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Investment in Other Affiliates
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]  
Investment in Other Affiliates
NOTE 6. Investment in Other Affiliates
Investment in other affiliates in the consolidated balance sheets represents the Company’s investment in nonmarketable securities of strategic companies. Investment in other affiliates as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is comprised of investments in Brammo, Inc. ("Brammo") and Eicher-Polaris Private Limited (EPPL) with the following balances (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Investment in Brammo
$
14,500

 
$
12,000

Investment in EPPL
2,275

 
817

Total investment in other affiliates
$
16,775

 
$
12,817


Brammo is a privately held manufacturer of electric motorcycles. During the 2013 second quarter, Polaris made an additional $2,500,000 investment in Brammo. The investment in Brammo is accounted for under the cost method. Brammo is in the early stages of development and production. As such, a risk exists that Brammo may not be able to secure sufficient financing to reach viability through cash flow from operations.
EPPL is a joint venture established in 2012 with Eicher Motors Limited (Eicher). Polaris and Eicher each control 50 percent of the joint venture, which is intended to design, develop and manufacture a full range of new vehicles for India and other emerging markets. The investment in EPPL is accounted for under the equity method, with Polaris’ proportionate share of income or loss recorded within the consolidated financial statements on a one month lag due to financial information not being available timely. The overall investment is expected to be approximately $50,000,000, shared equally with Eicher over a three year period. Through September 30, 2013, Polaris has invested $4,562,000 in the joint venture. Polaris' share of EPPL loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $631,000 and $1,629,000, respectively, and is included in equity in loss of other affiliates on the consolidated statements of income.
Polaris will impair or write off an investment and recognize a loss when events or circumstances indicate there is impairment in the investment that is other-than-temporary. No impairments have been recognized on currently held investments.