By chris officer Associate Editor
Eric Moritz started in the car business before making the transition over to powersports, and in doing so, he brought along some of his automotive savvy to his new venture, incorporating strategies that have shot up sales of off-road machines that are starting to resemble trucks more than side-by-sides.
Moritz and his dad were both in the auto industry before purchasing a Chevy dealership in Bizmark, North Dakota, almost 30 years ago, and converting it into Moritz Sport & Marine.
When his father retired in 2020, some of Moritz’s friends who owned car dealerships in the area took over the shares, integrating even more of the automotive philosophy into the dealership.
“The powersports business is about five years behind the auto industry. In technology, somewhat, but just how the business is run,” Moritz says. “Powersports is slowly following auto, but still hasn’t caught up. But the industries are very similar, especially now with the new side-by-sides that are coming out. One key adjustment was ensuring customer service was covered from every angle. This includes meetings with the sales manager, services and finance team, and accessories specialists. And this all happens at the sales desk, where customers are more comfortable. Moritz says he aims to streamline the sales process, making it a full-service dealership, where customers don’t just walk out with a unit, but with all the bells and whistles that go along with it.
“We’re focusing on the whole process — sales, service, P&A. We want to keep the customer as a long-term customer. Car dealers do a really good job at that. Our biggest thing is that we get the accessories they want when they purchase the machines,” he says.
The dealership’s largest revenue generator — aside from its marine sales — is from Can-Am side-by-sides, specifically the full-cab Defenders. Before the Defenders dropped roughly 10 years ago, Moritz says the dealership was selling anywhere between 10 to 15 new units a year. Today, it sells around 300 new units a year, bringing in about $10 million annually from side-by-side sales alone, and that’s not including the 200 to 300 used ATVs and UTVs it sells.
Also indicative of the dealership’s growth in its UTV segment is the number of Can-Am techs currently staffed — 12 — double the number Moritz employed just a few years ago.
“It keeps busy all year, a couple of slow months in the winter, but we’re steady all year round. The UTV business has been a good complement to our company,” Moritz says.
The covered cab side-by-side sales growth also has a lot to do with the evolution of the machine. Now with heating and cooling systems and optional street-legal kit packages, the higher-end side-by-sides resemble more of a truck than a UTV. And with off-highway vehicles legal to drive on paved roads — excluding highways —in North Dakota, Moritz says customers are using the machines for transportation as much as they are for utility uses.
“We’ve seen a lot more interest in people wanting to buy them to drive around town,” Moritz says. “Especially the new cabs, because with the heating and air conditioning systems they have in them now, it’s like driving a car. Once we add the signals, horn, mirrors, and license plates to them, it’s legal to drive them throughout the whole state.”
Moritz expects his side-by-side sales to stay strong, and he is optimistic about new releases, like Can-Am’s brand-new Defender that’s completely updated from the ground up. He says it sounds like availability will be good and inventory shouldn’t be a problem. He commends Can-Am on its ordering structure, where orders can be placed monthly rather than annually, making it easy to adjust quickly if the market changes. Moritz did express some apprehension over pricing, however, with some side-by-side units with certain options and accessories approaching MSRPs you’d typically see on automobiles.
“Pricing is starting to become a concern,” he says. “These machines are getting close to $50,000 for some of these side-by-sides, so it’s an investment.”
Moritz also says he’s keeping an eye on the electric UTV segment, especially after Can-Am debuted the Outlander Electric ATV this summer, but has held off for now, largely due to limited range, charging infrastructure, and the investment it takes to train technicians and buy new tools.
“We’ve had customers inquire about it, but as it is with our current volume, I think we’re going to wait on electric,” he says. “Charging infrastructure is still not quite there yet, but it’s slowly getting better. The car dealerships around here are all-in on electric because the manufacturers push it, but I think we’re going to wait.”
Argo, known for its commercial 6- and 8-wheeled amphibious XTVs and the Sasquatch XTX, announced the XU 850, its newest commercial-use side-by-side.
