This new creation was branded with the name Victory. Polaris was on a mission to create an American-made, cruiser-style motorcycle. This research provided them with guidance ranging from comfort to braking ability, which became the framework to design a motorcycle that combined the best of each research criteria. They completed extensive research that included testing numerous different makes and models of motorcycles. Polaris began its research and development of manufacturing a motorcycle in the early 1990s. Victory vehicles follow the traditional American style of a heavier motorcycle that increasingly became associated with the Harley-Davidson brand in economically advanced nations after the Second World War, rather than more modern racing-inspired designs. Seeking to diversify its product line, and observing the sales enjoyed by Harley-Davidson and similar manufacturers, the company decided to produce a large motorcycle built entirely in the United States. Polaris also manufactures ATVs, side-by-side off-road vehicles, electric vehicles and, until 2004, personal watercraft. Polaris, a Medina, Minnesota company with annual sales in 2015 of $4.7 billion, is one of the earliest manufacturers of snowmobiles. Victory was profitable for a number of years (beginning in 2002) but failed to turn a profit three of its last five years, due to a lack of sensible investment in the brand, preferring to release new model years with no changes to successful models other than paint, and poor investment choices in electric and three wheeled motorcycles. The first Victory, the V92C, was announced in 1997 and began selling in 1998. Victory's motorcycles were designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson and similar American-style motorcycle brands, with V-twin engines and touring, sport-touring, and cruiser configurations. Its parent company, Polaris Industries, created Victory following the modern success of Harley-Davidson. It began production of its vehicles in 1998, and began winding down operations in January 2017. Victory Motorcycles was an American motorcycle manufacturer with its final assembly facility in Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, northwestern Iowa, United States.