Source: Extreme Energy Solutions decided to retire the Sidewinder ATV product; redirects its efforts to increasing its portfolio of innovation in the area of emissions reduction technology.
Boise, Idaho, September 29, 2015
You may have seen its unique design tear up the trails side by side of traditional all-terrain vehicles, or maybe you sighted one of these vehicles at a trade show; or maybe you had the spotted a Sidewinder ATV in the back of a pick-up truck as it traveled down the highway. If that is as close as you got to the Sidewinder ATV, from Extreme Off-Road LLC, then that is most likely the closest you may ever get to one of these vehicles.
Extreme Energy Solutions Inc., the parent company of Extreme Off-Road LLC, the entity that builds and sells the Sidewinder ATV, has announced that it will be retiring the product line effective of October 1, 2015. The Company has pledged all of its future efforts toward technology, products, and services that aim to reduce harmful toxic emissions while providing the side benefit of fuel efficiency.
The Sidewinder ATV first started out as a student project at Brigham Young University Tech Students, whom took on the task to design a personal sport off-road vehicle which incorporated safety features not yet standard in the industry, while also creating a vehicle that would be fun to drive. They teamed up with a local fabricator and advisement of Extreme Energy Solutions and then the Sidewinder ATV was born.
Extreme Energy Solutions took over the product/brand in 2012, and attempted to make a run of the product, offering it to the recreational vehicle market. The market received the vehicle with mixed results. Some drivers whom tested the vehicle enjoyed its low center of gravity and ability to tackle light to medium trail use. Others say it lacked the power you might find associated with a racing four wheeler vehicle.
Extreme Off-Road sold a number of these vehicles, including the original production models; however the demand was never great enough to produce these vehicles at a high quantity. The Sidewinder ATV base model sold for just under $5000 ($4995); which some of the upgraded models would command up to $6995. Options the Sidewinder ATV offered were first responder (police, fire, ems) packages which included being retrofitted with Fox Shocks, larger Subaru engine, custom cages and equipment racks, and first responder light bar packages.
With the parent company’s focus on emissions reduction and green technology, the Sidewinder ATV could not receive the full attention it needed for it to hit the market in a larger capacity. Extreme Off-Road LLC sold its final available units this past September 2015. Resources and staff once dedicated to the Sidewinder ATV product line will be re-allocated toward expanding product and service offerings within the emissions reduction and green technology sector.
“The Sidewinder ATV was a quality product which prioritized safety and rider comfort,” added Samuel K. Burlum, CEO and President of Extreme Energy Solutions Inc., “The unfortunate situation is that the market makes its primary decision based on price, not quality when it comes to these types of vehicles.”
“We were unwilling to compromise on the features and benefits in which made the Sidewinder ATV unique; for it would have undermined the many safety qualities the product offered. As a result we were not as competitive as we had hoped.”
The Sidewinder ATV website and logo are still out there on display until the end of 2015. Sidewinder ATV owners whom purchased vehicles from Extreme Off-Road LLC can still receive product support for their vehicles until the end of 2015, at which time the brand and entity will be surrendered. Sidewinder ATV vehicle owners are encouraged to call the parent company, Extreme Energy Solutions Inc., for any parts or service inquiries they may have.
Extreme Energy Solutions, Inc. plans to find a suiter for Extreme Off-Road LLC, which would include the intellectual property and design of the Sidewinder ATV.
“We still feel this is a great product for someone to manufacture and market, if it is there core focus and they are passionate about this area of recreational specialty vehicles. This type of thing would be a great fit for a business in the American Southwest where there is open riding country and people are always experimenting with designs in the niche space,” concluded Burlum.
Extreme Energy Solutions 