2021 proved to be a landmark year for ARGO, filled with many innovations and some big additions.

A Message from the CEO

Hello, I’m Brad Darling, president and CEO of ARGO. Know no Boundaries is a promise we’ve made to ourselves and to you — our customer. These are three simple words the ARGO team lives by every day to challenge conventional thinking, to do things differently and to go where others can’t. All to fulfill our goal of providing you the world’s best amphibious XTVs, off-road ATVs, high-quality SxSs and powerful UTVs.

Difficult obstacles unexpectedly appear to test this brand promise. These obstacles have never been more daunting than in the past couple of years. They have pushed us into corners and at times, questioned the future and our enthusiasm.

These unimaginable obstacles have been tough on all of us including dealerships, employees and the entire power sports family. We want to thank everyone who continues to overcome these obstacles to provide the very best products and services to all of our customers.

Your professionalism and willingness to succeed drives all of us forward. Our team at ARGO promises to Know no Boundaries more than ever. No matter what the future brings, we will always work hard to safeguard the positive momentum and innovations we have created for you.

We believe these challenges made us reimagine an even better path. A path that’s bold and bright for all of us. A path we are committed to as we move forward as one team. Thank you for being part of our ARGO family and continued brand support.

About Us

Who We Are

ARGO is more than the name of a company and the machines we ride: It’s also the culmination of what’s possible when talented, inspired people are set free in a professional workplace with the goal to produce the ultimate extreme terrain vehicles.

From the company’s humble beginnings at its original location in Kitchener, Ontario, to its current three-facility campus in New Hamburg, Ontario, ARGO has always been a place where passion and ingenuity drive new innovations that deliver the next generation of machines.

Many people have made important contributions to the company and it’s machines, and each person can take pride in the impact they made over the past 50 years. ARGO would not be here today without the personnel who dedicated themselves to designing, testing, building and selling the world’s finest off-road vehicles. These are some of those people.

They – and we – are ARGO - GO ANYWHERE!

Our Values

Honesty, mutual respect and commitment are the pillars upon which our business is based. Our pursuit of excellence is to be evident in our actions, our products and our services.

Customer satisfaction is the common goal of all our employees.

We are committed to the continuous improvement of our products and our services.

We believe in the dignity, worth and fair treatment of our employees. We respect our employees as the most important contributors to our success and we foster their personal development through education and promotions from within.

We are committed to our environmental and social responsibilities.

Why ARGO?

Why ARGO?
Whether it is for a commercial, governmental/public sector or personal utility application, ARGOs fill the gap between recreational quads and heavy off-road equipment. ARGO XTVs will climb, crawl or swim anywhere you have to go, with the equipment and tools you need, at a cost you can afford.

Terrain Capabilities
ARGO goes where others can’t.

8x8 mobility and strong-but-light construction give ARGOs the low ground pressure and traction to traverse all types of soft and difficult soils, including muck, swamp, muskeg and snow.
With their add-on rubber tracks, ARGOs tread as lightly as your own footprint.
ARGOs swim or ford water obstacles with no preparation required to enter or exit.
The integral skid plate and high-ground clearance of the ARGO body prevents bottoming out or hanging up on terrain obstacles.

Passenger Safety
Today’s best Static Stability Factor (SSF) means ARGOs are up to four times less likely to roll-over than traditional UTVs

With the industry’s lowest center of gravity (CG), ARGO vehicles traverse side slopes, grades and obstacles that are inaccessible to other vehicles
Attachments are designed, tested and engineered to minimize the impact of the Static Stability Factor
Payloads are low to the ground to maintain stability in motion, even when fully loaded
The exclusive Admiral triple-differential transmission provides exceptionally smooth steering in constricted areas while maintaining traction on all wheels

Green Mobility
In environmentally sensitive areas, ARGOs tread lightly and leave no toxic traces behind.

With ground pressure as low as 1.06 psi, ARGO will cross fragile terrain features with no lasting impact on vegetation and substrates.
ARGO’s fully-sealed body ensures that all engine and mechanical fluids are well contained to avert all soil and water contamination.
The design and placement of the exhaust and electrical systems of ARGO minimize any risk of a fire hazard in dry vegetation.

High Utilization
You get more value from an ARGO because you can do more with it.

Optional cargo decks and interchangeable attachments turn the ARGO into a versatile mobile platform for completing heavy-duty tasks on the jobsite, farm, fishing camp or hunting lodge.
ARGO’s exceptional terrain capabilities and high altitude performance extends the range of sites and seasons where vehicles can operate productively.
ARGO’s add-on trailer vastly improves “payload per sortie” to carry six personnel, plus up to 2000 lb. (907 kg) of equipment, instruments and supplies.
Choice of diesel or gasoline power fits the available fuel type to suit remote jobsites.

