The new 2017 Prowler 500 from Arctic Cat begins shipping this month.

The new Arctic Cat HDX 700 Crew XT for model year 2017 also ships this month.

Arctic Cat recently reported their financial results for the fiscal year 2016 third quarter. For the quarter net sales declined 14.3%, in part driven by currency headwinds and the timing of vehicle shipments compared to the prior year’s third quarter.

The following are highlights of the earnings call as it relates to the UTV/side-by-side market.

• Sales of ATVs and ROV side-by-sides decreased 28.5% to $60 million from $83.9 million in the year ago quarter, in part driven by shipment timing
• Softening of the overall ATV/ROV(side-by-side) retail market is a contributing factor in management’s lowering of fiscal year 2016 guidance
• Management continues to emphasize improving their dealer network with additional training, marketing programs and performance metrics
• Arctic Cat is planning to add 75 dealers in the next 12 months after adding 10 in the last three months
• This month the company begins shipment of their new 2017 HDX 700 Crew and Prowler 500
• Compared to the prior year third quarter, total ATV, ROV unit retail sales in the fiscal 2016 third quarter rose mid-single-digits versus an industry that was flat to slightly down
• Management has decided to create a world-class research and development center in St. Cloud, and one focus will be to improve their engine technology
• Management admitted that Wildcat vehicle sales have been hurt by their comparatively lower horsepower but that the 2017 models will “correct” that problem

Learn more:  Seekingalpha.com (Earnings call transcript)