Off-Road Vehicle Market

Market Overview

The global off-road vehicle market size was valued at USD 15.4 billion in 2021. It is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 22.49 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

ATVs and UTVs were mainly used for sports and leisure activities. These vehicles are now utilized in the agricultural industry, and for patrolling, hunting, gardening, and other tasks, as their applications have evolved through time. Manufacturers are also attempting to promote the use of electric ATVs and UTVs.

Because most ATVs and UTVs are not allowed to be operated on highways and other main roads, government authorities across the world have boosted budgetary allocations to develop new off-road paths that may be useful for leisure enthusiasts and stimulate adventure sports activities in the area. This is expected to grow the market under investigation.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increase in Penetration of AWD and 4WD Vehicles

Due to operational circumstances—off-road vehicles are designed to operate on rugged terrain—end users expect better output efficiency and optimum performance in high-end driving activities. Additionally, most producers of off-road vehicles are working on these drive systems to meet shifting consumer demands. Additionally, end consumers' demand outlook has evolved more in favor of increased comfort and driving dynamics. Off-road cars with four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are becoming more popular due to evolving consumer demands that allow them to function on rugged terrain. The adoption of AWD and 4WD utility vehicles has grown significantly recently, and this trend is predicted to continue in the years to come. This is expected to promote the expansion of off-road vehicles.

Government Initiatives and Increasing Outdoor Adventure Park

Off-road vehicle demand is rising quickly because additional safety features may be incorporated into new off-road vehicles due to stricter regulatory oversight and new testing criteria, increasing the market's potential for growth. New measures being taken by governments could increase the market for off-road vehicles. Government officials have boosted the budgetary allotments for the construction of new off-road paths, which may benefit recreational enthusiasts and improve the popularity of adventure sports in the area. Countries are developing new off-road parks, which will undoubtedly help youthful ATV and UTV users increase the scale of their commercialization.

In March 2021, the Grand Prairie City Council approved the specific use permit for Lone Star Off-Road Park. The site is an outdoor amusement park for off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, including Jeeps, and off-highway vehicles. The growing number of off-roading competitions in the North American region as the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) organizes various dedicated ATV series, like ATV Motocross National Championship Series and ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series. This racing series will further increase the share of Americans who own an ATV in the coming years.

Market Restraint

Restriction of ATVs on Public Roads

Though ATVs are popular adventure vehicles mainly in North America, some states in the United States and Canada do not allow their usage on most public roads, streets, or highways. This is due to many ATV-related injuries and fatalities reported in just the United States. For instance, the "Annual Report of ATV Related Deaths and Injuries 2020" estimates 524,600 injuries treated in emergency rooms between 2015 and 2019 based on data from five off-highway vehicles and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and NEISS (an annual average of 104,900 injuries). These product codes cover ATVs, ROVs, UTVs, and perhaps some other unspecified off-highway vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation classified ATVs as motor vehicles that are not permitted to be used on significant roadways due to all the above statistics. They can only be used in cities and rural areas in some states. Their use is restricted to specified routes with explicit mention of the authorization for operation in several major cities and suburbs.

Canada increased the severity of the penalties for using ATVs to combat forest fires. If violators' vehicles are discovered to be lacking a spark detector, they may be subject to a fine of USD 460 or an administrative penalty of up to USD 10,000. In case of a forest fire caused by the vehicles, the operator can even receive a court order fine of USD 1 million. All these factors may deter the growth of the market studied. However, the number of ATV-related fatalities is significantly decreasing with stringent regulations.

Market Opportunities

Developments in the Electric UTV and ATV And Shift in the Interest of the Buyers

In past years, many companies introduced their electric lineup. Still, the limited range of the lead-acid version, the high price of the lithium-ion version, and the low demand forced the companies to stop the production line. However, after the electric revolution in passenger cars, various off-road vehicle companies introduced their electric off-road vehicle lineup over the past few years. For instance, Nikola Motors, an American hybrid truck design company, introduced Nikola NZT electric UTV. The NZT boasts up to 590 hp. From 0 to 60 mph, the car accelerates in just 3.5 seconds. The NZT boasts 722 lb-ft of torque and 14.5 inches of ground clearance. This one is one of the most cutting-edge electric UTVs on the American market.

Furthermore, the development is visible in the mature market, and electric vehicles are under development in small markets like India. For instance, in August 2020, in India, Powerland Agro Tractor Vehicles unveiled the electric ATV in 2019. They said in a statement that the company's all-electric lineup of ATVs and side-by-sides was ready for export to the U.S. and selected European markets. With a 14kWh battery pack, Powerland's e-UTV has a range of 150km in Eco mode in testing. The company claims a charge time of eight hours from empty on the supplied 15A wall charger and up to 80% charge in an hour using a 14kW charger. Thus, the developments mentioned above in the electric UTV and ATV and the shift in the buyers' interest are likely to drive the demand for electric off-road vehicles over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global off-road vehicle market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

The North American segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period. In 2021, the North American market (United States, Canada, and Mexico) had a very successful year in terms of sales. The sales of ATVs in the region jumped by around 33%. The region's ATV market is being driven by rising leisure spending and an increase in off-roading competitions. The main drivers of the industry's expansion are the youth's growing demand for adventure and off-road activities, as well as the accessibility of a wide selection of goods at various price points. Major regional firms are introducing new products to the market. For instance, Polaris unveiled its new 2021 lineup in August 2020. The company updated its ideas and released the Sportsman 450 H.O. and 570 types of ATVs for riders of all skill levels. The 2021 lineup includes the first RANGER XP 1000 Trail Boss, the GENERAL XP 1000 Pursuit Edition, and the most recent RZR XP Turbo and Turbo S from the RANGER series. Government initiatives and the growing interest of young people in leisure activities are expected to drive the market for off-road vehicles in the area over the projected period.

