Category Archives: globalization

Mini-truck Market In Bangladesh

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Reports from Bangladesh indicate a small but fast growing mini-truck market. In 2011 the market was estimated to be 8,500 vehicles and the Tata Ace mini-truck, manufactured in neighboring India, accounts for over ninety percent of the market.  Tata started selling their mini-trucks in Bangladesh in 2009, selling 3,500 vehicles that first year.

The local distributor Nitol Motors attributes their sales success to growing demand across many industries and a reduced down payment for purchasers.  Instead of requiring a 50% initial payment, they only require 30% and sometimes as low as 20%.  This has enabled local entrepreneurs to start their own goods shipping businesses.  According to Nitrol Motors half the market is for this type of business and the other half for general business use.  Buyers are most concerned with the initial payment costs instead of total vehicle costs.   The success of the Tata Ace has also taken a large chunk of the used and reconditioned mini-truck market.  Learn more:  Thedailystar.net

Cushman Hauler UTV Line Launched in UK

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As part of a recent overhaul of their product lines in the UTV market, Textron, through it’s Ransomes Jacobsen subsidiary, recently launched their new Cushman Hauler line in the UK.  The line features four models:  Hauler 800, Hauler 1000, Hauler 1200 and Hauler 1200x.  The Hauler 800 comes in electric or gas versions with a vehicle payload capacity of 363 kg.  The Hauler 1000 is electric powered with a 465 kg payload capacity.  The Hauler 1200 is gas driven with a 544 kg capacity.  For rougher terrain the Hauler 1200x is offered in gas or electric versions with 15.2 cm and 13.5 cm of ground clearance and 454 kg and 363 kg payloads respectively.  All but the Hauler 800 offer a larger volume cargo bed as an option.  The electric powered models feature 48 volt systems and the gas models have 13 hp Kawasaki engines.  Common standard features include:

  • Limited slip differential
  •  Brush guard and integrated front bumper
  • Large integrated headlights

Other accessories are available for customizing.  Learn more:  Pitchcare.com

Polaris Reports Record Financial Results Again

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Showing strength across all product lines Polaris Industries reported record fourth quarter and full year profits on Wednesday.  For the fourth quarter sales increased 26% from 4Q 2010 to $782.0 million and for the full year sales increased 33% from 2010 to $2,656.9 million. Other full year highlights include:

  • Increased market share for all product lines
  • 39% increase in international sales
  • Net income of $227.6 million – 55% more than 2010.
Their Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) segment increased sales 32% over 2010 to $1.82 billion.  The segment includes ATVs and side-by-sides.  Management reports ATV unit retail sales growing upper single digits percent and side-by-side vehicle unit retail sales increasing about 20 percent over the prior year.  Polaris continues to gain market share in each segment.  Learn more:  Marketwatch.com
Earnings Call highlights:
  • The overall ATV market declined low double digits for 2011 while side-by-sides increased low double digits.
  • Polaris sales through their partnership with Bobcat increased 60% in 2011.
  • Polaris has discontinued their Breeze LSV in light of their GEM acquisition and production of GEMs in their Spirit Lake facility has begun.
  • Asia Pacific and Latin America are the key global markets
  • Expectations for a slower level of growth for the company and ORV sales for the coming year.
  • New products with Bobcat likely in end of 2012 or early 2013
  • Strong growth in military segment expected with sales to special forces and in unmanned technology products

 

New Vehicle Introductions

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ACG Cars T-Sport LSV

T-Sport LSV recently introduced by ACG Cars

ACG Cars – ACG Cars of California recently launched their T-Sport LSV, a four passenger all electric vehicle. Features include  including a 17.5 hp brushless A/C motor, Sevcon computerized controller and LCD in-dash display.  The vehicle has a top speed of 25 mph and an estimated range of 40 miles.  MSRP is $7950. Learn more:  News.yahoo.com

AGT Electric Cars – AGT Electric Cars of Ontario, Canada recently introduced their Marrow Waste Management Vehicle.  The company usually manufacturers manufactures low-speed vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, utility task vehicles, burden carriers and golf cars.  The new vehicle is based upon their Marrow Electric Industrial Vehicle but is fitted with a 1-ton capacity trash bin.  The vehicle is powered by 12 6-volt batteries and management reports a range of 35 miles when fully loaded.  The vehicle is currently undergoing pilot tests and will be launched in Canada this month with a price of around $25,000.  The company is talking with potential distributors for the US market.  Learn more:  Wastecyclingnews.com

Mitsubishi Planning Small Electric Truck

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According to reports, Mitsubishi Motors is currently developing a small electric truck for the farm and contractor market.  Technical specifications on the vehicle are limited, but it is expected to be a light weight, rear drive truck.  It is not known if it will operate at LSV speeds or higher.  The truck will be the third electric vehicle model produced by Mitsubishi. Learn more:  Rushlane.com

Evergreen Electric Vehicles Chooses Solar Drive For Vehicle Solar Panels

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Evergreen Electric Vehicles, an authorized ZAP dealer, has chosen Solar Drive as their provider for roof top solar panels for their vehicles.  The system from Denmark based Solar Drive includes two 100 watt panels and a proprietary controller.  Press release follows.

