The new GEMs for model year 2016.

A recent conversation with a GEM dealer indicates that the newly designed 2016 GEM product line will be a success. In November I spoke with John Stockman, Director of GEM about the new 2016 line of GEM vehicles. I wanted to follow-up that article with a dealer’s perspective of the line now that it has been in the market. To that end I spoke with Andy Kaplan of Dominion Utility Vehicles of Bedford, Virginia, which carries the GEM line along with Gravely and Brutus utility vehicles. Polaris manufactures all three of these brands.

While December through February are typically a slow season for Kaplan, he has been selling GEMs at a rapid rate this year. In fact, we conversed while he and his loaded vehicle trailer were calling on customers for test drives and to deliver a price quotes. He is still following up leads from a trade show six weeks ago. Kaplan typically sells vehicles to colleges and universities, hospitals and real estate developments where GEMs are used for security, maintenance and people transport.

Polaris significantly re-engineered the GEM line for 2016. They made changes to the body design, added more cabin space, improved the doors and added more door options, introduced their Smart Power concept, and expanded options and accessories for the utility model. According to Kaplan, the changes have all hit the mark and are winning over customers. The new doors and additional cabin space are probably the most critical changes driving customer interest. As Kaplan observes, these changes give the GEM a more car-like feel. He believes they have helped position the GEM in it’s own market niche between golf car based vehicles and fully functional automobiles.

Kaplan expects to double his GEM sales this year driven by both the new 2016 line, and by virtue of the new line being part of a Virginia state purchasing contract. The latter allows state colleges, universities and other agencies to more easily purchase GEMs without having to conduct a complex purchasing process.

I’ve posted a more in-depth article from my discussion with Mr. Kaplan in our buying guide section.