Category Archives: market trends

Prototype Hydrogen Powered Utility Vehicles Developed

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A development team led by the Atlanta-based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has developed two hydrogen powered utility vehicles for the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.?? Other members of the team include the Center for Electromechanics (CEM) at The University of Texas at Austin, vehicle manufacturer Columbia ParCar, the Gas Technology Institute, and fuel cell producer Hydrogenics.?? The electric utility vehicle uses a hybrid configuration with a 8.5kw fuel cell, ultracapacitors and a hydrogen supply.?? The vehicle performance will be evaluated for one year at a military facility.?? Initial testing of the vehicles indicates a range of 300 miles, far exceeding the typical 30-50 mile range of electric utility vehicles currently on the market.?? Learn more:?? Utexas.edu

Cub Cadet Unveils Crossover UTV

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Cub Cadet VTX

Cub Cadet Volunteer VTX Crossover UTV

Cub Cadet is using the upcoming SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufactuers Association) show to unveil their crossover concept vehicle the Volunteer VTX.?? The VTX is designed to appeal to those using UTVs for both work and recreation.?? Management is touting the vehicle’s ability to transform into different configurations as a defining feature of the vehicle.?? Transformable features include:

  • Foldable jump seats that provide the flexibility to carry up to five riders or create more space behind the front seats for cargo or as a work area.
  • Bed sides that fold down to transform the VTX into a mobile work station complete with tool hookups.
  • Speed keys to set separate top speeds

Other features include:

  • 850cc Weber engine that can power the vehicle to 45+mph
  • 12-volt power outlets, hook-ups for air-powered tools and multi-functional high-intensity lighting
  • Digital display
  • In-dash monitor with GPS and rear-facing camera view

Learn more:?? PRNewswire.com

Arctic Cat Announces Earnings & New CEO

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Arctic Cat CEO Christopher Twomey announced he will step down at the end of the year and will be succeeded by Claude Jordan who currently overseas the ATV business segment.?? Arctic Cat also announced better than expected earnings for their second quarter that ended September 30.?? The ATV business, which includes UTVs grew by 9%, from $51.7 million to $56.6 million compared to the same quarter last year.?? In their earnings conference call management stated that the growth was driven by sales of their Prowler HDX and growth in international markets.?? The HDX targets the work rather recreation portion of the UTV market.???? Management also reported maintaining market share in the segment.?? In comparing half year totals, the ATV business grew from $83.9 to $84.5 million or 1%, indicating that majority of the sales and growth occurred in the second quarter.?? Combined with the recent earnings news from Polaris, indications are that the UTV market is gaining some momentum.?? Learn more:?? StarTribune.com

Toro Partners To Demonstrate Fuel Cell Powered UTV

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Toro was recently selected by ATK, an aerospace and defense company, to help them build two fuel cell powered utility vehicles that feature advanced hydrogen storage.?? The vehicles are part of an effort?? by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to coordinate hydrogen storage development for the U.S. Department of Energy.?? Previously Toro participated in a three-year demonstration project with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that used three prototype hydrogen-powered Workman utility vehicles at parks and a government center for work and haulage duties and personnel transport.?? The vehicles will be delivered later this fall and operational and performance data will be collected for one year.?? Learn more:?? Marketwatch.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Arboretum Mini-truck – The Secrest Arboretum at Ohio State University now uses a Mag International Electric MAG XC mini-truck instead of a full-sized pickup for general work and maintenance.?? While helping to meet the university’s sustainability goals, the vehicles can also access areas a pick-up cannot and produces much less noise, which is a plus for the facilities nature walks, gardening classes and other events.?? The only downsides are a less than roomy cab and increased battery drain when used on hilly terrain.?? Learn more:?? Media-newswire.com

Solar Electric Shuttle – Pelican Bay Foundation recently unveiled their solar electric tram system using vehicles from Eco Trans Alliance and Cruise Cars.?? The system uses 40 vehicles to shuttle visitors around the 43 acres of park.?? Learn more: PRWeb.com

Polaris Wins National Guard UTV Contract

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Last week the National Guard Bureau awarded Polaris a contract to supply Ultra-Light Utility Vehicles to the Army National Guard.?? The five-year contract is topped at $67 million and includes vehicles as well as accessories and training.?? The Ranger Crew 800 and Polaris Ranger 6×6 800 produced in their Spirit Lake, Iowa facility will be the vehicles of choice.

I contacted the National Guard Bureau to find out some more contract specifics.?? They do not have an estimate on the number of vehicles that will be purchased but noted that it would depend on government funding and mission requirements.?? They added that the contract includes pricing for different configurations of the vehicles such as the inclusion of a hard or soft top, track kits, plows, and other components.?? Long-term servicing is not part of the agreement.?? The contract demonstrates continued success by Polaris as they target the military market as a key growth opportunity for the company. Learn more:?? Financialpost.com

Insurance Company Formed To Serve LSV & Golf Car Markets

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Chad Boozer and Jerod Summer have formed LSV Insurance, LLC specifically to offer insurance for the LSV and golf car markets.?? The new company offers personal auto protection insurance for the LSV consumer and general liability and inventory coverage for dealers.?? Free rate quotes are available on their website, www.lsvinsurancellc.com.?? The company currently offers policies in SC, NC and GA with plans to expand into FL and MI.?? Learn more:?? Golfcarnews.com

Ev Manufacturer Barefoot Motors To Close Doors

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Barefoot Motors a manufacturer of electric utility vehicles based in Ashland, OR announced that they will be closing their doors by the end of the year.?? According to a statement from CEO Mary Gresens,

Due to a critical interruption in our supply chain which has resulted in a review of our business model, Barefoot Motors LLC will no longer produce and offer the present products. The facility in Ashland is being ramped down and will be closed by the end of the year.

Learn more:?? Barefootmotors.com

This is the second company this year in the STOV market that has closed their doors.?? Earlier in the summer BG Automotive Group which had plans to build an LSV and then full-size electric vehicles also closed.?? Learn more:?? Green.autoblog.com

Polaris Reports Strong 3Q Results

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Polaris Industries reported strong third quarter results as the company continues to perform well in a struggling economic environment.?? Compared to last year’s numbers total sales increased 25% for the first nine months and 33% for the last three months, indicating increasing momentum as the year has progressed.?? In the off-road segment sales increased 33% compared to the first nine months in 2009 and 49% for the last three months.?? Management reported a generally positive reaction from dealers to their new product introductions and that they gained market share during the quarter.?? Unit sales in this segment which includes ATVs and side-by-sides increased 20% in the 3rd quarter compared to last year with side-by-side growing by over 20% and ATVs experiencing a single digit increase.?? Learn more:?? Businesswire.com

Sam’s Club Feature Stealth UTV/LSV

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Tom Colangelo, a local LSV dealer in Florida’s The Villages (a master planned community), has teamed up with Stealth Corporation and Sam’s Club to offer Stealth’s electric powered utility vehicles at several Florida Sam’s Clubs.?? The vehicles are also part of the store’s auto buying program which can be accessed online.?? The Stealths meet LSV requirements so residents of The Villages can use them within the community and venture out onto public roads.

Comment: The combination off-road UTV/LSV is a recent trend, and as the story notes, provides a more versatile alternative to golf cars in these communities.?? These combination vehicles will likely start taking increasing market share from golf cars within the master planned community market segment.?? While golf cars have traditionally had a cost advantage, as more municipalities open up public roads to LSVs, versatility will start trumping price differences.?? Learn more:?? PRLog.org