Management Transitions at Polaris Poise Company for Strong Growth

    Business Editors/Automotive Writers

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2005--Bennett Morgan, president and chief operating officer, Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII) has announced the promotion of several members of the management team to new positions, effective immediately. Until his promotion today, Morgan had been vice president and general manager of Polaris' All-Terrain Vehicle division since 2001.
    Mike Dougherty is replacing Morgan as general manager of the ATV Division. Dougherty joined Polaris' International Division in 1998, and in 2000 was named Director of Polaris Europe. In 2002 he was named general manager of international operations, and since then has more than doubled international revenue, growing net operating profit by 300 percent and unit sales by more than 65 percent. In his new role, Dougherty will be responsible for Polaris' largest division, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of the company's sales annually.
    Mike Jonikas, formerly general manager of Polaris' Utility Division, has been appointed general manager of sales & marketing. In 2001, Jonikas joined Polaris as marketing director for the ATV division. He was promoted to head the Utility Division in 2003, and has since been responsible for substantial and consistent growth with the RANGER product line. Jonikas is replacing Ken Sobaski, who has served as vice president of sales, marketing and service since 2001. Sobaski is leaving to pursue other opportunities. "We wish Ken Sobaski the best of luck and thank him for his years of service with this company," said Polaris CEO, Tom Tiller. "I'm confident he will be successful in all his future endeavors."
    Tim DeJong will replace Jonikas as general manager of the Utility Division. DeJong has been with Polaris for 14 years, serving as director of operations at the company's Roseau production facility. In 2000, he was named director of logistics and has since taken on an expanded role as head of sales operations and director of manufacturing operations and logistics.
    Bill Fisher, currently Polaris' chief information officer (CIO), will take on an expanded role to include the National Service Center and Technical Service. Fisher joined Polaris in 1999, and will be charged with positioning the National Service Center and Technical Service to meet the company's future challenges.
    John Corness, vice president of human resources since 1999, will take on interim responsibilities of managing the international business. Corness has extensive international experience, and will be focused on running the current business and finding a permanent replacement for Dougherty. He will continue in his human resources role.
    "I'm excited about the changes we're announcing today," said Morgan. "The management team at Polaris continues to strengthen, and its combined experience positions the company for significant growth potential for years to come."

    About Polaris

    Information about the complete line of Polaris products apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
    With annual 2004 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Victory motorcycles and the Polaris RANGER for recreational and utility use.
    Polaris is the recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the motorcycle cruiser marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
    Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PII," and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index.

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CONTACT: Polaris Industries Inc., Minneapolis Marlys Knutson, 763-542-0533 or Weber Shandwick David Fransen, 952-346-6225

KEYWORD: MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Polaris Industries Inc.

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