Textron Buys Arctic - Cat

finalized its acquisition of Arctic Cat Inc. on March 6, 2017 , in a cash deal valued at approximately $247 million ($18.50 per share). The acquisition was structured as a short-form merger, making Arctic Cat a subsidiary of Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc..

The division faced struggles with inventory, dealer support, and market pressures, leading to a production suspension in late 2024 and 2025. 2025–2026: The "Return" of Arctic Cat

Textron, known for defense and industrial products, aimed to expand its specialized vehicles segment (E-Z-GO, Cushman) by adding Arctic Cat's snowmobiles and ATVs. textron buys arctic cat

On April 24, 2025, Textron announced it sold the powersports business to an investment group led by former Arctic Cat executive (and then-Argo CEO) Brad Darling .

Initially, the Arctic Cat brand was temporarily rebranded to "Textron Off Road" before reverting to the iconic "Arctic Cat" name for ATVs and side-by-sides. Manufacturing operations remained in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, Minnesota. finalized its acquisition of Arctic Cat Inc

Textron invested in product development, including the Wildcat XX side-by-side.

Following the acquisition by the investor group, Arctic Cat rehired staff and resumed operations in Minnesota in mid-2025. The division faced struggles with inventory, dealer support,

In January 2026, Arctic Cat announced its acquisition of Widescape , a Canadian manufacturer of stand-up enduro snowmobiles.