Bombardier Recreational Products Unveils the Bombardier ATV Traxter? Prototype

Feb. 14, 1998 By Press Release
Valcourt, February 14, 1998- Bombardier Recreational Products has today unveiled the prototype of an all-new, all-terrain vehicle: the Bombardier ATV Traxter™ model, offering high-end performance for both utility and recreational riders alike. The Traxter model marks the company's first entry into the burgeoning ATV market.

The Traxter was unveiled before an audience of 2,000 gathered in Valcourt for Club Ski-Doo® 1999, the annual get-together and sales meeting for Ski-Doo dealers and distributors from around the world.

The Bombardier ATV opens a new chapter in the company's longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation. With the Traxter, Bombardier has virtually reinvented the ATV, offering advanced mechanics and an ergonomic design for easier handling and more comfort than ever before.

The moment you look at the Traxter, you can tell it heralds a new era in ATVs. The breakthrough innovations on the Traxter include a new Rotax® engine built specifically for ATVs, and the industry's first "Step-Through" design for easy mounting and dismounting.

The Traxter also has a 5-speed transmission with high/low range so you can go into the gear you need....when you need it. All it takes is a push of the button on the handlebar. And Traxter auto-locking front differential means true all-wheel drive with traction on all four wheels. Bombardier ATV also sports the largest fuel tank in the business and an impressive amount of storage space inside.

"We're especially proud to be launching our very first model, the Traxter, in a market as healthy as the ATV sector," says Alain Brunelle, president, Snowmobiles and ATV, Bombardier Recreational Products. "Our move into the ATV market is a perfect extension of our capabilities and proven leadership. The Bombardier ATV reflects our commitment to the design and innovation for which all of our recreational products have become known. People will see that our ATV is another great Bombardier vehicle for quality leisure time and for those who already drive ATVs, the Traxter is sure to be a big draw. Fishermen, hunters and anyone working outside will soon discover the big difference Bombardier can make."

The Traxter prototype shown to the media and snowmobile dealers today was designed, manufactured and assembled by multi-disciplined teams at the Bombardier plant in Valcourt. Intensive product trials are already underway to ensure that this top-of-the-line product exceeds the needs of the fast-growing ATV industry.

The first Bombardier ATV will go on sale in the fall of 1998. It's got a future full of promise, in a market that just keeps on growing. In North America, retail sales of ATVs hit 382,000 units last year, up 8% over 1995 when 354,000 were sold. They even exceeded motorcycle sales (382,000 new ATVs versus 374,000 cycles and scooters in all categories.) A sophisticated marketing plan will introduce the Traxter in carefully planned stages. The prime goal will be to maximize customer satisfaction at all times. Dealers will also be given comparable level of support they enjoy for all other Bombardier recreational vehicles.

"The arrival of the Traxter also marks a new marketing strategy that directly aligns our recreational products with the Bombardier name," according to Bombardier Recreational Products president and COO Pierre Beaudoin. "This is the first time that one of our recreational models will actually use "Bombardier" as its brand name. In this case, "Traxter" will be the model name. As always, the Bombardier name is a pledge of quality and high-tech innovation."

Bombardier Recreational Products designs, develops, builds, distributes and markets Ski-Doo® and Lynx® snowmobiles, Sea-Doo® watercraft and jet boats, NV™ neighborhood vehicles and Bombardier all-terrain vehicles. Snowmobiles, marine products, and ATV are powered by Rotax® motors that are designed and built by Bombardier-Rotax, which also builds motors for motorcycles and scooters. Bombardier Recreational Products recorded revenues of $1.9 billion for the last financial year ended January 31, 997.

Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation engaged in design, development, manufacturing and marketing activities in the fields of transportation equipment, aerospace, and recreational products. It also provides financial services and services related to its products and core competencies. The Montréal-based Corporation operates plants in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, employing 46,000 people. Bombardier's revenues for its last fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 totaled $8 billion Canadian dollars, and more than 85 percent of its revenues are generated in markets outside Canada.


®™Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Information:

Marie-Claude Chalvignac
CONCORDIA
Telephone (514)282-1100
Fax (514) 282-0439


 

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