Cost & Value
ARGO keeps crews and equipment productive in work areas where the only alternative is heavy machinery or air lifts.

ARGOs cost far less than the heavier equipment required for equal off-road mobility; multiple ARGO units less cost than a single off-road hauler.
An ARGO vehicle allows access to the worksite regardless of the remoteness of the location for more work days so high-value crews and equipment earn more every year.
The complete family of ARGO 8x8 extreme terrain and amphibious models provides the right selection to match the needs of local customers and provide operators and rental companies with the right mix of products and accessories for maximized utilization of the fleet.

History

1962

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited (ODG) was founded in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1962. As the subsidiary of a German company, its objective was to design and manufacture power transmission and gears for the North American market. ODG developed and manufactured a special transmission for a 6-wheel-drive, skid steer ATV - the Amphicat. In 1967 the Argo was born! Realising the potential of the ATV market, ODG decided to introduce its own 6-wheel amphibious vehicle - the Argo. It was named for its stamina on land and water after the Argonaut of Greek mythology. In 1969 the Kitchener facility could no longer handle the volume required so ODG purchased a 10 acre site in New Hamburg and began construction.

1971

In 1971 ODG introduced a stretched version of the Argo - the 8-wheeler.With this introduction, ODG was able to offer a vehicle with the largest cargo capacity on the market. The first 8-wheeler was powered by a 440 cc Kohler 2-cylce engine. Also in 1971, ODG installed a state-of-the-art vacuum-forming machine, which made it possible for us to produce large quantities of vehicle bodies from coloured ABS sheet material. Constantly looking for ways to upgrade the Argo, ODG decided to switch to the very durable, high density polyethylene material for the vehicle bodies and introduced vehicles powered by a Tecumseh 4-cycle engine in 1975. With the introduction of the 4-cycle Argo, ODG's market gradually expanded from the recreational sector into the utility and industrial/commercial sector.

1981

1981 saw the introduction of the first Argo 8 I/C (Industrial/Commercial)with hydraulic steering brakes. This model rapidly captured 60% of the market share. The Argo 6 Twin was introduced in 1985. Powered by the Briggs & Stratton, 656 cc twin cylinder I/C engine, the 6 Twin replaced the Argo 6 Heavy Duty. Following the success of this model, ODG introduced the Argo 8 Twin as a smooth running successor to the Argo 8 Heavy Duty. The extensive redesign of the Argo 8 I/C in 1987 made this vehicle the most popular model in the Argo line-up.1989 saw the end of a fifteen-year run as the last Tecumseh powered vehicle came off the assembly line. But with the end of that era, a new one began. In 1989 ODG introduced the Argo 8x8 Magnum and the Argo 6x6Magnum. The Argo 8x8 Magnum name was adopted to identify the top-of-the-line model that now featured new clutch components and a transmission ratio to respond to customer requests for higher land speed. The Argo 6x6 Magnum followed with similar upgrades.

1992

In 1992, ODG celebrated 25 years of Argo production. To commemorate Argo's silver anniversary, 25 silver-bodied Vanguards were built. ODG introduced the first liquid-cooled engine in the new Argo Conquest in 1993. The Kawasaki FD620D 20 hp V-twin engine captured the attention of the marketplace like nothing before and immediately propelled this model to prominence. Long lead times developed as demand far exceeded production rates that were pushed up weekly. The Argo 8x8 Response was introduced to the market in 1995 - the answer for the individual who needed eight-wheel capacity at an attractive price. Once again, ODG demonstrated its commitment to the customer by providing quality-built, innovative products. The Bigfoot invaded the market in1997, with an extended wheelbase to accommodate the 25" tires,increasing ride comfort over rough terrain. In 1998 the late stand most expensive in a series of high-tech CNC machines, a LIEBHERR gear hobber, was installed at ODG's premises to produce the precision cut gears and other quality components demanded by ARGO and industrial products customers. In a bold move, ODG decided to add 40,000 square feet of new manufacturing and office space to its plant in New Hamburg. The continued expansion of the Argo market and the imminent introduction of a new model of industrial all-terrain vehicles made this decision necessary. At year-end, the site work was done and construction was set to commence in the spring of 2000.

2007

Although the Frontier name is just a decade old, it’s already legendary among owners who have experienced any one of the models in its relatively short lifespan. Debuting in 2007, the 6x6 Frontier 650 brought a new body style to the air-cooled Frontier line, as well as 23-hp Briggs & Stratton power to the Gen-II planetary differential transmission. Just as important, it featured the classic ARGO/Carlisle 4-ply mud-and-swim tires with the larger chevron-pattern tread, which increased water speed by over 50 percent (with improved traction and suspension while on land) compared to the previous generation tires. Additional Frontier models soon followed, with the marquee earning its place as the most accessible and capable amphibious vehicles in company history.

