Yamaha Motor and John Deere are teaming up to develop future side-by-side vehicles, creating a new relationship between two major off-highway equipment manufacturers that could have significant implications for the utility SxS market.
The companies announced Oct. 6 that they have entered into an agreement covering the joint development and mutual supply of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs). Yamaha will contribute its powertrain and vehicle design expertise, while John Deere brings vehicle development capabilities, U.S. manufacturing expertise and customer insights.
For powersports dealers, the announcement could eventually mean new products entering the side-by-side market under one or both companies’ existing brands and dealer networks. Specific future products, launch timing, and production details have not yet been announced.
“We are excited about this relationship and the opportunities it creates for Yamaha, John Deere, our dealers, and most importantly, our customers,” says Dean Burnett, president of Yamaha Motorsports USA. “Together, two trusted global brands can accelerate innovation and bring greater value to the market.”
Jon Chase, vice president of John Deere’s Turf and Compact Utility Business Unit, said the companies share a commitment to quality, innovation and strong dealer networks.
“This collaboration will enable us to develop differentiated products that excite customers and create meaningful value,” Chase adds.
The companies said the effort will target the growing utility segment of the ROV market, where customers increasingly are looking for a combination of comfort and work capability. That focus puts the relationship squarely in one of the most competitive areas of the SxS business, where manufacturers target customers who use vehicles for both recreation and work.
Yamaha and John Deere said they intend to address a broader range of customer needs while expanding their respective market opportunities. The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the companies in the low-speed mobility (LSM) business.
Both companies emphasized that they will retain their respective brands, dealer networks, sales channels and customer relationships.
That means the announcement does not indicate that Yamaha dealers will begin selling John Deere products, that John Deere dealers will begin selling Yamaha products, or that either company’s existing SxS lineup will be replaced. Instead, each company is expected to continue operating through its established commercial network as future products emerge from the agreement.
For powersports dealers, the eventual impact will depend largely on what those products look like, where they are manufactured and how they are positioned within each brand’s lineup.
Yamaha brings extensive experience developing powersports vehicles and powertrains, including its Viking, Wolverine and other SxS platforms. The company operates a nationwide U.S. dealer network serving the motorcycle, ATV, side-by-side and personal watercraft markets.
John Deere brings experience in agricultural, construction, turf and utility equipment, along with vehicle development and U.S. manufacturing capabilities. Its dealer network gives the company significant reach among customers who use utility vehicles for agricultural, property-maintenance and work applications.
The two companies therefore bring complementary expertise and customer bases to the project. For Yamaha, John Deere offers additional insight into work-oriented applications and customers. For John Deere, Yamaha provides established powersports vehicle and powertrain expertise.
The companies specifically highlighted John Deere’s U.S. manufacturing capabilities as part of the agreement. Neither company disclosed where future products will be manufactured (although Yamaha recently announced it was ending its in-house SxS production in Newnan, Georgia) or whether existing Yamaha or John Deere facilities will be used.
They also did not disclose whether the companies will engineer complete vehicles together, supply individual components to one another, or use a combination of approaches. Yamaha’s announcement described the agreement as covering “joint development and mutual supply initiatives” in the ROV segment, suggesting the relationship could extend beyond a single vehicle.
The announcement comes as the utility side-by-side market remains a major battleground among powersports manufacturers, with customers increasingly using SxS vehicles for both recreational and work applications.
The Yamaha-John Deere deal could eventually bring new products aimed directly at that crossover, potentially giving each company additional ways to compete in the utility market. The immediate impact on dealership floors, however, is limited because no specific vehicles have been announced.
Both companies said additional details about future products will be announced at the appropriate time.
Honda announced the return of two popular sport ATVs, including the entry-level TRX250X and the youth-focused TRX90X, both virtually unchanged for the 2027 model year.
Powered by a 229cc air-cooled engine and equipped with Honda’s SportClutch system, the TRX250X is designed for newer riders aged 16 and up.
It features a lightweight double-cradle steel chassis, independent double-wishbone front suspension, and a rear swingarm with monoshock suspension. The only change is to its colorway, which now comes in Racing Blue. MSRP is $5,549 — just a $150 increase from the 2026 model.
Honda’s youth ATV, the TRX90X, returns unchanged and is an ideal machine for young, inexperienced riders to build confidence and skills, combining manageable performance with strong safety features. Honda says its construction, power delivery, and user-friendly operation create a reassuring experience for riders and their supervisors. MSRP: $3,599. Both 2027 models will be available by November.
Denago Powersports has surpassed 225 dealers nationwide and introduced its E-Hawk 10 electric ATV prototype at the Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa, California, as the company continues to expand its dealer network and product lineup.
