Category Archives: Market entrants

Cenntro Automotive To Display Electric Utility Vehicle At Auto Show

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The new Metro compact utility vehicle from Cenntro Automotive.

The new Metro compact utility vehicle from Cenntro Automotive.

Cenntro Automotive will showcase its METRO™, electric utility vehicle at the Orange County International Auto Show held in Anaheim, CA from October 15 – 18. Launched earlier this year, the Metro, which the company refers to as a Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV) is similar to mini-truck and manufactured in Sparks, NV.

The electric powered vehicle features Cenntro’s own Cenntro Power powertrain, has a range of up to 50 miles, a top speed of 25 mph and payload capacity of 1,400 lbs. The Metro’s modular design allows for six different cargo area configurations for a range of end use applications including van box, refrigerated unit, grille enclosure, tarpaulin enclosure, tilting flatbed, and fixed flatbed with sideboards. Some of the key markets for the company are the US, European Union and China and targeted end use applications include city service and delivery, campus maintenance and park services. The US version of the Metro uses a lead acid battery pack while the European version uses a lithium battery pack  and has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of approximately 124 miles. Currently, the vehicles appear to be sold directly by the company rather than dealers.  Learn more:  PRnewswire.com

Jacobsen Launches Professional Series Utility Vehicles

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Jacobsen’s gas-powered Truckster MS/MX utility vehicle

Jacobsen’s gas-powered Truckster MS/MX utility vehicle

Jacobsen’s electric powered Truckster MS-E/MX-E utility vehicle

Jacobsen’s electric powered Truckster MS-E/MX-E utility vehicle

Jacobsen’s gas-powered Truckster LS/LX utility vehicle

Jacobsen’s gas-powered Truckster LS/LX utility vehicle

Jacobsen, a Textron Inc. company, has launched its Professional Series commercial-grade line of utility vehicles. There are six utility vehicles in the product line including the gas powered Truckster MS and Truckster MX, the electric powered Truckster MS-E and Truckster MX-E and the Truckster LS and Truckster LX. Key features include:

  • Truckster MS – 1,200 lb. capacity and 17 mph top speed
  • Truckster MX – Optional link suspension for rough terrain
  • Truckster E-MS/E-MX – 72-volt electric drivetrain and 1,000 lb. capacity
  • Truckster LS/LX – 800 lb. capacity and polyethylene bed

The vehicles will be at at next month’s GIE+EXPO, held Oct. 21-23 in Louisville, Ky.

Learn more:  Golfdom.com

Comment:  Textron also owns the Cushman brand of vehicles and these vehicles look similar to the Cushman Hauler 1000, Hauler 800 and the electric powered Hauler Pro with the exception of the colors, tires for rougher terrain and possibly more ground clearance.

Cub Cadet Challenger Targets The UTV Value Segment

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The 2015 Cub Cadet Challenger 700 utility vehicle.

The 2015 Cub Cadet Challenger utility vehicle.

SVR recently interviewed Jeff Salamon, Director of Marketing for MTD Products, the manufacturer of the Cub Cadet brand of products including the new Challenger series of UTVs, which we discussed at length. The Challenger represents a renewed commitment to the UTV market for Cub Cadet whose Volunteer line of UTVs has been on the market for a number of years. While the Volunteer is more of a heavy duty work UTV, the new Challengers, the 500 and 700, are more of a mixed use line that can be for both work and recreation. As Salamon states “Whereas we say work and off-road for the Volunteer we say task and off-road trail for the Challenger.”

With MSRPs starting at $8500 and $9500 respectively, the 500 and 700 are clearly priced for the value segment of the UTV market. But that is not to be confused with being low quality or bare boned in the features department. In fact, one of the prime selling points for the Challenger is their wealth of standard features including large 26″ off-road tires, alloy wheels, windshield, roof, 3,500 lb. winch, horn, digital dash display, bumper guard, halogen lights and hand brake. They also beefed up the vehicle’s hardware with a reinforced frame, high-strength steering components and dual row wheel bearings.

At these price points Cub Cadet is competing against the value priced imports from the likes of Kymco and CFMoto as well as the lower priced UTVs of the major players in the market like Polaris and John Deere. Against the former Salamon believes Cub Cadet has an edge with their strong and established American brand combined with a well-trained and well-stocked dealer network. Against the more established brands, the wealth of standard features gives Cub Cadet the advantage.

