Powersports Business June 2026 | Page 8

8 • June 2026 • Powersports Business

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Polaris Q1 shows tighter inventory and continued utility demand

Polaris Inc. opened 2026 with first-quarter results that point to improving dealer inventory balance, stronger margins, and continued demand in utility segments, even as recreational sales remain uneven.
The company reported Q1 sales of $ 1.66 billion, up 8 % year-over-year, coming in ahead of expectations.
“ We delivered a strong start to 2026 … continued share gains in ORV and Snow, and meaningful margin expansion despite a dynamic macro environment,” says CEO Michael Speetzen.
INVENTORY ALIGNMENT IMPROVES Polaris said its efforts to match production with retail demand are showing, and dealer inventory levels are“ healthy,” with improved balance between current and non-current units. Snowmobile inventory,
Polaris reported Q1 sales of $ 1.66 billion, up 8 % year-over-year, coming in ahead of expectations.
in particular, is down more than 50 % from a year ago.
“ We remain committed to the alignment of build, ship and retail,” Speetzen said in the April 28 earnings call.“ Our inventory at dealers is in a good spot.”
Lower inventory pressure also reduced the need for aggressive promotions during the quarter.
UTILITY CONTINUES TO OUTPERFORM North American ORV retail sales increased 3 %( excluding youth), with Polaris gaining market share for the fourth straight quarter.
“ Utility remains strong … recreational continues to be challenged,” Speetzen confirms.
Utility vehicles now account for about 70 % of the company’ s ORV revenue. Polaris also pointed to growing demand
DEALER FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT tied to large-scale job sites such as data center construction.
See Polaris, Page 9

NORTHWEST-0.3 % Parts Department-1.7 % Service Department 4.8 % Major Units 3.6 % Overall

WEST-2.5 % Parts Department 3 % Service Department 2.2 % Major Units 1.9 % Overall

UNITED STATES

2.2 % Parts Department 5.3 % Service Department 7 % Major Units 6.4 % Overall

MIDWEST

3.9 % Parts Department 7 % Service Department 10.9 % Major Units 10.1 % Overall

SOUTH

2.9 % Parts Department 5.1 % Service Department 5.4 % Major Units 5.3 % Overall

NORTHEAST

6.7 % Parts Department 9.6 % Service Department 10.9 % Major Units 10.5 % Overall
APRIL 2026 VS. APRIL 2025
In April, dealers nationwide had a 6.4 % increase in combined sales compared to the same month last year, according to composite data from more than 1,900 U. S. dealers that use Lightspeed DMS. In major unit sales, both the Midwest and the Northeast had 10.9 % increases. The South gained 5.4 %, while the Northwest and West gained 4.8 % and 2.2 %, respectively. In services, the Northeast spiked 9.6 %, followed by the Midwest, which gained 7 %.
Also in the black were the South, up 5.1 %, and the West, up 3 %. The Northwest was down 1.7 %. In parts sales, the Northeast had the largest increase at 6.7 %, followed by the Midwest and the South, up 3.9 % and 2.9 %, respectively. The Northwest was down just. 3 %, and the West dropped 2.5 %. For combined sales, both the Northeast, 10.5 %, and the Midwest, 10.1 %, had double-digit increases in April. The South gained 5.3 % for the month, with the Northwest, 3.6 %, and the West, 1.9 %, were also up.
PARTS SALES Parts revenue was up at 1053 dealerships and down at 930
SERVICE SALES Service revenue was up at 1096 dealerships and down at 822
MAJOR UNIT SALES Major unit revenue was up at 1022 dealerships and down at 752
FOR MORE ON THE SAME STORE SALES DATA
For more information on this report and other industry data, contact: lightspeeddms. com