Europe is the second largest region. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. In Europe, the demand for off-highway ATVs is negative, and in 2020, sales declined 31% and now stand at nearly half of five years ago. However, several major players are launching the latest technology products in the region to gain market share. The market is well-regulated, and the authorities are working very hard to reduce the number of accidents that involve off-highway vehicles. On January 2016, the new E.U. type-approval frameworks for respectively "two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles" (L-category) and "agricultural and forestry vehicles" (T-category) entered into the force. These regulations will replace the current directive-based homologation system. ATVEA actively participated in the discussions about these two new regulations during a three-year-long legislative process. As a result, the homologation of both utility and recreational All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Side-by-Sides (SBS) will be regulated by Regulation (E.U.) 167/2013 (T) and Regulation (E.U.) 168/2013 (L). With the trends mentioned above and regulations, the market is expected to grow with a promising CAGR over the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is the third largest region. Looking at the growing demand for off-highway vehicles, several established players and other new players in the automotive sector are entering into manufacturing these vehicles to gain market share and enhance their revenue streams. For instance, China's Great Wall Motor announced in March 2021 that it would introduce a fresh, independent brand for its off-road vehicles. In 2019, Powerland, an Indian company, introduced Powerland 900 D, an SKD (semi-knocked down) kit from Linhai in China, and then locally assembled them in Goa. The agricultural vehicle registration notwithstanding, this vehicle can be registered as a private vehicle. Also, the state police of Uttar Pradesh used 4x4 ATVs of Powerland to patrol the Kumbh Mela event in the state. Militaries in the region include all-terrain vehicles in their units for easy transportation in hilly and mountain areas. Apart from the points mentioned above, the increasing average age of vehicles on the road is expected to hinder market growth, as people tend to opt for aftermarket driveshafts for their old vehicles.

Segmental Analysis

The global off-road vehicle market is segmented by vehicle type, application, and region.

By vehicle type, the global off-road vehicle market is segmented into All-terrain Vehicle (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicle (UTVs). The all-terrain vehicles segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. The ATV market is expanding quickly as vehicle manufacturers develop more and more end-use applications for ATVs. Growing public interest in sports and leisure activities has been identified as a critical element propelling the market. The market for all-terrain vehicles is expanding further thanks to the manufacturer's ongoing efforts to produce various eco-friendly vehicle types. Due to changes in the laws and policies that control and set criteria for the usage of ATVs, the market share of ATVs is anticipated to increase steadily. The changes above and trends suggest that the ATV market will expand rapidly.

The Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) segment is the second largest. The demand for UTVs, also known as side-by-side (SxS), increased significantly over the last two decades. The application of UTVs has expanded from practical activities to sports and other areas, like agriculture and turf. These vehicles have also gained popularity in off-road recreational activities. Their ability to operate in rough terrains is boosting the market for UTVs, and it has augmented their use in defense and military operations. Additionally, the significant load-carrying capacity and quick mobility of UTVs on firm terrain make them quite valuable for border security and counterterrorism operations in coastal regions. With the trends mentioned above and developments, the ATV market is expected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period.

By application, the global off-road vehicle market is segmented into sports, agriculture, and other applications. The sports segment accounted for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period. Currently, many professional racing championships and series are being conducted across North America. The Grand National Cross-Country Series, ATV National Motocross Championship, and Championship Mud Racing are a few such events where different ATVs and UTVs are used. Hence, racing clubs procure different types of sports vehicles to prepare for these kinds of events. This drive the market studied. Vehicle manufacturers are ramping up their portfolios frequently to stay relevant in the market. For instance, In October 2019, Kawasaki launched a new side-by-side sports UTV. Arctic Cat and Polaris are the few other brands poised to launch new variants soon. The market mentioned above activities is expected to drive the sports segment over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• August 2022 - Godfrey Pontoons, a well-known producer of pontoons with long-lasting quality and exceptional craftsmanship, unveiled the Mighty G as a new model for 2023. One of Godfrey's most recent inventions, the Mighty G, is the company's first pontoon that was made specifically to run on gas or electricity.
• September 2022 - Tyler O'Hara persevered in rainy circumstances throughout the weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park to place second in the Main Event, collecting the necessary points for Indian Motorcycle Racing and S&S® Cycle to win the 2022 Mission King of the Baggers (KOTB) Championship. For O'Hara and the Indian Motorcycle Racing-S&S team in the increasingly well-liked MotoAmerican bagger-racing class, this is their second KOTB Championship in three years.