Cub Cadet expects to launch a crew version of the Challenger in the near future and will be building out the Challenger line on an ongoing basis driven by consumer demand and dealer feedback. Learn more:  Cub Cadet Interview

What’s Cooking on the STOV: LSV Car Sharing Program

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Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Mike Lolley of SUMO which has started an LSV based car-sharing program. Photo Credit: Michael Woods, NWA Democrat-Gazzette

Mike Lolley of SUMO which has started an LSV based car-sharing program. Photo Credit: Michael Woods, NWA Democrat-Gazzette

Fayetteville, AK entrepreneurs with a green bent has started a low-speed vehicle based car sharing program. Mike Lolley and Robert Munger of Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUMO) recently started the business after two years of development. Currently 25 people have signed up to share SUMO’s fleet of fourteen vehicles which operate within a radius of five miles of downtown. The LSVs are reserved via text message and can be picked up at one of six locations. Lolley points to saving money and the environment as the two main reasons customers are interested in the service. The city managers see the service as increasing mobility options for residents as well and may make arrangements for SUMO to use certain public parking spaces as pick-up/drop-off locations. A typical parking space can fit three LSVs. An interesting aspect of the program is that there are no keys or fobs since the cars are started by a text message sent to the system. Rates start at $1.50 for a five minute ride and Paypal is the payment system. There is a $20 application fee.  Learn more:  NWAonline.com

 

Comment:  This could be the start of a potentially large market for LSVs and a way for potential buyers to get exposed to LSVs. While there has certainly been an increasing number of LSV based taxi services and rental companies that have popped up around the country, they tend to cater to summer visitors or tourists. This type of car sharing program will attract long-term residents and therefore greatly expands the potential geographical market for LSVs beyond the typical summer vacation communities. Such programs may also provide an opportunity for Google to do some real-life testing of their self-driving LSVs.

Eicher Polaris JV Launches Multix: A Personal Utility Vehicle for Indian Market

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The Multix utility vehicle, the first offering from the Eicher-Polaris joint venture.

The Multix utility vehicle, the first offering from the Eicher-Polaris joint venture.

Eicher Polaris Pvt. Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture between Eicher Motors Ltd and Polaris Industries Inc., launched the Multix India’s  first personal utility vehicle. The Multix, available in two versions and four colors, is targeting the “independent businessman”. The Multix is being positioned as a versatile vehicle that can be used for both business and family purposes. Management estimates the market size to be 60 million households. From initial idea to launch took Eicher and Polaris about five years and $60 million. Extensive consumer testing was performed to identify the market and test the concept. The Multix is being viewed as launching a new vehicle category. Initial production is expected to be 5,000 vehicles per month and the manufacturing facilities can expand to handle twice that volume.

Key features of the Multix include:

  • 500cc Diesel engine
  • Cabin space that can comfortably seat a family of five along with luggage
  • Multix can be adapted to create large storage space of 1918 liters.
  • X-PORT a unique power-take-off point, which can generate power of up to 3 KW that can be used for lighting homes and powering professional equipment
  • Pro Ride Independent suspension system
  • Ground clearance of 225mm,
  • Mileage of 28.45 kmpl.
  • Tubular frame structure and Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS) 
  • Flexituff body

The two Multix versions are priced at 3,620 USD or 2.32 Lakh and 4,245 USD or 2.72 Lakh. The vehicle will be launched in 30 cities with test drives starting in July and deliveries in August. Learn more: Equitybulls.com

Comment:  In contrast to the US market where a crossover utility vehicle means a vehicle for work and play, in the Indian market it means work and family use. This utility vehicle/mini-truck market is very dynamic. Not only do you have new entrants like Eicher-Polaris with the Multix, but there are also a number of startups receiving venture capital that are targeting the independent delivery/shipping market that utilize these vehicles. These companies are using software and other technology to make the process of locating and quickly accessing a shipper much more efficient. This could prove to be another catalyst for the vehicle market.

