Motorcycle and Bicycle Manufacturers NAICS 336991

Oct 28, 2025 - Polaris Divests Majority Stake in Indian to Private Equity

• According to a report in iMotorbike, Polaris is divesting its majority stake in Indian Motorcycle to private equity firm Carolwood LP, positioning the iconic brand for independent operation in 2026. While Polaris retains a minority interest, the move allows Indian to chart its own strategic path under new CEO Mike Kennedy, a former Harley-Davidson executive. For the motorcycle sector, this transition signals potential shifts in brand positioning, innovation, and competition. Indian Motorcycle is expected to maintain the majority of its existing sales, service, and support network following the transition. Polaris acquired the Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011.
• Transportation equipment manufacturing, which includes motorcycle and bicycle manufacturers, is one of the 11 manufacturing industries reporting contraction in September’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. Transportation equipment manufacturers reported growth in order backlogs, increases in raw materials prices and inventories, and faster supplier deliveries, while reporting a decline in new orders, a decrease in production, and lower employment. Other manufacturing industries reporting contraction during the period were Wood Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products. Five industries reporting growth were Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. Overall, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the seventh consecutive month in September, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 49.1%.

• According to a Jalopnik report, an expansion of the Trump administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs to cover more than 400 additional product categories may cause the prices of imported motorcycles to skyrocket. The newly added product codes include selected motorcycles, mopeds, and motorcycle parts. The products face a 50% tariff on their metal content, as of August 18, 2025. One challenge of the expanded tariff is determining what percentage of an item is made with the targeted materials, which increases the compliance burden. One German e-bike maker, Riese & Muller, paused all e-bike shipments to the US in August, citing unpredictable tariffs. The Trump administration has said the tariffs support the revitalization of the American steel and aluminum industries.
• The Q1 2025 report from the Motorcycle Industry Council revealed a sales decrease of 7.8% of new motorcycles and scooters among leading brands year over year, despite strong sales in certain other segments, according to Dealernews. Industry officials said some unusual weather, such as snow in Florida, may have also had an impact on sales. According to Anthony J. Kestler, VP, Sales and Marketing at Kawasaki Motors Corp., "There continues to be uncertainty in the market regarding forthcoming tariffs and their impact on powersports OEMs and customers. The US motorcycle market is down in the first four months of 2025, but Kawasaki has realized strong retail results in overall motorcycle sales." Another top motorcycle manufacturer, Yamaha, reported its motorcycle sales were on pace with the company’s forecast in the first quarter of 2025 while sales of competition and off-road bike sales remain higher than pre-COVID.