BRP buys some Alta assets

Now, months later, a news release from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) announces “the purchase of select assets of Faster Faster, Inc. (Alta Motors) as part of BRP’s longstanding interest in new technologies and alternate energy sources for the powersports industry.” 

BRP, whose brands include Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, and Rotax, could put Alta’s tech to work in a variety of vehicles. Their Spyder and Ryker on-road trikes come to mind as potential candidates for electrification. A few years ago there were hints that the Can-Am name could return to motorcycling, but nothing has come of that.

It’s hard to say for sure what BRP has in mind because the release doesn’t say exactly what they picked up from the remains of Alta: “This purchase includes certain intellectual property, patents and some limited physical assets from the former all-electric motorcycle design and manufacturing company. It is an opportunity for BRP to complement its ongoing research and development into this burgeoning area of expertise. BRP has no interest in restarting operations of Alta Motors and assumes no liabilities.” They go on to mention their line of electric side-by-sides, “ electric and hybrid prototypes of Can-Am Spyder vehicles” and Rotax-branded electric racing karts. 

I’d be happiest to see Alta’s line continue under the Can-Am brand, though the "no interest in restarting" Alta give me little hope for that. My experience with Alta’s products is limited to just a few minutes on a Redshift, but even that short time was enough to leave me wanting more. Electric or hybrid power for their three-wheeled offerings could be a good move, as well. We’ll have to keep an eye on BRP to see what they come up with.