Eicher-Polaris Joint Venture To Launch Flexituff Utility Vehicle For The Indian Market

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Eicher-Polaris-Flexituff-side-spied-900x549

The new Flexituff utility vehicle from an Eicher and Polaris collaboration was spied on the road recently while undergoing tests. Photo Credit:  www.indianautoblog.com

A collaboration between Eicher and Polaris is set to release their first vehicle, something akin to a mini-truck, later this year for the Indian market. The Flexituff UV will be available in two configurations, a multi-passenger van (MPV) and a twin-cab pickup for hauling cargo. The vehicle will feature a Greaves Cotton 600cc diesel engine with claimed mileage of 25km/L. Based on pictures of the vehicle in testing, the vehicle will be slightly larger than competitive offerings, the Mahindra Maxximo and Tata Magic. Initial production is expected to be 10-12,000 vehicles per year with expectations that it will reach 100,000 units in the future. Learn more:  Motoroids.com

Update:  Some more information on the vehicle. It uses composite body panels to save weight and “…features a bare dashboard with a four-spoke steering wheel, a simple instrument cluster and a centre console-mounted gear level.” The double cab pickup with cargo area can fit five occupants. The price of the vehicle is expected to be about 1 lakh or about $1,500-1,600 US. The vehicle development project is reported to have cost $40 million US. Learn more:  Inidancarsbikes.in

Comment:  This type of vehicle is not as prevalent in the US but in India and parts of Asia the vehicles are common. Smaller sized delivery vehicles are an important part of a hub and spoke delivery system where they are used to deliver goods the last kilometer or so through small and crowded streets. Price points and cost of operation are important purchasing factors for owner/operators of these local shipping businesses.

Exmark Adds Utility Vehicles to Product Lineup

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The new 700S utility vehicle from Exmark.

The new 700S utility vehicle from Exmark.

Exmark, a manufacturer of commercial mowers and lawn care equipment, recently announced the addition of two gas-powered utility vehicles to their product line, the Exmark 500S and 700S. Both vehicles feature electronic fuel injection for their 4-stroke SOHC engines. Exmark is a Toro owned brand and the new utility vehicles appear to be the same new utility vehicles offered under the Toro brand. Additional vehicle features include:

  • Automatic CVT
  • Dynamic engine braking
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • 2WD/4WD selection
  • Tilting rear cargo box convertible to a flatbed
  • Cargo box capacity of 600 lb. for the 500S and 1,000 lb. for the 700S
  • Fully independent suspension with dual A-arms front and rear
  • 10 inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of front and rear suspension travel
  • Standard brush guard an adjustable CAM-style shocks
  • Integrated front and rear two-inch receivers

The vehicles will be available March 2015.

Learn more:  Agprofessional.com

Comment:  SVR believes Arctic Cat is producing these utility vehicles for both Toro and Exmark. It’s an example of the different methods companies are using to expand their distribution channels in the UTV market. Arctic Cat can reach the work UTV segment by manufacturing for Toro and Exmark while those companies can concentrate on their strengths, developing lawn care equipment, but still have a presence in the growing UTV market. In addition these vehicles offer more recreational crossover appeal then the traditional work vehicles Toro has and continues to offer. By selling under the Exmark brand as well, Toro further expands their UTV distribution.

Ecocruise Set To Enter NEV Market

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The new Cruser Sport NEV from Ecocruise will be launched in January 2015.

The new Cruser Sport NEV from Ecocruise will be launched in January 2015.

Ecocruise based in Washington is set to enter the NEV market in January 2015 when they start shipping their Ecocruise Cruser Sport. The decidedly sporty model features a carbon fibre body over exposed tubular steel,  exposed suspension and 14in aluminum wheels along with a covered rear hatch and T-tops. While built for the road, the design evokes off-road vehicles and reflects the off-road motorsports experience of company founder Steve Leighty who spent many years designing and building dirt bikes and ATVs.

The Cruser Sport features a ​Lifepo4 72v 62AH battery, 5kW brushless DC motor, 4-wheel disc brakes, dual A-arm front suspension and swing arm rear suspension. Other amenities include AM/FM radio, bucket seats and LCD instrument display. The Cruser Sport will retail for $8,500 to $11,900 depending on the battery and motor options.

Management expects their model lineup to be expanded shortly after the Cruser Sport launch with a one-seater EZIP-4 for around $3,800. In addition a line of service and utility vehicles, including electric scooters, will follow as well as a golf version of the Cruser Sport.  Learn more:  BBC.com

Comment:  The Cruser Sport definitely has a different look than most of the NEVs on the market. While the consumer NEV market has grown, it has not been an explosive growth rate and in many areas has been eclipsed by commercial demand from institutions such as schools and parks looking for green and safe transportation alternatives. The consumer NEV market has been undercut, in part, by local regulations allowing expanded use of lower cost golf cars on public roads. In areas  requiring compliance with NEV-type safety regulations NEVs have had more success. The design of the Cruser Sport may help it garner more sales than the typical NEV.

