A local newspaper story in Georgia, home state of the leading golf car manufacturers, recently ran a story about their move into the LSV market. The story focuses mainly on the leaders in the golf car market, Club Car and E-Z-Go. Club Car introduced their passenger version of the Villager 2+2 late last year and E-Z-Go will be introducing their LSV later this year.
Club Car was able to take advantage of market demand driven by federal tax credits, especially in Oklahoma. E-Z-Go chose not to rush the development schedule of their LSV to take advantage of the tax credit. Instead, they are looking to enter the market with a vehicle with distinctive features. One feature we have learned about for the vehicle is four wheel hydraulic brakes.
Not mentioned in the story is entry of smaller golf car manufacturers into LSV market such as Fairplay.
The move into the LSV market is driven by a number of factors:
- Golf cars are already being sold into the gated community market where LSVs are also sold
- There is growing market opportunity as an increasing number of LSVs are sold outside of gated communities
- The decline in the golf course driven segment of the market is forcing golf car companies to look for new areas of growth