Indian Sales Boost Polaris in 2013

The reborn Indian brand is turning into a winner for parent company Polaris in a very short time. Having only introduced three Indian models in August – the Chief Classic, the Chief Vintage and the Chieftain – Polaris saw year-to-year motorcycles sales rise 94 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013. The company sold 68,778 bikes, up from 35,394 in 2012. That higher number included both Indian and Victory models.

In figures released yesterday, Polaris said motorcycles sales for all of 2013 totaled 219,819, up 12 percent from the 195,789 bikes sold in 2012. Dealernews.com quotes Polaris president and COO Bennett Morgan as saying the positive buzz for Indian has also fueled interest in Victory.

The trade journal also quotes Morgan as saying 140 Indian dealers have been signed up in North America, with roughly 60 already selling motorcycles, and that production is already being expanded at the company’s factory in Spirit Lake, IA.

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A story in “The New York Times” magazine by Adam Davidson, co-founder of “NR’s “Planet Money,” recounts how Harley-Davidson overcame the down times of several years ago to devise a more efficient company. He wrote:

“Harley’s very existence was in question in 2009. Today it is a manufacturing role model, and that has a lot to do with its workers. The average tenure of a line worker at the York plant is 18 years, and these workers are extremely devoted to the company.”

The story may be found here.