Powersports Equipment Manufacturers NAICS 336999

Oct 28, 2025 - PWCs Drive Growth in Powersports Market

• The personal watercraft (PWC) market is reshaping the powersports industry by attracting new entrants through affordability, versatility, and evolving consumer preferences, according to a new report in Boating Industry. With entry-level models from Yamaha and Sea-Doo starting under $9,000, PWCs are outpacing aluminum and pontoon boats in first-time buyer adoption. Innovations in touring, fishing, and group connectivity, such as touchscreen displays and customizable accessories, are expanding use cases and boosting engagement. Sea-Doo’s focus on fishing PWCs and Yamaha’s investment in youth-oriented models reflect a broader shift toward multi-purpose watercraft. As sustainability gains traction, brands are exploring alternative power sources, signaling long-term transformation. For powersports dealers and manufacturers, these trends present growth opportunities in sales, service, and customer education.
• Transportation equipment manufacturing, which includes powersports equipment 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 the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the US Department of Commerce has expanded Section 232 tariffs to cover more than 400 additional product categories that include steel or aluminum. The products face a 50% tariff on their metal content, as of August 18, 2025. Scott Schloegel, MIC Senior Vice President of Government Relations, noted that the powersports industry depends on high-quality steel and aluminum for frames, engines, components, and accessories. He said the expanded tariffs may impact manufacturers’ bottom line and may prevent them from selling particular vehicles in the US. The MIC had opposed the expanded tariffs and had requested that powersports industry products be excluded. 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 (MIC) 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 Bill Savino, MIC board member and director of Powersports National Sales at American Honda Motor Co., said he felt the industry is still healthy despite the dip in sales, noting, "While Honda has seen a small dip in two-wheel sales, especially among smaller bikes, our 50th Anniversary Gold Wing and other larger-displacement models are doing quite well, as are our four-wheel powersports models." Major manufacturer Yamaha reported its motorcycle sales were on pace with its forecast in the first quarter, while sales of competition and off-road bike sales remain higher than pre-COVID.