American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 172 November 2013 | Página 12

Polaris reports sales growth of 25 percent OLARIS Industries, the parent company of both Victory Motorcycles and Indian Motorcycles, has reported record third quarter net income of $116.9 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The figures are up 24 percent and 23 percent, respectively, from the prior year’s third quarter net income of $94.3 million, or $1.33 per diluted share. Sales for the third quarter 2013 totaled a record $1,102.6 million, which represents an increase of 25 percent over last year’s third quarter sales of $879.9 million. Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chairman and CEO, said: “Our record third quarter results reflect both the ongoing demand for our existing products and the potential contained within the initial shipments of our model year 2014 vehicles, the largest new product introduction in the Company’s history. In the third quarter, we launched more new vehicles than in any previous model year, led by the much anticipated debut of Indian Motorcycles along with several innovative variants of Rangers, RZRs ATVs and Victory motorcycles. dditionally, to complement and enhance our consumers’ experience with these vehicles our PG&A business introduced over 300 new model year 2014 accessories plus an expanded apparel line-up. While the new model year 2014 vehicles and accessories are just now arriving at dealers in meaningful quantities, the initial feedback has been extremely positive from consumers to the trade magazines. To receive such accolades is alw ays gratifying, but we realize that we must remain focused on achieving the full market potential of these recently released new products while continuing to develop the next wave of industry leading products.” P A Wine added, “Though much of our effort was focused on successful product launches, we also achieved a number of financial milestones during the 2013 third quarter, including eclipsing the quarterly $1 billion sales mark for the first time in Polaris’ history. Our international business performed exceptionally well, up 38 percent during the quarter despite a weak economic environment. Part of the international growth came from our most recent acquisition, Aixam Mega, an important addition to our expanding Small Vehicles portfolio.” ales for the Motorcycles division, which includes both Victory and Indian motorcycle sales, decreased six percent to $49.4 million in the 2013 third quarter compared to the same period last year. The decrease in the 2013 third quarter sales is due to Victory dealers continuing to calibrate their inventory levels under the new ‘Retail Flow Management’ order taking process, which closely ties dealer shipments with retail sales, and weaker international motorcycle sales, partially offset by a limited number of model year 2014 Indian motorcycles that began shipping late in the quarter. Victory North American consumer unit retail sales were strong for the 2013 third quarter, increasing over 30 percent compared to a year ago. The overall Industry performed well also, as North American industry heavyweight S cruiser and touring motorcycle retail sales increased about 20 percent during the 2013 third quarter as compared to the prior year’s third quarter. The much anticipated re-launch of Indian Motorcycle occurred during the 2013 third quarter with the introduction of three all-new model year 2014 Indian Chief models: the Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, and the Chieftain. North American motorcycle dealer inventory increased slightly over 2012 levels due to an increase in the Victory dealer count and initial shipments of Indian motorcycles. ross profit across Polaris Industries was 30.4 percent of sales for the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 90 basis points from the 2012 third quarter. Gross profit dollars increased 29 percent to $334.8 million for the third quarter of 2013, compared to $259.8 million for the third quarter of 2012. The increase in gross profit, both in terms of absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales, primarily arose from continued product cost reduction efforts and higher selling prices, offset somewhat by higher promotional costs. Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2013 increased 31 percent to $165.2 million compared to $126.4 G million for the third quarter of 2012. Operating expenses in the third quarter of 2013 increased primarily due to higher sales and marketing costs related, in part, to the Indian Motorcycle re-launch. ncome from financial services increased 42 percent to $11.7 million during the third quarter of 2013 compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2012, due to increased profitability generated from the retail credit portfolios with Sheffield, GE and Capital One and higher income from the dealer inventory financing through Polaris Acceptance. Equity in loss of affiliates was $0.6 million for the third quarter 2013, which represents the Company’s portion of the start-up costs related to the Polaris/Eicher joint venture in India established in 2012. Other income, net was $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared to $4.0 million in the third quarter of 2012. The income generated in the third quarter in both 2013 and 2012 came as a result of foreign currency exchange rate movements and the resulting effects on foreign currency transactions related to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. I www.polarisindustries.com Third Quarter Performance Summary (in thousands except per share data) Three Months ended September 30 Product line sales Motorcycles Total Sales Gross profit Nine Months ended September 30 2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change 49,372 52,384 -6% 151,041 160,395 -6% $1,102,649 $879,939 +25% $2,693,358 $2,309,135 +17% $334,785 $259,785 +29% $803,771 $671,497 +20% Operating expenses $165,163 $126,445 +31% $428,202 $351,574 +22% Operating income $181,293 $141,567 +2% $408,816 $343,548 +19% Net income $116,921 $94,345 +2% $272,389 $224,246 +21%