The three top-selling makers of all-terrain vehicles are preparing new models for release in Australia after sales fell more than 10 per cent last year.
Official figures reported by importers to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries revealed 21,072 ATVs sold in Australia in 2013, down 10.6 per cent from the 23,570 sold the previous year.
Honda (23.4 per cent), Polaris (21.1 per cent) and Yamaha (19.3 per cent) remained the top three brands, all selling more than 4000 machines.
The industry figures do not reflect sales of utility vehicles, including those built by tractor manufacturers such as Kubota, John Deere and Case IH, which build equipment for commercial and rural users with bigger engines, heavy frames and large towing capacities.
The FCAI figures also exclude grey market imports and some smaller manufacturers and importers such as the Australian-built Tomcar range or Chinese brands.
Market leader Honda's sales figures tracked almost identically with that of the wider ATV market.
Honda Motorcycles general manager Peter Singleton said Honda was pleased four of its models ranked in the top 10.
"The first half of 2013 was exceptional for Honda with record-breaking agricultural ATV sales in the month of June,'' Mr Singleton said.
"However, like all agricultural businesses we were exposed to tough conditions towards the end of 2013.''
He said Honda would launch a new range of 2014 model ATVs this year.
The first of these include the updated TRX420 models, described by Honda as a mid-sized workhorse built with 420cc engines.
Last year's top-selling model was Honda's TRX250, the only model to top 1,000 sales. The Japanese manufacturer sold 1,013 in Australia for the year.
The only brands in the top 10 to register sales growth last year were Japan's Kawasaki, the Chinese brand CF Moto and North American manufacturers Arctic Cat and BRP, which makes the Can-Am range.
Quad Racing Club of Victoria vice-president Pete Wilhelms said there was a trend in the industry away from the single-seater quad bikes to the heavier, stronger UTVs, also known as side-by-side vehicles, or SSVs.
The SSV machines have steering wheels rather than handlebars and can sit passengers side by side.
Mr Wilhelms said buyers of ATVs were becoming more safety conscious.
"People are realising they have to take more care, especially in the commercial and rural areas," he said.
"You can't just jump on a quad bike with no helmet and away you go anymore,'' Mr Wilhelms said.
Many of the SSV machines have optional diesel engines.
The North American makers Polaris and BRP run a category in the Australian national rally championship for their SSV machines.
Polaris last week unveiled its revolutionary Sportsman Ace in the U.S., which will be released in Australia later this year. The Sportsman Ace was designed with special safety features, including a rollcage, three-point harness and bucket seat, and a steering wheel rather than handlebars.
Japanese manufacturer Yamaha has also put together a series of new models of ATV, with an updated engine for its Grizzly EPS 700, its large-capacity automatic drive machine.
