ROV Manufacturer Brings More Than 175 Years Experience to ROHVA

IRVINE, Calif., July 25, 2012 – The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association proudly welcomes the agricultural, turf, forestry and construction equipment manufacturer Deere & Company to the organization of leading ROV manufacturers. As the newest ROHVA member, John Deere joins others in the industry to protect and promote the welfare of the recreational off-highway vehicle community.

“We are excited to have such a well-respected company and major manufacturer of side-by-side vehicles join ROHVA,” said ROHVA Executive Vice President Paul Vitrano. “We believe that John Deere will play a vital role in supporting ROHVA’s mission to promote the safe and responsible use of ROVs and its continued development of robust voluntary vehicle standards through the American National Standards Institute. In turn, we believe that John Deere and its customers will greatly benefit from ROHVA’s online E-Course and hands-on Basic DriverCourse, as well as our extensive work with Congress, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, state legislatures, land managers, national rider groups and others.”

“John Deere is proud to become the newest member of ROHVA,” said Siva Sundaresan, Global Director of John Deere’s Utility Vehicle Product Line. “We began manufacturing our line of Gator™ Utility Vehicles back in the early 1990s and have recently announced the launch of the RSX850i, our newest model and the first true Recreational Utility Vehicle in the Gator line. We are looking forward to working with ROHVA and its member companies on important issues that face our customers, our dealers and our industry.”

Sometimes referred to as side-by-sides or UTVs, ROVs are motorized off-highway vehicles designed to travel on four or more tires, with a steering wheel, non-straddle seating, seat belts, an occupant protective structure, and engine displacement up to 1,000cc. Current models are designed with seats for a driver and one or more passengers. ROVs’ performance and durability make them ideally suited for a variety of outdoor recreational activities as well as many work applications.

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) is a national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, John Deere, Kawasaki, Polaris and Yamaha. For more information visit www.rohva.org.