Polaris Sri Lanka rides high on all-terrain vehicles
View(s):Polaris Industries Inc, the first off-road vehicle maker to enter the Sri Lankan market, will be establishing its footprint in the country in collaboration with IWS Leisure Pvt Ltd.
The two companies signed an agreement recently with the aim of popularisng and improving sales of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) in the next few years, Manager of Polaris Sri Lanka, Dinuke Abayakoon told the Business Times.
ATVs are defined as a motorised off-highway vehicles, designed for all kinds of terrain. In Sri Lanka such vehicles could be sold in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, disaster management and government departments for specific applications.
Polaris Sri Lanka is hoping for government and private sector orders for its ATVs following countrywide marketing campaigns.
It has already received several orders to supply ATV’s for public and private sector institutions, he said.
The company is targeting government sectors like the Ministries of Tourism, Defence, Disaster Management, Departments of Police and Forest as these vehicles can handle rough terrain like rocky mountains, forest areas and coastal regions.
ATVs will be a major attraction for tourism industry, mining and construction companies’ enterprising youth and wealthy persons as well as the estate sector superintendents and officials with a need and penchant for off-road driving, Mr. Abayakoon revealed.
Headquartered in Minnesota (US), Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe and its ATVs can also be used for, plantation, forestry, wild life, theme park for leisure and other connected activities.
Such off-road vehicles are useful for transportation of travellers in wild life and national parks such as Yala and Wilpattu, he disclosed.
As long as transport in Sri Lanka‘s remote rural areas remains difficult due to hilly, muddy and bumpy conditions, there would be a market for ATVs in Sri Lanka, he opined.
The company plans to discuss with the authorities of holiday resorts and hotels to promote adventure tourism with ATVs, he said adding that these vehicles would be useful to assist in relief efforts during flood situations.
Polaris Industries Inc is a global power sports leader that has been fuelling the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 60 years.
With annual 2017 sales of US$5.4 billion, Polaris’ innovative, high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles, the Sportsman and Polaris ACER all-terrain off-road vehicles and Slingshot motor-roadsters.
Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets globally includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles.
ATVs will be a major attraction for the tourism industry, mining and construction companies’ enterprising youth and wealthy persons as well as estate sector superintendents and officials with a need and penchant for off-road driving, Mr. Abayakoon revealed.
Sri Lanka is becoming a premium tourist destination he said adding that it will be a novel experience for tourists if hotels could provide them an ATV ride on beaches, rain forests, the hill country and wildlife parks.
These ATVs can be used for operational purposes such as transporting goods, staff in estates, etc. The Polaris ATV Models, which are coming from the US soon to Sri Lanka include the Polaris Phoenix 200, Sportsman 450 HO and Sportsman Touring 570 SP.