V-Twin News: Polaris Reports Third Quarter 2010 Results

Polaris reports third quarter 2010 results; sales increased 33% and earnings per share increased 46%

Company increases full year 2010 guidance

Third Quarter 2010 Highlights:

Sales grew 33% to $580.1 million and net income per share increased 46% to a record $1.37 per diluted share from last year’s third quarter, both exceeding Company expectations
North American retail sales for the Company increased 21 percent for the third quarter compared to the same period last year
Net income increased 51% to $47.2 million compared to the same period last year
Gross margin percentage increased 190 basis points to 26.0%, driven by lower product costs, favorable currency movements and pricing
Raising guidance for full year 2010 earnings to a record earnings per share range of $4.17 to $4.20 per diluted share, a 37% to 38% increase over full year 2009 on expected full year 2010 sales growth of 24% to 25%

MINNEAPOLIS (October 19, 2010) — Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today reported third quarter net income of $47.2 million, or a record $1.37 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. By comparison, 2009 third quarter net income was $31.2 million, or $0.94 per diluted share. Sales for the third quarter 2010 totaled $580.1 million, an increase of 33 percent when compared to $436.2 million recorded in the year-earlier period.

“We are pleased with the execution of the Polaris team and our Company’s performance during the third quarter,” commented Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chief Executive Officer. “While the economy and overall consumer demand remains weak, our growth continues to be fueled by innovative new products and our strong dealer network. It is rewarding to see our hard work pay off and be able to report 33 percent sales growth and record earnings per share for the quarter. The momentum we experienced during the first half of 2010 accelerated during the third quarter, as we saw continued market share gains, retail sales growth and margin expansion.”

2010 Business Outlook

As a result of its continued strong retail sales growth, Polaris now expects full year 2010 earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $4.17 to $4.20, which represents an increase of 37 to 38 percent when compared to earnings of $3.05 per diluted share for the full year 2009. Sales for the full year 2010 are now expected to grow in the range of 24 to 25 percent over full year 2009 sales of $1.57 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company expects total sales to increase in the range of 22 to 24 percent over the fourth quarter 2009. The fourth quarter 2010 expectations include incremental costs related to the manufacturing realignment and higher incentive compensation expenses compared to the 2009 fourth quarter. Fourth quarter 2010 earnings are expected to be in the range of $1.45 to $1.48 per diluted share, up 11 to 13 percent compared to earnings of $1.31 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009.

Wine commented, “The positive feedback on our product introductions from our July dealer meeting, coupled with our continued margin expansion and encouraging results from our recently expanded Max Velocity Program (“MVP”) go-to-market process, gives us confidence in our ability to finish the year with strong operating results. While we remain focused on extending the momentum experienced in the first nine months through the end of the year, our initial thoughts on 2011 are also quite positive. Our new product pipeline is strong and operational excellence continues to be a priority. I am confident we can continue to drive profitability with the goal of generating industry leading returns for our shareholders in 2011 and beyond.”

Off-Road vehicles (“ORV’) sales, which include sales of both ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and RANGER™ side-by-side vehicles, increased 49 percent during the third quarter 2010 from the third quarter 2009. This increase reflects significant market share gains for both ATVs and side-by-side vehicles driven by industry leading product offerings and the success of the MVP retail go-to-market process. The MVP program was expanded and made available to all North American ORV dealers beginning in the 2010 third quarter. During the third quarter, the Company began shipping several new model year 2011 ORV products including a mid-sized RANGER side-by-side with increased power, a 4-person mid-sized RANGER Crew and a RANGER with the Company’s first 24 horsepower diesel engine. In addition, shipments to Bobcat of the differentiated utility vehicle, which began shipping in the second quarter, accelerated in the 2010 third quarter. Polaris’ North American ORV unit retail sales to consumers increased approximately 20 percent for the 2010 third quarter from the third quarter last year, with side-by-side vehicle retail sales increasing significantly and ATV retail sales up in the mid-single digit percent range. North American dealer inventories of ORVs declined 30 percent during the third quarter compared to 2009 third quarter levels. During the third quarter of 2010 the number of ORV units shipped to dealers approximated the number of units retailed from dealers to consumers in North America. As the Company had done for the past four years, during the 2009 third quarter Polaris shipped significantly fewer ORV units to dealers than what was retailed from dealers to consumers in North America.

Sales of the On-Road division, which primarily consists of Victory motorcycles, increased 116 percent during the third quarter of 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009. The North American heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle industry remained weak during the quarter, but Victory continued to benefit from the actions implemented over the past year to accelerate growth. Victory unit retail sales were very strong during the third quarter, increasing more than 50 percent in North America compared to the third quarter of 2009, resulting in market share gains and retail sales growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. Demand increased across the Victory product line-up, particularly the new Cross Country™ and Cross Roads™ touring models. North American dealer inventory of Victory motorcycles declined 32 percent in the 2010 third quarter compared to 2009 third quarter levels. The sale of Victory motorcycles in markets outside of North America also continues to increase, with sales up over 100 percent for the 2010 third quarter compared to the same period last year.