 

PRESS RELEASE

EVERGREEN Electric Vehicles endorses Solar Drive 

Evergreen Electric Vehicles, LLC endorses the Solar Drive system as the preferred Solar Top for all of its vehicles. “We are very impressed with the quality and performance of the Solar Drive products,” says Keith Andrews, President of Evergreen Electric Vehicles.  “The robust design and attention to detail are qualities that drew us to the product.  The management and support staff are highly professional and forward thinking.  We wanted to give our customers some direction on which of Solar top to consider.”  

The Solar Drive top fits a wide range of vehicles. The hardware to install the top uses top quality stainless steel fasteners and the solar panels are surrounded by an attractive extruded aluminum frame with a Scandinavian flare.  Solar Drive’s home office is located in Denmark.

The Solar Drive top converts solar energy from two one hundred watt PV modules through a proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller to maximize the amps and volts to the battery pack.  

“The use of the latest state of the art solar panels along with a superior management system is what differentiates the Solar Drive system from the others.” says Erik Andersen, General Manager of Global Sales for Solar Drive.  “This free power from the sun can extend the vehicles range five to ten miles per day, depending on a variety of conditions.  By keeping the batteries constantly charged, the rate and level of discharge is improved, which over time will improve the battery life,” adds Andersen.

To learn more about the Solar Drive system or to locate a Solar Drive distributor near you , go to www.solardrive.com .  To find our more about the full line of Evergreen Electric Vehicles go to www.evergreenev.com

UTV Farm Segment in the UK

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I came across a story about the use of UTVs on farms in the UK.  This segment includes both farmers and gamekeepers.  According to the story, much like the US market, diesel powered UTVs are often the vehicle of choice for the torque they can deliver.  There are a few brands in the UK market that you do not see as much in the US market including Kioti, Ausa, and JCB, but there are familiar brands as well like John Deere, Kubota, Polaris, Kawasaki and Cub Cadet.  One interesting aspect of the market is that kits to make the UTVs street legal are commonly available options, if not a standard feature already.  Typically the kits cost about 1,000 USD and includes turn signals, rear lights, horn, seat belts, registration holder and tax disc holder.  Learn more:  Farmers Weekly

Viridian Motors: Electric Truck Start-up

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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

Garia News

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Garia has developed a special edition golf car, the Garia Mansory Edition.  The vehicle is a collaboration between Garia and Mansory, a high-end customizer of cars from luxury brands such as Rolls Royce, Austin Martina and Bentley.

Carbon fiber – an ultra-light yet exceptionally strong material normally used in the motor sports and aircraft industries – has been used on body panels on the front, side steps and tail. The cabin floor is lined with teak tree, while the specially designed headlights, air scoop and fender gills complete this unique and complex transformation.

The Garia Mansory Edition comes in street legal and non-street legal versions and will be on display at the Top Marques Macau 2011 which takes place from November 24-27 2011 at The Venetian Macau.

In other Garia developments, the company has partnered with Hank Haney a leading golf instructor for a number of professional golfers and host of “The Haney Project.” on the Golf Channel.

Learn more:  Garia.com

Polaris Makes Another Move In The EV Market – Acquires Goupil Industrie of France

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Goupil industrie electric truck

Goupil Industrie electric truck

Diversifying their portfolio of electric vehicle offerings, Polaris Industries recently purchased Goupil Industrie SA.  The privately owned French manufacturer produces a line of light duty electric trucks for a variety of commercial uses.  There were no comments by management on whether the Goupil product line would be exported to or produced in the US.

This is the third major transaction in the small electric vehicle space by Polaris this year following the acquisition of GEM and a major investment in Brammo, an electric motorcycle manufacturer known for electric powertrain expertise. The work and hauling oriented Goupil product line will complement the more people mover oriented GEM line.   Goupil’s estimated annual sales of $25 million adds to the estimated $30 million in annual sales that Polaris gained from the GEM acquisition.

Comment:  After testing the LSV market with their Breeze model for personal transportation and the electric UTV market with their electric Ranger, Polaris has now moved decisively into the space.  Management sees the global market for small electric vehicles as a growth area and have executed on that belief by purchasing this manufacturer in France and initiating GEM distribution in India.  Polaris now has a range of small EV product offerings spanning off-road and on-road, consumer and commercial, as well as work and transportation applications.  Learn more:  BizJournals.com

In related news, I noticed that Polaris also has a new website for GEM.  On their home page it is accessible under the tab “Low Emission Vehicles” along with the Breeze LSV.