News Briefs

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Marc Cesare

e-ride Industries – A Clean Cities Success Story video overs the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park including an e-ride Industries electric utility vehicle. Learn more: AFDC.energy.gov

Kawasaki & Kubota Reviews – The UK based magazine Horticulture Week just published a review of the Kawasaki Mule 4010 Diesel 4×4 and the Kubota RTV900 which they put to the test at Charlecote Park in Warwickshire. The park includes formal and informal gardens and general parkland. Learn more: Hortweek.com

Tomberlin Aggressively Markets Vanish Electric UTV

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Marc Cesare

In the first of a series of marketing videos Tomberlin leaves no mystery, putting a name to their competition, the Bad Boy Buggies XTO. Titling the video the “Tomberlin Shootout” (complete with spaghetti western intro music) Tomberlin conducts a range test, demonstrating the good performance of the Vanish and the bad and some might even say ugly performance of the Bad Boy Buggie XTO. In the video the Vanish ends ups towing the Bad Boy Buggie and claims to consistently produce three times as much range as the Bad Boy Buggie XTO in Tomberin’s range test. Learn more: YouTube.com

Clifford Resigns As ZENN CEO

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ian Clifford has resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZENN Motor Company Inc (ZMC) and has assumed the role of Founder and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of ZMC. Clifford, who founded ZMC in 2001, will continue to play a key role in defining ZENN’s future vision and strategic plans, the company said.

Brian Cott, who joined ZMC in 2006 as President and Chief Operating Officer, shortly after ZMC became a publicly listed company, became President and CEO on CLifford’s resignation. Learn more: Greencarcongress.com

NJ Assembly Bills To Promote Electric Vehicles

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Marc Cesare

A package of bills are being proposed in the New Jersey State Assembly to support electric vehicles. They include tax credits and tax deductions for charging infrastructure and the purchase of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as requirements for shopping center developers and the Turnpike Authority to install electric vehicle charging stations.

The most relevant for LSVs/NEVs are the tax credits for business and the tax deductions for individual tax payers for the purchase of electric vehicles. According to the office of Assemblyman Daniel Benson, one of the bill sponsors, and my own reading of the bill, LSVs/NEVs would be eligible for these tax credits and deductions. As currently written, for businesses, the tax credits would be available for three years starting with a $5,000 tax credit in year one, then declining to $3,000 in year two and $2,000 in year three. For individuals the numbers are the same except it is a gross income tax deduction instead of a tax credit. Learn more: Paramuspost.com EV Tax Credit/Deduction Bill

Update: The bills related to the tax credits and tax deductions for purchasing electric vehicles passed the Assembly on Thursday. If the bills are passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, the credits and deductions will start in 2012 and run through 2014. Learn more: Paramuspost.com

Clean Cities National Parks Initiative

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Marc Cesare

In 2010 Clean Cities partnered with the National Park Service to develop the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative to support the use of renewable and alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and other vehicle energy-saving practices to help preserve air quality and promote the use of domestic energy resources in the parks. The program will run for five years and will have between $1 million and $5 million in funds available annually. The funds can be used to:

Purchase electric drive, alternative fuel, and advanced technology vehicles
Install electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fueling infrastructure
Implement petroleum-reduction programs, such as idle reduction
Educate park visitors, employees, and others about the benefits of using cleaner, more efficient vehicles and renewable and alternative fuels.

A number of parks have initiated projects including the purchase of electric LSVs and utility vehicles. Learn more: USDOE

Bad Boy Buggies Becomes NASCAR Sponsor

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Marc Cesare

In 2011 Bad Boy Buggies will sponsor both NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams at Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI). Elliott Sadler and Clint Bowyer will drive Bad Boy Buggies branded vehicles in five races. Bad Boy Buggies was recently acquired by Textron and the sponsorship is a sign that management is moving quickly to take advantage of the resources and connections of their new parent. Previously, Textron’s E-Z-Go subsidiary has sponsored KHI vehicles in the same NASCAR race series. Learn more: Speedwaymedia.com

JCB Launches New Workmax UTV

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Marc Cesare

JCB Workmax 800 D

UK based JCB has added a new 4×4 utility vehicle to their Workmax product line, the Workmax 800 D. Targeting the UK and European markets, the 800 D features a 600 kg payload and a 784cc Yanmar diesel engine. The 4×4 drive plus locking differential is electronic. Management believes that the utility vehicle market in Europe is still developing and offers plenty of opportunity for growth. Accordingly, this year JCB has put more emphasis on UTVs rather than ATVs as the former is becoming the preferred work vehicle in many applications. They have also expanded their dealer network beyond their traditional construction equipment dealers to include specialist ATV and agricultural equipment dealers. Learn more: MHWMaagazine.co.uk

Ingersoll Rand Reports Earnings

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ingersoll Rand, parent company of Club Car, announced 4Q 2010 and full year earnings.

The company’s reported revenues increased 13 percent to $3,712 million, compared with revenues of $3,281 million for the 2009 fourth quarter. Total revenues excluding currency were up 14 percent, compared with 2009. … Full-year 2010 net revenues were $14,079 million, and increased 7 percent compared with reported net revenues of $13,102 million in 2009. Operating income for 2010 totaled $1,247 million, an increase of 43 percent compared with $872 million in 2009.

Relative to the rest of the company, Club Car underperformed.

Club Car revenues increased slightly compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, as increased sales for both golf cars and aftermarket were partially offset by declines in utility vehicles. Bookings declined due to slowing demand in the North American golf market and more difficult year-over-year comparisons.

Learn more: IEWY.com

UTV Shelter For Outdoorsmen

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Northlander Utility Vehicle Shelter from Canvas Craft

Canvas Craft of Minnesota offers their Northlander utility vehicle shelter that attaches to a Polaris Ranger. The shelter is designed for a range of outdoor uses including ice fishing, hunting and camping.

Its quick flip/lock and ride anchor system is designed for simple folding and mobility. The ultra lite frame stores in a boot behind the cab, leaving space in the bed for additional gear and equipment. Currently available in 5’W x 9.5’L.

Learn more: Canvascraftinc.com

UTV-Based Ocean Rescue Unit For US Navy

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ocean Rescue Unit for US Navy

Kimtek Corporation has developed an ocean rescue unit for the US Navy based on a Polaris Ranger Crew UTV. Kimtek added their Emergency Utility Vehicle (EUV) conversion and the KIMTEK MEDLITE Transport MTD-10 mounted in the cargo area. Key features include:

…an all aluminum skid chassis with bright diamond plate, storage area with tailgate, rescue area to secure long board or stokes basket (not included) for patient transport, two ambulance grade stainless steel rescue grab bars, 3-position guide lock seat with seat belt, slide out tray in storage area, oxygen bottle holder, retractable IV pole, third attendant rail, and a quick disconnect mounting system. The special Ocean Rescue unit also features a WHELEN lighting/siren/PA package with exterior mounted speaker, full function control head, remote siren; two red LED body mounted strobes, a ROPS mounted Red LED strobe; three ROPS mounted scene lights (2 front and 1 rear facing); NFPA style reflective body stripe package with customized lettering package; two portable radio holders; and a mounted five pound ABC fire extinguisher.

Late last year Kimtek also introduced the MEDLITE™ Transport EV, a custom skid unit designed for the new Polaris Ranger EV. The unit allows emergency personnel to more easily operate in crowds and not expose patients and others to exhaust fumes.

Learn more: sxsnews.com and Kimtekresearch.com

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Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market

Monthly Archives: February 2011