Caterpillar plans to enter competitive side-by-side market in partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles

Willie Vogt

October 16, 2017

2 Min Read
NOT A CAT: This image is from a recent Textron Off-Road media kit, showing a Stampede machine in action. Caterpillar promises new features in its collaboration with the utility vehicle maker.

The side-by-side utility vehicle market remains a solid performer, or it must be, since more companies are entering the business. Earlier this year New Holland announced it was entering the business and now comes news that Caterpillar will also be marketing a utility vehicle.

Both companies are partnered with Textron Specialized Vehicles.

Caterpillar announced its arrangement noting that the UTV machines would be offered through participating Cat dealerships starting in 2018. Caterpillar is ramping up its consumer products side, though UTVs have plenty of job site application as well. Late in 2016 the company rolled out consumer level generators with a range of industry-leading features.

In the statement announcing the new deal, Steve Schoening, product manager, said the company will offer a machine that serves the existing market and new customers. "Cat utility vehicles will offer exceptional performance and stability at full load, superior reliability, and a quiet, spacious operator environment," he said.

Textron Specialized Vehicles markets machines to serve a range of industries under a number of brand names including Cushman utility vehicles, Textron Off-Road side-by-sides and all-terrain vehicles, Arctic Cat snowmobiles, Jacobsen professional turf equipment and E-Z-Go golf cars.

While no pictures are available of the new machine, Caterpillar did release basic specs that future customers need to know. The new machine will feature a steel cargo bed and will be able to carry up to 1,000 pounds of material and tools. The machines will also offer the ability to two up to 2,000 pounds. In addition, the company noted that the Cat design will provide "ample headroom and legroom for tall riders."

Schoening added that the new UTVs will have easy-to-access service points for maintenance, and customers "can rely on unmatched service and support offered by participating Cat dealers to keep their UTVs working at peak performance."

More details about the new machine, and it's new looks, will be available soon. We'll keep you posted.

About the Author(s)

Willie Vogt

Willie Vogt has been covering agricultural technology for more than 40 years, with most of that time as editorial director for Farm Progress. He is passionate about helping farmers better understand how technology can help them succeed, when appropriately applied.

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