The E-Hawk 10 made its first public appearance at the event, where Denago displayed its full lineup of powersports vehicles. The company said the electric ATV is scheduled to enter production for the 2027 model year. Denago also showcased a customized version of its RanchHawk 650FI 4×4 utility terrain vehicle, highlighting potential aftermarket modifications for customers interested in overlanding and outdoor recreation.
“The RanchHawk is an amazing utility vehicle with loads of features and capabilities beyond its rivals,” says David Garibyan, general manager of Denago Powersports. “We believe its affordable $10,000 MSRP leaves room in the budget for customers to modify their vehicles according to their tastes and uses.”
The customized RanchHawk features larger tires, Alpine Style driving lights and a Kurmt Overland bed rack adapted from a pickup truck design. The rack supports a folding tent, traction boards, a fuel container, a shovel and a portable camping shower. The cargo bed also houses a three-drawer Milwaukee Packout tool case and a 32-quart refrigerator/freezer powered by a 12-volt system.
Garibyan said the project began with tire and lighting upgrades before expanding into a more extensive overland-style build. “There’s a lot more to come from our UTV platforms,” he notes.
Denago’s fall event schedule began in September at Sno Barons Hay Days in Minnesota, where dealer East Central Sports displayed the company’s dirt bikes and ATVs. Denago reported that more than 75 attendees purchased vehicles during the event.
The company subsequently exhibited its lineup at the Sand Sports Super Show before partnering with Excite Motorsports for a display at the Big East Powersports Show in Syracuse, New York, and ending with the Overland Adventure Show in Pomona, California.
Denago will be making an appearance at SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 3-6. During SEMA, Denago says it plans to exhibit in the show’s new Powersports Pavilion, featuring the customized RanchHawk, the E-Hawk 10 prototype and another vehicle the company has not yet announced. SEMA’s public day is scheduled for Nov. 6.
The company’s expanding dealer network comes as Denago continues to promote its new model lineup, including utility vehicles, ATVs and dirt bikes, to
consumers and prospective dealers at events all around the country.
Arctic Cat is diversifying its model offerings after it announced that Argo Xtreme Terrain Vehicles — known for its amphibious off-road machines — will officially join the Arctic Cat family.
Arctic Cat has steadily grown its powersports portfolio since it was acquired in April 2025 by investors and Argo president and CEO Brad Darling. Since then, the Arctic Cat and Argo teams have worked together to evaluate the best long-term strategy for both brands, their dealers and customers.
And after 18 months since the acquisition, Arctic Cat and Argo are taking their collaboration efforts to the next level, as the two are aligning their operations to strengthen product availability, enhance dealer support and create new opportunities across North American and international markets.
“Arctic Cat is ready and excited to welcome the Argo XTV lineup of amphibious vehicles to the family,” says Brad Darling, president and CEO of Arctic Cat.
“This unique line of off-road products complements Arctic Cat’s strong lineup of snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides, while expanding the solutions we can offer to dealers and customers who rely on capable vehicles for work, recreation and adventure.”
Production of Argo XTV will continue in Canada to support Canadian and international markets. However, for the U.S. market, all Argo vehicles will be manufactured and assembled at Arctic Cat’s Thief River Falls, Minnesota, facility starting in late 2026.
Moreover, Argo service parts will transition to Arctic Cat’s North American distribution center in Bucyrus, Ohio, helping ensure timely support for dealers and customers across the worldwide network.
In addition to increased product availability, Arctic Cat and Argo XTV dealer partners will benefit from the support of one organization, with streamlined processes, coordinated communication, and a shared commitment to supporting the full dealer and customer experience.
To see the full 2027 Argo XTV new model lineup, new engine packages and updated features, visit arcticcat.com.
Massimo is expanding its powersports vehicle offerings through a new retail program that will increase its product offerings across the Ace Hardware network.
Massimo products have been available at independently operated Ace Hardware locations, but now the two companies are working to increase the number of Ace retailers carrying its vehicles.
As part of that effort, Massimo recently participated in an Ace Hardware event in Orlando, Florida, where the company presented its powersports products and retail programs directly to Ace representatives and store owners.
Ace Hardware operates more than 5,000 stores in the U.S. and represents one of the country’s largest networks of independently owned neighborhood hardware retailers.
“Working with individual Ace stores has already demonstrated to us that there is a natural fit between the Ace customer and Massimo’s product portfolio,” says Quenton Petersen, CEO of Massimo Group. “The next opportunity is to take what we have learned at the individual-store level and build a scalable program that can be presented to a much broader group of Ace retailers.”
Massimo has also submitted a dedicated 2026 holiday retail program that provides participating Ace stores with select Massimo products for the Black Friday and Christmas selling periods.
Massimo says the Ace initiative aligns with its strategy of expanding relationships with retailers whose customer demographics overlap with the company’s core powersports, outdoor recreation, agricultural and utility markets.