Polaris “Wins” Its Own Duel

Call it smart marketing or bogus hype, but Polaris chairman of the bored Tom Tiller declared victory in Polaris’ pretend head-to-head ATV duel to see which brand was really the toughest ATV.

Tiller was quoted as saying: “After granting an extension and issuing several requests to participate, the other manufacturers' CEOs have either declined or not responded at all, Regardless of the reason, I'm disappointed the other CEOs would not accept my challenge. Their unwillingness to participate proves only one company makes the world's toughest ATVs...and that company is Polaris"

Tiller had issued the challenge on October 9th via a letter to the CEOs of Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BRP and Arctic Cat. After not getting any of the manufacturers to accept by the October 20 deadline, Yeah, l,ike that was ever going to happen. P-l-e-a-s-e! Those CEOs didn’t get where they were by failing to recognize over the top marketing hyperbole.

In addition to claiming “toughest ATV” status, Tiller offered a prize donation of $10,000 through Polaris' T.R.A.I.L.S grant program to the non-profit ATV organization of the winner's choice. Since none of the CEOs accepted Tiller's challenge, Polaris will donate the $10,000 to an organization to be named later.

An allegedly disappointed Tiller was quoted to say: "I wanted to give the CEOs every opportunity to respond. I apologize to all the riders out there who were looking forward to 'The Duel.' No rider wanted it more than I did."

We’re in alligator tears here! — ©2006 Snowmobilia/Jerry Bassett