Where Are Arctic Cat ATVs Made

Arctic Cat has spent more than sixty years building snowmobiles and ATVs in the same small Minnesota town, a rare consistency in an industry that has consolidated heavily. The brand just went through a major ownership change.

Arctic Cat ATVs are made in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and the company was sold by Textron to former executive Brad Darling and an independent investment group in April 2025.

So who actually makes Arctic Cat ATVs today and are they worth buying in 2026? This guide covers the ownership change, the Minnesota factory and honest owner feedback. Read this before you buy.

Who Owns Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat was purchased by Textron in 2017, but that ownership ended in April 2025 when former Arctic Cat executive Brad Darling and an independent investment group acquired the brand from Textron.

According to Powersports Business, Darling was named CEO and President under the new ownership, framing the sale as a renewal of passion for the Thief River Falls brand.

Darling also leads ARGO, the amphibious vehicle maker, though the press release specifically states ARGO does not have a stake in Arctic Cat and the two companies operate independently.

Where Are Arctic Cat ATVs Made

Arctic Cat ATVs are made in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where the company has operated for more than sixty three years as a fixture of the local economy.

Textron had announced plans to shut down Thief River Falls operations and sell the brand in late 2024, but production has since resumed under the new ownership group.

One year after the acquisition, Powersports Business reported that Arctic Cat marked its first anniversary under new ownership with a focus on growth and product development, confirming Thief River Falls manufacturing has continued into 2026.

A Look At Arctic Cat History

Arctic Cat was founded in the 1960s in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, building its reputation first on snowmobiles before expanding into ATVs and side by sides.

The brand went through several ownership changes over the decades, eventually being acquired by Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc in 2017, which invested in new engine and chassis technology including the Arctic Cat 858 C TEC2 engine, according to Powersports Business.

The 2025 sale to Brad Darling ended the Textron chapter and returned Arctic Cat to leadership with deep roots in the brand, since Darling spent seventeen years at the company before his departure.

Arctic Cat ATVs And The Ownership Transition

The sale to Darling and his investment group came after a difficult period, since Textron had shut down new production at Thief River Falls in 2024 while continuing to honor warranties and produce aftermarket parts.

The new ownership framed the deal around continuity, emphasizing that Thief River Falls has been a permanent fixture of the community for over sixty three years and pledging to extend the brand positive momentum.

Buyers researching Arctic Cat in 2026 should understand they are buying from a newly independent company rather than a division of a large conglomerate, which changes the long term outlook for parts and support. Our Tracker UTVs guide covers the closely related Textron built brand that shared the same factory.

Arctic Cat ATVs Warranty And Customer Support

Arctic Cat maintained warranty and parts support through the Textron ownership transition and continues to do so under the new ownership group.

The company operates through an established dealer network built up over decades, giving Arctic Cat owners a level of service infrastructure that newer brands lack. Our Can Am ATVs guide shows a differently structured but equally established dealer model.

Owner reports during the ownership uncertainty in 2024 described some anxiety about long term parts availability, though the 2025 acquisition and continued 2026 production have eased those concerns considerably.

Arctic Cat Compared To Other ATV Brands

Against Polaris and Can Am, Arctic Cat competes as a value oriented alternative, generally pricing below both major brands for comparable displacement.

Against Tracker Off Road, Arctic Cat shares the same Thief River Falls production line and much of the underlying engineering, differing mainly in trim and retail channel.

Against Honda, Arctic Cat offers more aggressive performance specs, while Honda trades on decades of unmatched reliability reputation.

Is Arctic Cat ATV Really Good

Owner sentiment on Arctic Cat has been cautiously optimistic since the 2025 ownership change, with long time owners relieved the brand survived the Textron divestiture.

Engineering quality draws genuine praise, particularly the newer engine platforms developed during the Textron years, which owners generally consider a high point for the brand.

Value is a consistent theme, since Arctic Cat has historically priced below Polaris for comparable performance, an advantage the new ownership has maintained.

The main concern among owners is stability, since a newly independent company carries more uncertainty than a division of a large publicly traded conglomerate.

For buyers comfortable with that transition risk, Arctic Cat in 2026 represents a genuinely interesting story, a legacy Minnesota manufacturer given a fresh start under leadership with deep ties to the brand.

Arctic Cat ATVs Frequently Asked Questions

Where Are Arctic Cat ATVs Made

Arctic Cat ATVs are made in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where the company has manufactured vehicles for more than sixty three years.

Who Owns Arctic Cat Now

Arctic Cat is owned by former executive Brad Darling and an independent investment group, who purchased the brand from Textron in April 2025.

Did Arctic Cat Stop Making ATVs

Production paused briefly during the 2024 Textron divestiture but resumed under new ownership, with Thief River Falls manufacturing confirmed active into 2026.

Is Arctic Cat A Good ATV Brand

Yes, Arctic Cat remains a good value ATV brand in 2026, though buyers should factor in the recent ownership transition when considering long term support.