Reply To: Evinrude Motors RIP

[Don]

Seems like BRP made many of the mistakes that OMC did. Buying up boat companies to lock in outboard sales, lack of advertising, etc. The original OMC bankruptcy left so many dealers and owners stranded, resulting in understandable resentment for the brand. So, even if the newer engines were the best ever, existing resentment would not be easily overcome. That being said, it appears as though BRP didn’t even make a reasonable attempt to market Evinrude in a way that might help overcome the dealer/owner resentment. Evinrude’s decision to avoid the four stroke band wagon probably didn’t help either. I am still a believer in two stroke technology, but the four stroke stuff has been successfully marketed to the consumers by Evinrude’s competition.
Admittedly, I have not kept up with the newer engines technically. But, they appear somewhat “over-engineered”, which usually results in lower reliability and more difficult service procedures.
Evinrude really needed a big cash investment to make needed engineering and marketing improvements, and BRP has given up, or perhaps does not have the cash needed. This is a sad day indeed, am hoping the lucrative parts business will not be given up on….