The new XU 850 features seating for three — six people in the XU 850 Crew — a 1,000-lb rear cargo box, and 12.5 inches of ground clearance. It is powered by a four-stroke, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, and delivers 48 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded suspension system provides control and comfort, even with a full load, while its 2,000-pound towing capacity and 4,500-pound winch equip operators to handle utility challenges.
It comes commercial-jobsite ready with the standard heavy-duty rear cargo headache rack, full-coverage roof, windshield, beacon light, horn and back up alarm. The 12-inch steel rims and 25-inch tires makes it capable of tackling a wide variety of terrain.
The Argo XU 850 draws inspiration from the Arctic Cat Prowler UTV, and the two companies connected recently when Argo CEO Brad Darling was a lead investor in the acquisition of Arctic Cat from Textron. Darling was an executive at Arctic Cat prior to his work with Argo.
The company says the MSRP will start at $19,699.
Through its Outdoor Access Initiative, Yamaha employees gathered at key off-highway vehicle recreation sites in California and Georgia to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27.
This is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands, where thousands of volunteers come together to restore and preserve public lands and waters.
In California, 40 Yamaha employees met at the Pinnacles OHV staging area in the San Bernardino National Forest. Yamaha staff in Georgia were among the 20 volunteers at the Houston Valley OHV trail system on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The Yamaha team worked alongside U.S. Forest Service personnel and local trail organizations, including the Southern California Mountains Foundation and the Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association, to complete essential conservation and facility improvement projects.
“The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has invested more than $8 million in over 550 projects over the past 18 years, but our commitment goes beyond funding,” says Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports marketing director.
“Our National Public Lands Day volunteer efforts demonstrate how Yamaha employees are personally invested in protecting access and promoting responsible recreation across America’s public lands.”
Volunteers helped plant native grasses and cacti to restore natural habitat and prevent erosion.
During the OAI-organized volunteer days, Yamaha employees completed vital conservation and facility improvement projects:
Planted 90 native grasses and 30 cacti to restore natural habitat and prevent erosion
Mulched and irrigated to help establish the new plantings
Revitalized recreation facilities through painting restroom facilities and trash receptacles
Repaired fencing to protect sensitive areas and maintain trail boundaries
Cleared trails of encroaching vegetation and fallen tree limbs
Tackled trail surface rehabilitation and erosion control
Performed maintenance and repair on trail signs to improve wayfinding and safety
National Public Lands Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday in September, with an aim to protect, improve, expand, and maintain access for safe, responsible, and sustainable public land use.
Polaris Off-Road’s official kickoff to dune season, Camp RZR, returns Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 with the OEM setting the stage for a weekend at California’s Glamis Imperial Sand Dunes, the largest off-highway vehicle recreation area for dunes in the U.S.
Polaris says Camp RZR showcases its leadership in the off-road world and the RZR lifestyle with high-octane fun, shared experiences, and deep-rooted pride in off-road culture.
“Camp RZR is our way of giving back to the incredible off-road community — the passionate individuals who’ve shaped this lifestyle,” says Reid Wilson, president of Polaris Off-Road Vehicles. “It’s a celebration of the culture they’ve created, and we’re excited to bring everyone together in Glamis for a weekend of action, connection, and everything we love about riding.”
Camp RZR is free to attend and offers RZR demo rides, free on-site vehicle service, food trucks, shopping at vendor row, and kids zone. The drone show will return this year, along with a Freestyle Moto Show featuring Twitch and Vicki Golden.
New in 2025, Polaris will host the Camp RZR Witching Hour to celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and a costume contest on Oct. 31. Also debuting this year, the Tough Enough Obstacle Course will challenge attendees’ strength, agility, and endurance through a series of physically demanding obstacles with courses designed for adults and kids five years and older.
Dodge Ram will also be at the event with the Ram 1500 RHO Thrill Ride, a ride-along experience where professional drivers take attendees on a high-octane adventure in Ram pickups.