2010

As a motivated team, ODG continues to strive for an innovative marketing approach to better penetrate the Northern Market. Our focus is also on International Development, in launching the newest model – 700 HD, which is approved for road usage in Europe . The Gear Division is continuing to strive and improve on technological advancements, to remain the most competitive in gears and transmissions. Commercial markets are the focus of our development.Expanding into insect abatement, search and rescue, lifting and drilling will lead to success in the market place.

2012

Customers in both our commercial and industrial market segments will delight in the new Argo XTI, a tougher and more heavy duty version of the Argo HDi. Professional hunters and camp operators will also recognize the benefits and value that this new vehicle brings to their operations, and the industrial capabilities have been engineered using field-proven technology, allowing for increased payloads and greater durability.

2013

The J5 Rover vehicle was ARGO's first attempt at an industrial robotic vehicle. Based on the successful 4-wheel lunar rover architecture, the J5 Rover was designed to be affordable and rugged. In keeping with the tradition of so many ARGO machines, it was also entirely amphibious. The J5 can be fitted with tracks or wheels, depending on the operating environment.

2016

Hunters and outdoors-men have been some of the most passionate ARGO owners since the first machine debuted in 1967. In 2016 ARGO went all in with a quartet of machines that comprised the Wilderness Series: the Outfitter 8x8 XTi, Scout 6c6 and 8x8 and the Hunt Master 8x8 Evolution and model differentiation had been hallmarks of ARGO machine for decades when the company unleashed a remarkable example of both in the form of the Avenger LX. With bold colors and luxury component selections the Avenger LX became an instant favorite for customers who wanted optimal smooth ride and premium comfortAvenger 8x8 LX Also in 2016 the fully amphibious robotic platform of the J6/J8 was born.

2017

ARGO Xplorer ATV The next 50 years in ARGO history will be highlighted by the company's bold decision to expand its expertise and ingenuity by entering the 4-wheel ATV market with the all-new ARGO Xplorer 4x4 machines. The Xplorer ATVs are a premium quality machine that set a new standard in performance and rideability.

2018

The goal at ARGO was not just to create another new 2019 model, it was to create the next generation of ARGOs. With new thinking, new technology and new partners, the possibilities were endless. This collective effort and determination allowed ARGO to push harder than ever to build an Xtreme Terrain Vehicle like never before. And after countless designs, rugged testing and ever-so-slight tweaks, the all-new 2019 Aurora was born. From the front grille to the back hitch you’ll experience innovation at its best, including the new seating, Start ‘N Gear and ARGO Progressive Steering (APS). This UTV-inspired steering development combined with the Admiral transmission is a technological milestone giving the ultimate driver experience.

ARGO didn’t stop there. For outdoor enthusiasts who love rippin’ it up in deep, wet mud the all-new 2019 Bigfoot 800 MX6 and MX8 were introduced. Both are equipped with ARGO’s new 25" Mud Tires with aluminum bead lock rims to give you maximum power and control to cruise through the thickest muddin’ holes. The Bigfoot XTVs include a premium Jensen radio to enhance the riders’ experience. Turn up the tunes!

2019

In 2019 the Frontier, ARGO’s value leader amphibious six- and eight-wheelers, were redesigned to reflect its Aurora lineage, resulting in a perfect blend of style and function. All Frontier models now come standard with left-side ARGO Progressive Steering (APS), producing smooth confidence-inspiring handling. The new bold look and quality features round out the all-new 2020 Frontier – and it is a testament to the team at ARGO at improving our vehicles every year. The new Frontier models are ready for any extreme adventure. Are you?

2020

We took the Aurora to new level in 2020. Introducing the Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) for the Aurora. Complete with seat belts and certified to ISO 5700 and SAE J2194.

2022

2021 proved to be a landmark year for ARGO, filled with many innovations and some big additions. There was nothing bigger than the addition of the Sherp Series of products to the growing ARGO product line. Like our XTV line of products, the ARGO Sherp Series are proven amphibious vehicles able to conquer any landscape and conditions.

Innovation rung true in 2021 with our XTV amphibious vehicles with the addition of the Instant Torque Drive System (ITDS). The ITDS is a perfect marriage of our new Instant Torque Clutching (ITC) and Classic or Admiral transmissions. The ITDS was rolled out to the whole XTV lineup, providing increased acceleration and enhance torque while alleviating the need to choose between a High Torque (HT) or Standard Torque (ST) transmission.

The non-amphibious line of products also saw huge additions with a new line of single rider ATVs that includes the XC 90 youth ATV, XR 500 and XR 700 ATVs. While the all-new Magnum XF Side-by-Side added yet another new category of products to ARGOs ever-growing line of products.