Bombardier Selling Evinrude/Johnson!!

[Sam Baker]

I apologize if this has already hit the board, but I didn't see any subject headings referring to it. Bombardier has decided to "divest" itself of the Recreational Products division which includes Evinrude and Johnson outboards as well as Ski-Doo Snowmobiles, Lynx Snowmobiles (Europe), Sea-Doo PWC and Boats, Bombardier ATVs and their snow grooming equipment manufacturer. This is from the press release regarding annual results from the Bombardier Website:

"ASSET DIVESTITURES

The Corporation has decided to divest its recreational products business as it is the most liquid asset in Bombardier's portfolio. The Corporation has retained UBS Warburg as financial advisors and Ogilvy Renault as its legal advisors for this transaction."

So, just as they get the thing going, they are getting rid of it. Maybe now Brunswick can come in and scoop up the whole thing! Since Bombardier stock is in the toilet, who knows.

[BarryStrawn]

There were a couple of threads when it was news -

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31601

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31583

I don't think Bomb will be selling cheap. The whole idea is to raise cash and keep their debts under control.

[T-REX]

Sam, why don't U buy Evinrude/Johnson...U kin hire Ghor ta be tha head ov Research and development, Hire Clienmark for tha test pilot...hire Ron V to head up public relations... and U kin keep up tha BS end ov tha bussiness:eek: ...Hell, Merkry might even pitch in to help ya purchase OMC, beinz that omc would never be a threat anymore!!...Hell, U could git back in race'in, run a OMC...That way U would alwayz have a good excuse for not winn'in...U might even talk Albee into repainting hiz boat to slow it down,(U no how fast ORANGE iz )so'z yo OMC powered botes can compete...maybe he would paint it white, that seemz ta be tha slowest color now...Juss ask 6Killer:D :D ...Oh well, U yankz have a good day, REX out!!:cool:

[delawarerick]

Rex with all due respect this coming from a man that blows pistons getting to the start line. Bring those black motors on to the rumble. Lets see if Delaware can make a decent showing. Rick:D

[T-REX]

Now Rick U no I gotta Chizler...When I git thru wit yo SLOMC, U gunna salute ever Mopar U pass on tha road, and git nausiated when U see a Chrysler O/B;) ;) ...See ya yankee dude:D ...Hope Surgery goes well!!!!....REX:cool:

[Raceman]

DR, I think you're bein' dowright unfair to ole' Rex. I think he made at least one full pass on all 6 in the last couple of years, although I kain't find anybody that witnessed it, and his motors always blow in the first couple hundred feet, NOT GETTIN' to the startin' line. Get yo stories right.

[Sam Baker]

It's good to hear from you Rex. Actually, I was thinkin' about going through with that and hiring you to be the VP of Design. But I didn't think the public was ready for an engine that had a coonskin cap for a hood and a gun rack on the back of the motor.:D

I figured this was out and about already, but I hadn't been on line in a while and didn't see anything on the opening page. I wonder who would be in the mood for something like Bomb. Rec. Prod.? Anybody want to take a guess?

Bombardier was the logical person to purchase Evinrude and Johnson when they went under, but I really don't have a clue as to who would come along and scoop up all of this.

Interesting to say the least. I hope whoever buys it gets rid of that V8 sized gearcase they have on the standard 200/225/250.

[Firestarter]

The Bomber family is looking to buy the Rec Div back..........as it is profitable (and the only profitable part of BBD) it stands to reason.
Word on the "street" is that Polaris Industries is considering a bid.

RT

[Raceman]

I always thought OMC lost a golden opportunity when Roger Penske was foxed out of the ownership. It'd be great for the company and for the sport if that interest could be re kindled.

I personally believe that a seperation from Bombardier is a big positive for OMC, assuming a quality owner steps up and throws the capital at it to support some innovation.

As far as dumping the big gearcase, I hope they dump all the styling of the newer engines. Looking at the displays at the Atlanta Boat Show this year they all looked like a heard of pregnant water buffalos. (and the Mercs aint much better) With the way they've fattened those cowls up, I was wonderin' if they hadn't been bought by Maytag.

[mk30h]

Actually, I like the new E-tec Syling - but agree with Raceman that new hoods on the V6 and even the little critters are bloated- and damn ugly. Stood beside a new 250- huge- must be lots of wasted space under the cowl. Merc is the same- both should go on a diet and quick.

As for the sale of the Rec Division - hmm
the engineering expertice came from Rotax and Ski-doo not the Train or Aeorspace divisons ( then again the V6 cowls may have come from the Train unit).

I hope entire divison sells intact, but Tellier may try and sell it piece by piece. If that happens there will be no shared engineering - so would cost more in the long run.

From my mind the best bet would be Harley- they understand the rec market- John Deere doesn't have much experience there except for thier old snowmobile line.

Maybe a Bomb family and Harley joint venture would play well. Both have family ties.

Outside chance- Japanese player- Susuki of Kawaski- just a gut feeling.

[Raceman]

Personally, I hope it's some American company or group with a CEO that cares about the boat hobby, or is at least a gearhead or gadget guy. Penske would've been great for that reason.

I've been a Mercury fanatic for 40 years, but think that present day Mercury is a prime example of what happens when the bean counters win out over the engineers. I sincerly hope that they can somehow regroup and adjust their priorities before it's too late. This spiraling price gouging that's escalated to it's present level over the last decade or so, is going to put the hobby out of reach for too many people. There's just no justifying gearcases that are 20 year old designs, with engineering/development/tooling costs being long since ammortized, listing for over 6K. The same is true for aluminum flywheels, plastic guide tubes for water tubes, and an endless list of other items. It's now WAY past charging what the market will bear. If these same guys were running GM, a new Chevy pickup truck would cost a quarter million bucks.

[Raceman]

Speaking of foreign motormakers, I've had some Huskavarna (like em, but can't spell it) stuff of one kind or another for a long time and always liked it. I've even got an old 125 Husky dirt bike that hasn't run in years, not to mention chain saws, brush saw, etc. Anyhow, I'm at Lowe's the other night looking for a backpack blower and there's a Husky display. It's the familiar orange color with all the logo and all, but the motor itself has a Kawasaki emblem on it.

[racer]

Current bid is reported to be 1.5 billion. I agree the seperation could be good as raceman mentioned

[Markus]

Husqvarna

[Raceman]

Thanks Markus. I forgot that y'all Swedish boys don't always use a U every Q. That's why I couldn't make it look right.