Polaris Monterrey, Mexico Plant Praised by Analysts

Polaris management recently gave analysts that cover the company a tour of their Monterrey, Mexico facility that opened a little over a year ago.  Analyst came away with a positive review of the plant and its impact on the company’s performance.  The plant currently produces about 200 side-by-sides per day on two production lines with a third line likely to be added in the future.  Analysts report the plant has the lowest warranty costs in the company.

The plant was opened to more quickly supply southern US markets as well as international markets such as Brazil, India and China.  The plant has also helped Polaris execute on their objectives of shortening ordering times and reducing dealer inventory.  They have been ahead of their competition in these areas.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

BRP To Offer Electric Can Am Commander

An electric Can Am Commander will be available in limited markets starting this July according to BRP management.  The electric side-by-side will have top speed of about 25 mpg (40 km/hr) and a range of 25 to 100 miles depending on terrain, driving behavior and other factors.  The vehicle will be produced at a new assembly plant located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, which will be used for gas vehicles as well.  Select dealers will be used to launch the vehicle in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas and Virginia.  Electric technology for the vehicle was developed at Centre de technologies avancees BRP-University de Sherbrooke (CTA).  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Electric Vehicles International Expands Facilities

Electric truck manufacturer Electric Vehicles International (EVI) has expanded their manufacturing capacity by adding 30,000 square feet and new equipment to their Stockton, CA headquarters.  The company also opened a sales office in Michigan.  EVI produces larger electric trucks than what we see in the STOV market such as medium duty delivery trucks and walk-in vans.  For the STOV market they offer their E-Mega, a light duty, 72 volt truck with a top speed of 35 mph that is powered by a lithium battery pack. Learn more:  CVBizjornal.com

Viridian Motors: Electric Truck Start-up

Viridian Motors of Virginia expects to enter the small, electric utility truck market early next year.  Similar in design to a mini-truck, the Work Ready truck comes in two models, the WR100 and WR200, has a top speed of 25 mph and is priced at $13,500.  Target markets include farms, golf courses and apartment complexes.  The vehicle is a mix of US and China sourced parts with the assembly being performed in Norfolk, VA.

According to the company president Terry Langhorne the chassis and cabin are made in China and Chinese sourced parts constitute 15-20% of the sales price.  Parts sourced from the US include electric AC motor, controller, contactor, wiring harness, seats, transaxle rear end, fuse links, tires, brake lines, interior sheet metal components, steel chassis modifications, 12v battery system, throttle plates, gauges and dashboard switch assemblies.  Learn more:  Hamptonroads.com

GEM Fargo Factory Being Liquidated

The original Fargo, ND GEM factory will be liquidated starting December 6th.  After acquiring GEM, Polaris Industries moved GEM production to their plant in Spirit Lake, IA.  Items available for sale include “…excess Global Electric Motorcars vehicles, tools, equipment, office furniture, pallet racking, and a state of the art production line installed in 2003.”  Liquid Asset Partners will be conducting the liquidation.  Learn more:  PRWeb.com

GreenTech Chooses Mississippi For EV Production

MyCar

Rendering of GreenTech Autmomotive's MyCar

GreenTech Automotive plans to build their two seat electric MyCar in Mississippi and export them to Europe where the market for urban NEVs is likely to be more robust.  They are expected to be available there later this year.  A number of industry commentators expressed reservations about the plan’s chances of success.  Learn more:  Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com  

GEM’s Fargo Plant To Close

Polaris Industries, which recently acquired Global Electric Motorcars, will be closing GEM’s manufacturing facility and offices by the end of the year.  GEM’s operations will be integrated into Polaris’ Spirit Lake, IA manufacturing plant, product development facilities in Wyoming and corporate headquarters in Medina, MN.  Some of the 80 people now employed at the Fargo location have been offered jobs at these new locations.  Learn more:  Startribune.com

Bad Boy Buggies Production Moves To Georgia

Production of the recently acquired Bad Boy Buggies has moved to E-Z-GO’s manufacturing facilities in Augusta, GA from Natchez, MS.  The same facilities are used to produce E-Z-GO’s Cushman line of industrial vehicles as well as E-Z-GO golf cars, utility vehicles and LSVs.  The move is not a surprise since Bad Boy Buggies previously has had some quality issues and E-Z-GO is known for their manufacturing prowess.  The Augusta plant was

..named one of Industry Week magazine’s top 10 plants in North America in 2009, and also received the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, often called “the Nobel Prize of manufacturing,” that same year. The facility is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, meaning that it has world-class procedures for manufacturing and environmental protection.

The new location also offers better supply and distribution logistics.  Learn more:  Ammoland.com

Bad Boy Buggies Recall & Acquisition

Recently acquired Bad Boy Buggies announced a large recall to address ongoing acceleration problems with their Classic model.  The recall covers approximately 9,300 vehicles sold from 2003 to 2010 including models involved in a 2009 recall that unsuccessfully attempted to solve the same problem. The vehicles can accelerate without warning and have led to some injuries.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Bad Boy Buggies was acquired by E-Z-Go in October 2010 and now operates as BB Buggies, Inc.  Given the extent of the recall and assuming management new the recall was imminent, being acquired may have been the only recourse for the company.  For E-Z-Go the vehicle line adds a 4-by-4 electric platform to their extensive product line.  In our discussion with executives about the acquisition they remarked that they see potential in the platform beyond its current positioning as primarily a hunting vehicle.  In local newspaper reports E-Z-Go management has stated that for now they will be keeping manufacturing facilities in the Natchez, MS but will be analyzing the best course of action in the future.  Bad Boy Buggies CEO Skrabo noted the top-notch engineering and manufacturing facilities E-Z-Go brings to the situation.  Learn more:  Chronicle.augusta.com

California Energy Commission Awards EV Grants

The California Energy Commission recently announced grants totaling $9.6 million for projects involving electric vehicle manufacturing, charging stations and biofuels.  Projects most relevant to the STOV market include:

  • $505,381 to San Francisco-based Mission Motor Company to help it bring its prototype electric vehicle battery packs and motor control modules to commercial production.  The components will work in electric motorcycles, scooters, cars, buses and outdoor power equipment.  The assembly facility in downtown San Francisco are expected to be capable of producing 30,000 battery packs and motor control systems each year by 2015,
  • $2,962,743 to Leyden Energy, Inc., for a production line capable assembling its lithium battery packs for its partner in the project, electric vehicle manufacturer Green Vehicles of Salinas.

The companies receiving the grants are providing matching funding for their respective projects.  Learn more:  Favstocks.com