LAKE HAVASU CITY – A famous NASCAR racer and business entrepreneur plans to establish a high-end off-road vehicle dealership in Lake Havasu City. The City Council has approved a zoning change for the old Hastings building property where Robby Gordon wants to sell his Speed UTV’s and other off-road vehicles and accessories at 321 Lake Havasu Avenue N.
“I’m really excited to possibly be able to put a flagship dealership here in Havasu,” Gordon told council members during their Jan. 12 meeting. “Some of you may not be aware that I designed the Polaris Razor- RZR stands for Robbie’s Ride- back in 2004.”
Gordon said the industry has benefited from the pandemic as more and more turn to outdoor recreation.
“COVID has been very good to the off-road community,” he said. “It’s been exceptional for bringing families together and going outside. It’s really changed.”
Gordon said he purchases the 41,000 necessary parts and components from all over the world and that the vehicles are assembled in Texas. He said his company has sold 10,700 units totaling $450 million since March.
Partnership for Economic Development Director James Gray said off road activity has become tremendously popular with more than 450,000 UTV sales totaling $4 billion in 2019. He and Gordon said the southwest desert is ideal for off road riding.
“Your area has the best trails in the world,” Gordon told council members. He said his business would not engage in production, painting or repairs and will not be a neighborhood nuisance.
“This would be more like a high-end Ferrari or Mercedes dealership, a display and walk through, not a retail outlet where there might be pounding and banging,” Gordon said.
Gray said he is excited that Gordon will initially employ 10 people in Lake Havasu who will earn $40,000-$60,000. He said SPEED UTV will draw customers from nearby states.
“This is a regional thing,” Gray said. “This will bring people in from Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.”
Council members spoke in favor of the project and Mayor Cal Sheehy thanked Gordon for his community investment.
Dave Hawkins