LiV Golf Cars Trying To Enter Fleet Golf Car Market

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The Evolve fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars

The Evolve fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars powered by lithium batteries.

The Prosper fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars powered by lithium batteries.

The Prosper fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars powered by lithium batteries.

LiV Golf Cars based in Libby, Montana is hoping to break into the golf car fleet market in 2015 with a pair of lithium battery powered electric golf cars. Started in 2013 with the aid of a $368,000 grant from the local government, the company to date has produced 34 vehicles during the course of their product development and initial sales process. According to CEO Jon Hoster 15-20 of those vehicles are on five different golf courses located in California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The development process took longer than expected but their two models, the Evolve and the Prosper are now ready for market. Under the terms of the grant the company must employ 22 people by September 2015. Currently the company employs two but Hoster hopes to add 15-20 in 2015.

What is unique about the Evolve and Prosper are that they are powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries as opposed to lead acid batteries typically found in electric fleet golf cars. The company states the advantages of the lithium batteries are that they last longer, three to four times longer, than lead-acid batteries; are lighter leading to less compaction on courses; and reduce vehicle maintenance. The batteries have a 6-year warranty.

The Evolve is targeted towards more upscale courses and features an aluminum alloy chassis, independent front and rear leaf spring suspension, water-directional sun top, and impact resistant body molding. The Prosper has a tubular steel chassis instead of aluminum and has a hydraulic shock absorber with coil over springs front suspension instead of Macpherson strut front suspension. Both models feature a 48-volt system with a D&D Motor Systems, separately excited motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. There is no mention of pricing for the vehicles on their website.  Learn more:  Thewesternnews.com

Comment:  Cracking the fleet golf car market will be a difficult task. It is a very price sensitive market that is dominated by E-Z-GO and Club Car with Yamaha a distant third. All three should have a significant cost advantage given their size and manufacturing volume compared to such a small company. There is also the issue of having the proper distribution and servicing network to service fleet golf cars. Golf cars are a revenue generator for courses and any down time impacts the bottom line. On top of these challenges the golf industry has faced some difficult economic times with a decline in the number of courses since 2006 as well as ongoing attrition in the number of golfers.

Polaris Reveals DAGOR: Ultra Light Vehicle For Defense Applications

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The DAGOR during testing.

The DAGOR during testing in challenging terrain.

The DAGOR loaded with troops and their gear.

The DAGOR loaded with troops and their gear.

A rear view of the DAGOR loaded with troops and their gear.

A rear view of the DAGOR loaded with troops and their gear.

Polaris Industries will be debuting DAGOR, their new ultra light vehicle for defense applications at the 2014 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting, in Washington, D.C. , Oct. 13-15. The vehicle is designed to provide rapid air transportability, payload capabilities and advanced mobility in off-road conditions to meet a wide range of expeditionary missions. DAGOR can carry 3,250 lbs. of payload or nine infrantryman and incorporates off-the-shelf components such as a J98 diesel engine for easier maintenance in combat operations. The open design of the cargo bed maximizes loading space, flexibility and access for mission-essential equipment. The weight and dimensions of the vehicle are designed to increase range and facilitate rapid air transport. The DAGOR has been certified for CH-47 Chinook Internal Air Transport (IAT), air drop, and UH-60 Black Hawk Sling Load. Learn more:  Seekingalpha.com

Comment:   Growing revenue in military applications has been a strategic goal for Polaris for several years. A sizable portion of their military sales have been for US special forces and those of allied countries. In the past they have sold smaller vehicles whose design has been based in part on existing ATV and UTV technology. The DAGOR represents a significant step up in vehicle size and represents a new vehicle segment. This may portend a movement towards larger vehicles, although Polaris Defense vehicles to date have put an emphasis on mobility and lightweight vehicles. Moving to even larger vehicles than the DAGOR would likely mean a shift to different military applications. Another possibility is the transitioning of the DAGOR or some variation thereof into the civilian market. Some of the potential applications that come to mind are for use in disaster zones, forest fire fighting, logging and off-road work environments such as logging, pipelines or gas/oilfields.