From Water to Dirt
A brand best known for boats teams up with Textron for new off-road equipment.
Bass Pro Shops and Textron Specialized Vehicles have signed a memorandum of understanding to manufacture ATVs and side-by-sides under the Tracker Off Road brand.
The Tracker brand, part of Bass Pro Shops White River Marine Group, is best known for its Tracker boats, launched roughly 40 years ago.
Textron will produce the vehicles out of its operation in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The new lineups of machines will be available this spring and sold through boat dealerships Ranger, Triton and Tracker, independent dealerships and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s locations.
Initial model lineups to be available include ATVs (models 90, 300, 570, 700); side-by-sides (models PTV, EV, Prowler Pro, Prowler Pro Crew); the Wildcat XX; and Arctic Cat machines.
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The companies launched the new brand and partnership at a dealer and employee event at Bass Pro Shops headquarters, in Springfield, Missouri, in January. Celebrities Peyton Manning, Luke Bryan, Luke Snyder and Jimmy Houston were at the launch and drove some of the vehicles.
As part of the campaign, the Tracker boat and off-road vehicle branding will appear on the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry, driven by NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr.
PARTNERSHIP PLATFORM
“These models are really the first offering of what we’re going to provide for the partnership, but we’re very open to feedback on additional products that need to come in, and we’re going to continue to invest,” says Scott Ernest, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles.
“The Tracker brand is renowned and respected by lovers of the outdoors all over the world, and we are proud to design and manufacture this new line of side-by-sides and ATVs that will extend its reach and reputation into the off-road industry. These rugged, reliable and versatile vehicles are worthy of the Tracker brand and wear it with pride.”
Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris emphasizes the partnership provides for the Tracker Off Road brand to be made in the U.S.
“This is a big deal,” Morris said at the dealer event. “Textron was (importing) some off-road vehicles. No more as far as the Tracker brand. It’s going to be everything made in the USA.”
Morris believes the partnership is an opportunity to strengthen Bass Pro Shops and contribute to future growth.
“We’ve had a very proud past, but today is about leveraging on all of our past, our heritage, our brands, our reputation of trust … by striving to do the best every day by our customers.”
Tracker Off Road machines will serve as the official off-road vehicle of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Quality Deer Management Association.
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