Can-Am engines are made by BRP Rotax, the Austrian engine division of Bombardier Recreational Products, the same company that owns the Can-Am brand.
Can-Am is known for its off road ATVs, side by side vehicles, and three wheeled Spyder and Ryker motorcycles.
Bombardier Recreational Products, commonly known as BRP, is a publicly traded Canadian company headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec.
Knowing who makes Can-Am engines helps buyers understand why Can-Am vehicles share engine technology with Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Sea-Doo watercraft.
This article covers Can-Am engine ownership, where the engines are manufactured, how the brand compares to other powersports makers, and answers to common Can-Am questions.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Can-Am Engines And Who Owns The Brand?
Can-Am is a brand owned by Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian powersports company headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec.
BRP also owns Rotax, an Austrian engine manufacturer that supplies engines across BRP’s entire vehicle lineup.
This means Can-Am engines share engineering with Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, and various light aircraft that also use Rotax engines.
Where Are Can-Am Engines Manufactured?
Rotax engines used in Can-Am vehicles are primarily manufactured at Rotax’s facilities in Gunskirchen, Austria.
BRP operates additional manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Finland to assemble complete Can-Am vehicles.
Can-Am’s Valcourt, Quebec headquarters remains central to the company’s design and engineering operations.
What Types Of Rotax Engines Power Can-Am Vehicles?
BRP Rotax supplies both traditional internal combustion engines and newer electric motor systems for Can-Am’s expanding lineup.
Can-Am’s electric Pulse and Origin motorcycles use the same Rotax electric motor platform found in the Outlander EV, its first fully electric ATV.
Rotax also supplies light aircraft engines to more than 250 aircraft manufacturers worldwide, giving it deep experience in high performance engine design.
A Brief History Of Can-Am And BRP
BRP traces its roots to L’Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitee, founded in 1942 by Joseph Armand Bombardier.
The Can-Am name first appeared on off road motorcycles in 1972 before the brand was reformed in 1997 to focus on ATVs and later the three wheeled Spyder.
BRP has continued expanding the Can-Am lineup with newer platforms like the Maverick R and a growing range of electric models.
Can-Am vs Polaris: Which Powersports Brand Is Better?
Polaris manufactures its own ProStar engines in house, while Can-Am relies on its sister company Rotax for engine supply.
Both brands compete closely in the ATV and side by side market, with enthusiasts often debating horsepower figures and suspension tuning between the two.
Can-Am’s access to Rotax’s aircraft grade engine expertise is often cited as a distinguishing factor in high performance models.
For a closer look at the competition, see our guide to where Polaris vehicles are made for more on Can-Am’s biggest US rival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can-Am Engines
Who makes Can-Am engines?
Can-Am engines are made by Rotax, an Austrian engine manufacturer owned by BRP, the same company that owns Can-Am.
Is Can-Am owned by Bombardier?
Can-Am is owned by Bombardier Recreational Products, a company that separated from the original Bombardier Inc in 2003.
Are Can-Am and Sea-Doo engines the same?
Can-Am and Sea-Doo both use Rotax engines, though the specific engine models are tuned differently for land and water use.
Does Can-Am make electric engines?
Yes, Rotax has developed electric motor systems used in the Can-Am Pulse, Origin, and Outlander EV models.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.