Category Archives: globalization

South Korea Opens Roads To NEVS

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In line with a previous announcement to target the development of electric vehicles, the Ministry Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs posted revisions to road use regulations that will allow for the operation of NEVs on public roads.

…NEVs, electric vehicles with less than 60 kilometers per hour maximum speed that weigh less than 1,100 kilograms, will be allowed to run on roads designated by the mayors of local administrative authorities…

In addition, NEV crash tests will be conducted at 40 km/hr instead of the standard 48.3 km/hr.  Learn more:  Koreaherald.co.kr

Company News

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Global Electric Motorcars – Has produced a commercial to promote their vehicles and the federal tax incentives that are currently available for them.  Learn more & see the commercial:  Zachmarion.com

Valence Technology – Has won a $3.1 million contract to supply the Tanfield Group’s Smith Electric Vehicles with lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries for their electric trucks.  The company also supplies batteries for Tanfield’s joint venture in the US, Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, that makes similar trucks.  Learn more:  Streetinsider.com

CT&T – Bavarian Luxury Auto Sales LLC has become the first dealer to carry their vehicles in South Carolina, the e-Zone LSV.  Learn more:  Poastandcourier.com Comment: – What is interesting is that while CT&T has generated a lot of press I have not come across too much hard evidence related to actual vehicle sales.  This may be  a start. – Marc Cesare

Company News

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Nivel Holdings – At the end of 2009 Nivel Holdings completed their acquisition of Jake’s Carts, a leading provider of lift kits for the golf car market.  The company has become a subsidiary of Nivel Parts.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

Kandi Technologies Corporation –has entered into an alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. and Tianneng Power International, Ltd with a goal of mass producing electric vehicles. The alliance combines the IT equipment and service of CNOOC, battery production from Tianneng Power International, vehicle production from Kandi as well as governmental support.  Kandi produces the COCO LSV.  Part of vehicle concept focuses on easy battery removal and replacement and battery rentals.  Learn more:  Worldmarketmedia.com

Ameritex – will supply canvas doors for GEM vehicles.  The company is a division of Taylor Made which designs and manufactures windshields.  Ameritex is trying to diversify their business which has suffered from the downturn in the marine industry and is investigating the resort, consumer, recreational vehicle and golf cart industries.
Learn more: Tampabay.bizjournals.com

A Basic Utility Vehicle For The Developing World

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I recently came across a story about a Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) developed by The Institute for Affordable Transportation.   The organization’s mission is  “… to improve the lives of the world’s poor by providing simple, low-cost vehicles to facilitate community transformation.”  The BUV is a no frills but practical utility vehicle.  The institute has developed a whole turnkey type program that allows local entrepreneurs to become a local distributor or assembler of the vehicles. They typically will assemble, sell and service the vehicles.  Some parts are expected to be sourced locally and the vehicle can use 20 different engines without modification.  A starter kit for six vehicles can be shipped in one twenty foot shipping container.

BUV at work in Honduras

The first overseas BUV factory is in Honduras and five other groups are planning to launch in Ghana, Senegal, Liberia, Haiti, Ethiopia and D.R. Congo.  Learn more:  www.drivebuv.org/

Company News

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Polaris – The Ranger HD has been named the “Best of the Best” by Field & Stream magazine. Learn more:  UTVWeekly.com

Nemo Motors – As part of a pilot project started in early 2009 Nemo Motors recently delivered an electric truck to the Quebec government.  The company is headqurtered in Redwood City, CA but produces vehicle in Quebec.  Learn more:  Sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com

ZAP Forms Joint Venture In China

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ZAP has announced that it has entered into the China Electric Vehicle market with Holley Group.  The two companies have entered into a joint venture in China from venture capital firm Better World International.  The joint venture company is named ZAP Hangzhou, and is intended to design and manufacture electric vehicles, in addition to developing infrastructure technology for the Chinese market. Learn more:  transworldnews.com

Recent Company News

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Navistar and Modec complete joint venture agreement – Navistar International and Modec completed their joint venture agreement for the production of Class 2c-3 commercial trucks. The all electric trucks will be produced in Elkhart, Indiana. In 2010 400 of the trucks are expected to be produced. Learn more: Tradingmarkets.com

Northwire introduces charging cable for electric vehicles – Northwire, Inc. announced the availability of CoilBoss Retractile Cords for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. All EV Cable options are available in standard or custom configurations. Customization includes hybrid designs, colors, private labeling and more. Learn more: Northwire.com

GM & SAIC Motor Corp pursuing venture – GM and SAIC Motor Corp, China’s largest automaker, are looking to create a joint venture to sell minivans, mini-trucks and mini cars in the Indian market.  It would be a 50-50 joint venture.  Learn more:  Wheels.unwireindia.com

Smith Electric Vehicles places battery order with Valence Technology – Smith Electric Vehicles placed a $1.4 million order with Valence Technology for batteries to be used in their Newton electric truck being produced in Kansas.  Learn more:  austin.bizjournals.com

Think thinking of Indiana for plant site – Think North America is in negotiations with officials from the state of Indiana and Elkhart County as it tries to decide on where to locate a manufacturing plant.  Besides Indiana, Oregona and Michigan have been on their short list.  Elkhart County is considering ten years of tax abatements to attract the company.  Learn more:  WSBT.com

Tazzari Zero Revealed At Bologna Auto Show

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Tazzari Zero

Tazzari Zero City Car

The Tazzari Zero city car debuted at the Bologna Auto Show earlier this week. Aiming at the high end of the market, the stylish and sporty Tazzari Zero features a 160 Ah lithium battery pack, a range of 88 miles in economy mode and an MSRP of $29,900. The Italian made vehicle has a top speed of 56 mph which can be electronically reguated and operates on a 72 volt system. Standard features include a radio and CD player, leather seats, heating system and anti-theft device. The vehicle will be available in the US in 2010 as an LSV, and will be distributed by Verdek-EV. Learn more: Autoblog Green

Comment: At that price for an LSV it will probably be purchased more by collector types or higher end buyers willing to tinker with the speed controls. If medium speed regulations are adopted, and that’s a big if, the vehicle becomes more viable but still limited to the higher end of the market or perhaps a younger demographic willing to spend extra money for the “cool” factor. – Marc Cesare

CT&T Still Looking For Plant Sites

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Korean neighborhood electric vehicle manufacturer CT&T is still looking for plant sites in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas.  The company plans to open 30 to 40 sales and assembly locations throughout the US eventually but has not yet broken ground on the first one.  Previously the company had announced orders for 4,000 of their vehicles for California police departments and another 27,000 bound for the US in the short term. Learn more:  PittsburghLive.com

Comment: It remains to be seen if these various plans and vehicle sales come to fruition.  I recently checked the SEC filings of T3 Motion, the exclusive distributor for CT&T vehicles for the security market segment, and their most recent quarterly findings indicated no significant revenue from CT&T vehicles.  I followed up with a phone call to T3 Motion’s CEO and founder Ki Nam.  He confirmed that there have been no significant vehicle sales and that they have received only a small number of vehicles.  They are currently working with CT&T to make some vehicle modifications to better meet the needs of the security market customer. – Marc Cesare

Utility Vehicle Review From The UK

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Farmers Weekly Interactive from the UK recently tested and reviewed five utility vehicles including  the Massey Ferguson 20MD, Kawasaki Mule 4010 Trans 4×4, Kubota RTV 900, John Deere Gator XUV 850D and JCB Groundhog 4×4.  The article includes a video of some of the vehicles undergoing testing.  Learn more:  FWI.co.uk