Elmhurst Powersports Dealer To Expand

ELMHURST, IL — One of Elmhurst's dealerships, iMotorsports, says it needs to build an outdoor showroom as it plans new lines of watercraft and off-road vehicles. It is seeking a city sales tax incentive to help make that happen.

In 2020, the powersports industry saw a big increase in growth as people sought new hobbies while the coronavirus affected their old ones, according to iMotorsports. Thirty percent of sales were to customers who had not previously owned powersports vehicles.

According to its proposal to the city, iMotorsports said it has an opportunity to add the Can-Am Off Road and Can-Am Sea-Doo brands. The nearest dealers are in Lake County's Lake Villa and northwest Indiana.

"In order to accommodate the addition of the off-road vehicles as well as the personal watercraft, we need to add on an outdoor showroom for these vehicles," the proposal said. "Unlike cars and trucks, these vehicles cannot sit out in the elements without protection. Most of the material is plastic and the paint quality is not as nice, which leads to fading and weathering."

With the anticipated sales, the business said, more than 100 vehicles will be on site at any given time. The improvements will amount to more than $500,000, it said.

With the new lines, iMotorsports expects its sales to increase to $30 million, from $25 million. It plans to employ 35 people, up from 30 currently.

On Monday, the City Council's finance committee is set to consider a sales tax rebate for iMotorsports.