THE ROTAX EXPERIENCE

ECUs and then sent the ECUs at a later date for dealers to install. Behind the scenes, this created a paperwork nightmare with international shipping and customs regulations, but in the end, dealers got their product – even if it was in two shipments with some assembly required. Gebetshuber says this allowed BRP to gain market share because the vehicles continued to ship without interruption.

Assembly Agility

Rotax incorporates efficiency into its assembly process. The line can shift from producing a V-Twin over to an inline triple and then to a light aircraft engine with no delays. Switchovers take place within hours of the shift changes with no deadtime. This means, for example, that the final V-Twin might roll off the line with an inline triple coming right behind it.

Electric Vehicle Innovation

Electric motor technology continues to work its way through Rotax product lines. Rotax E-Tec motors first appeared in karts about six years ago and then spread to Ski-Doos in 2024, motorcycles and, new this year, to the 2026 Can-Am Outlander ATV.

Gebetshuber says that Rotax will continue to keep the technology in-house( battery, motor, inverter, software) so it can be ready for any future development. He says that Rotax pays attention to the voice of the consumer to know what technologies and products will be competitive.

Rotax didn’ t invent the E-Drive technology, but it adapted

Mario Gebetshuber, right, became general manager of BRP-Rotax in 2024.

the technology for powersport use. Gebetshuber says that Rotax has been a fast follower and adopter of cutting-edge technology for decades.

This holds true, Gebetshuber says, for the dilemma of battery recycling and disposal. Rotax uses common round cell batteries. He believes that someone will solve this issue before Rotax electric batteries reach the recycling stage, which will be about five to 10 years after other common batteries reach the recycling stage.

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