Route6x6.com
Title
Route 6x6 The Internet Resource for 6 and 8-wheel Amphibious ATVs,Argo, Attex, Hustler, Max, Amphicat, Sierra Trail Boss, Scrambler, Coot, Camel, Jiger, Starcraft, Terra Tiger, terratiger, OD, Recreatives Industries, RI, atv, 6 wheeler, 8 wheeler, quad, MaxII, Max II, Max2, Max 2, Vanguard
Description
The 6x6 ATV is a unique vehicle with an interesting history, an unusual demise and one that is making a surprising revival.
The 6x6 was developed in the early 60's and quickly became popular in both the US and Canada. By 1970 there were almost 60 companies producing amphibious 6x6 vehicles. There was even a professional racing association dedicated to the 6x6 which held numerous competions across the country. The 6x6 was almost a decade old and had firmly established itself as a popular vehicle to enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Sears-Roebuck even sold their own model. Earning it's own classification and even coining the term ATV (all-terrain vehicle), the 6x6 seemed to have a bright future in the early 70's. Then three items turned the 6x6 industry on it's head: the Arab oil embargo that created the "energy crisis", the introduction of a new 3-wheel vehicle by Honda and the biggest item was the fact many of these new companys were building and selling inferior and poorly enginerred machines, this in turn gave the industry a poor reputation.
The energy crisis took it toll on many vehicle companies, but the hardest hit were manufacturers of recreational vehicles, like motor homes and 6x6 ATVs. New sales plummeted as Americans and Canadians tightened their collective belts. The nail in the coffin for the 6x6 ATV industry, however, came from overseas. Honda Motor Company introduced their 3-wheel "ATC" which sold for a mere $800. Compared to the 6x6 ATV, which had an average price of $1500, Honda had cornered the market by introducing a product that was well below the magic $1000 line. Within a few short years, most of the 6x6 companies had closed their doors forever. Never in the history of the motorized vehicle has a successful design disappeared in the fashion in which the 6x6 industry vanished.
Between 1975 and 1993, little happened in the 6x6 industry. The four surviving companies, Ontario Drive & Gear, Recreatives Industries, Attex and Hustler continued to offer their vehicles, upgrade their equipment and introduce some new models. Attex and Hustler eventually folded in the mid-eighties, leaving only the Argo and Max as the surviving major players of the 6x6 industry. The 3-wheel Honda heralded a new generation of Quad ATVs which has since dominated the industry for the past twenty years. Then starting sometime in 1995, something interesting happened: Quad ATV sales seemed to reach their peak and many people began to look for the next thing in ATVs. A whole generation of people now exist that have never seen a 6x6 and whom are fascinated by this "new" vehicle. This is easily demonstrable. It happens every time I take out my All Terrain Vehicle. People point. People smile. People ask questions and they want to try it. Quads are so common, people don't notice them. 6x6's are so far out, that they are in again.
Languages
English
Contact
- Route 6x6
-
- New Albany IN
- United States 47150
-
- 812-944-1643
Additional Information
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External Links
- Alexa: Route6x6.com
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