Textron stops manufacturing at Arctic Cat

Textron announced it is exploring “strategic alternatives” for its powersports product line due to persistent weak demand; that line includes Arctic Cat snowmobiles, ATVs and UTVs. Textron also makes the Jacobsen line of turf products, EZ-Go and Cushman vehicles, plus Cessna jets and Bell helicopters.

Our friends at leading snowmobile enthusiast website Snowgoer.com reported: 

“For months, chatter online and among industry insiders has focused on brands like Argo, CF Moto, John Deere, Yamaha and many others who in theory could be interested in Arctic Cat – both for its current products and for its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, Minnesota. At this point, though, all of those names of potential suitors for Arctic Cat have been dropped purely as speculation, with few if any hard facts behind any of it.”

In a letter to dealers, Textron wrote:

“Arctic Cat will suspend manufacturing operations indefinitely at our facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, Minnesota, after planned production in the first half of 2025 is complete. Textron Inc. also announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives regarding the future of the powersports business. These actions are difficult but necessary as we have continued to experience softness in consumer end-market demand, resulting in a need to reduce costs. We remain open for business with respect to selling current inventory and providing aftermarket support and services to our existing installed customer base. 

“Our sales organization, customer service teams, aftermarket distribution centers, and other functions are ready to assist you and your customers. We are committed to providing the service and support to keep our thousands of loyal customers riding and enjoying Arctic Cat vehicles. We will resume production as planned after the new year to produce units under existing customer commitments. However, once that build is completed, we will suspend manufacturing operations indefinitely. We will monitor industry conditions throughout this period, and make further announcements about our operational plans when we have more information to share. 

“Arctic Cat will continue to sell model-year 2025 snowmobiles throughout the year. Production of future model years will depend upon the outcome of Textron’s evaluation of strategic alternatives for the business. If you have any questions about this news, please contact your Arctic Cat territory sales representative. We appreciate our relationship with you, and your commitment and loyalty to Arctic Cat.”