Parts, Garments, and Accessories (“PG&A”) sales increased 12 percent during the third quarter 2010 compared to the same period last year primarily due to increased RANGER™ side-by-side vehicle and Victory motorcycle related PG&A sales.

Snowmobile sales decreased six percent during the 2010 third quarter compared to the third quarter of 2009. The third quarter 2010 decrease reflects the impact of a modest delay in shipments of snowmobiles closer to expected consumer demand in the winter season compared to the same period last year.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 26.0 percent for the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 190 basis points from 24.1 percent for the third quarter of 2009. Gross profit dollars increased 44 percent to $150.7 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $104.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. The increase in gross profit dollars and the 190 basis points increase in the gross profit margin percentage in the third quarter 2010 resulted primarily from continued product cost reduction efforts, production volume increases, and favorable pricing and foreign currency movements compared to the third quarter of last year. These increases were partially offset by manufacturing realignment costs, an increase in commodity costs and higher sales promotion costs.

Operating expenses for the third quarter 2010 increased 38 percent to $87.1 million, or 15.0 percent of sales, compared to $63.2 million, or 14.5 percent of sales, for the third quarter of 2009. Operating expenses in absolute dollars for the third quarter 2010 increased primarily due to higher incentive compensation plan expenses driven by the higher expected profitability for 2010 and the recent higher stock price. Incremental investments in growth initiatives also contributed to higher operating expenses.

Income from financial services was $4.1 million during the third quarter 2010 compared to $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Gain on securities held for sale was $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2010 resulting from the sale of the Company’s remaining investment in KTM Power Sports AG during the quarter.

Non-operating other income was $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2009. The income is the result of foreign currency exchange rate movements and the resulting effects on foreign currency transactions related to the international subsidiaries.

Manufacturing Realignment

Execution of the previously announced manufacturing realignment is underway and remains on schedule. The realignment will consolidate manufacturing operations into existing operations in Roseau, Minnesota and Spirit Lake, Iowa and a new facility in Monterrey, Mexico. Construction is underway on the new facility in Monterrey and the building is expected to be completed in the first half of 2011. The Company expects to record pretax transition charges to its income statement in the range of $22 million to $25 million and incur capital expenditures of approximately $35 million over the next few years related to the implementation of the manufacturing realignment. The Company expects to realize pretax savings in excess of $30 million annually when the transition is completed. The exit costs and startup costs pertaining to the realignment for the full year 2010 have increased slightly and are now expected to be in the range of a total of $11 to $12 million. During the 2010 third quarter, $2.4 million of exit costs and $1.3 million of startup costs were incurred, which are reflected principally in cost of sales on the income statement.

Financial position and cash flow

Cash and cash equivalents increased significantly to $264.5 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $72.8 million at September 30, 2009. Borrowings under the credit agreement were $200 million at September 30, 2010 and 2009. The Company’s debt-to-total-capital ratio was 40 percent at September 30, 2010, compared to 53 percent at the same time last year. Net cash provided by operating activities for the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2010, totaled $156.9 million, a 53 percent increase compared to $102.5 million for the same period last year. Higher net income and lower working capital investments for the 2010 year-to-date period compared to the same period last year are the primary reasons for the increased cash provided by operating activities. The Company paid dividends during the first nine months of 2010 totaling $39.5 million, compared to $37.6 million in the first nine months of 2009, at a rate per share in 2010 that is slightly higher than last year’s per share rate.

Conference Call and Webcast Presentation

Today at 9:00 AM (CT) Polaris Industries Inc. will host a conference call and webcast to discuss Polaris’ 2010 third quarter earnings results released this morning. The call will be hosted by Scott Wine, CEO, Bennett Morgan, President and COO, and Mike Malone, Vice President Finance and CFO. A slide presentation and link to the audio webcast will be posted on the Investor Relations page of the Polaris web site at www.polarisindustries.com/irhome approximately 30 minutes before the conference call begins.

To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 800-374-6475 in the U.S. and Canada, or 973- 200-3967 Internationally. The Conference ID is #50082189.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call for a one-week period by accessing the same link on our website, or by dialing 800-642-1687 in the U.S. and Canada, or 706-645-9291 Internationally.

About Polaris

With annual 2009 sales of $1.6 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets offroad vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER™, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use and has recently introduced a new on-road electric powered neighborhood vehicle.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ORVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years are making in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.

Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII”, and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.

Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including management’s expectations regarding 2010 sales, shipments, net income, net income per share, manufacturing realignment transition costs, savings in logistical and production costs and managements’ initial view of 2011, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as the Company’s ability to successfully implement its manufacturing operations realignment initiatives, product offerings, promotional activities and pricing strategies by competitors; warranty expenses; impact of changes in Polaris stock price on incentive compensation plan costs; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; effects of the KTM relationship; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of weather; commodity costs; uninsured product liability claims; uncertainty in the retail and wholesale credit markets; changes in tax policy and overall economic conditions, including inflation, consumer confidence and spending and relationships with dealers and suppliers. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any duty to any person to provide updates to its forward-looking statements.