History of Polaris®
Polaris has a long and impressive history in the powersports industry. It’s no wonder so many people have come to love vehicles made by this iconic brand. Keep reading to learn more about the past, present, and future of Polaris. When you’re ready to check out some Polaris® models for sale, contact Nielsen Enterprises and we’ll take you through our inventory. We are located in Lake Villa, Illinois and proudly serve Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin too!
Founded by Outdoorsman
At the end of World War II in 1945, the production of metal was at a high. At the time, Hetteen Hoist & Derrick was a small company that made one-of-a-kind machines for farmers. Work was seasonal and the men behind the company were extremely outdoorsy. They wanted an easier way to traverse great distances in snow so they could hunt and fish. This is why they created their first functional snowmobile! What started as a personal project soon grew in popularity around the region.
Expansion and Growth
By 1960, the company had been renamed Polaris and was a rapidly growing business. They started by offering transport vehicles, but eventually expanded into sport rigs. After selling to Textron, growth continued into the 1970s until a recession hit Polaris and the rest of the industry hard. By the end of the decade, only three manufacturers in this market were left.
Innovation and Adaptation
Polaris was facing a potential shutdown and liquidation. Instead of selling the company, the then president W. Hall Wendel Jr., led a buyout of Polaris and quit Textron. With only 100 workers, the company started up again, this time with a focus on innovation. Polaris strove to improve designs with each new model they produced. In 1984, they burst into the ATV market, which had been dominated by Japanese companies. A few years later in 1990, Polaris became the first major US powersports manufacturer to release a personal watercraft line.
The ability to adapt to change has played a major role in keeping customers coming back. With every new venture, the brand has focused on creating durable, stable, and safe machines. Involvement in the community has also helped the organization stay up to date with what customers want and need in their powersports vehicles. When other similar companies failed, Polaris rose to the occasion and kept fighting. Today, the brand is an extremely well-recognized and respected name in the powersports industry and beyond.
Are you ready to ride away on a brand new Polaris® vehicle? At Nielsen Enterprises, we have a great selection of Polaris® products for sale. Stop by our Lake Villa, Illinois location today and our team will help you out. From Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we’re here to help you with all of your powersports needs!