Originally published February 20, 2012. Updated as part of the UTV Guide historical archive.
The 2012 International Dealer Expo brought the powersports industry to the Indianapolis Convention Center from February 17–19, 2012. The annual business-to-business show connected dealers with vehicle manufacturers, accessory companies and performance brands from across the industry.
More than 700 exhibitors attended the 2012 show, which included thousands of new products and an estimated crowd approaching 20,000. UTV Guide photographed the side-by-sides, custom builds, tires, wheels, suspension components and accessories that stood out on the show floor.
DragonFire Racing Arctic Cat Wildcat
Our favorite UTV at the show was the newly introduced Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 displayed in the DragonFire Racing booth. At the time, the original Wildcat was one of the most anticipated sport UTVs in the industry, combining a 951cc V-twin with 17 inches of front and 18 inches of rear suspension travel.
DragonFire equipped this Wildcat with 14-inch DFR beadlock wheels, ITP BajaCross tires, RacePace cage components, a spare-tire carrier, headache bars and an LED light bar. Its new dual-exhaust system was developed with Vance & Hines and debuted at the show.
2012 Dealer Expo UTV Photo Gallery
The gallery provides a snapshot of the UTV aftermarket in early 2012, when the Polaris RZR XP 900, Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000, Can-Am Commander and Kawasaki Teryx4 were helping accelerate development of performance side-by-side products.
Arisun
Audio Formz
Bad Dawg
Bennche
Big Gun Exhaust
Blingstar
Camoplast
DragonFire Racing
DWT Racing
Dynojet
Elka Suspension
EMP
GBC Motorsports
GoPro
Gorilla Axle
High Lifter
HiPer
HMF Racing
ITP Tires and Wheels
J-Wheelz
Joyner
Kenda
KFI Products
Kolpin
Lazer Star Lights
Lone Star Racing
Lucas Oil
Maxxis
Odes UTV
QuadBoss
Rigid Industries
Scorpion USA
SSV Works
STI Tire & Wheel
Warn Industries
Yoshimura
Some photographs in this historical gallery were provided by Mud and Guts OffRoad.
Why the 2012 Dealer Expo Mattered for UTVs
The gallery captures an important transition in side-by-side history. Sport UTV performance was advancing quickly following the arrival of the Polaris RZR XP 900, while the original Arctic Cat Wildcat introduced suspension dimensions previously associated with extensively modified vehicles. The recently introduced four-seat Kawasaki Teryx4 and the Can-Am Commander also created new opportunities for accessory manufacturers.
The show floor reflected that expansion. Companies were developing model-specific cages, doors, exhaust systems, suspension components, audio enclosures, LED lights, snowplows, tracks, beadlock wheels and increasingly specialized tires. Many of those product categories remain central to the UTV aftermarket today.
For more historical coverage, visit the UTV model archive, read about the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000, or explore additional UTV events and shows.
