Category Archives: market trends

GatorMoto Offers Back Up Camera On Vehicles

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GatorMoto now offers a back up camera option for all their electric vehicles.

These systems can either be hard-wired or wireless, depending on your requirements.?? They feature a 7??? TFT-LCD monitor that can also be used for DVD/VCD/TV/GPS, a multi-function remote control and a camera with infrared night vision capabilities up to 10-15 meters.

The equipment is waterproof, damp-proof, anti-fogging, quake-proof, high voltage surge proof, and high temperature resistant.?? They are suitable for all weather conditions.

The hard-wire version costs $359 and the wireless version $459.?? The company promotes the camera as a safety option for parking shuttles, touring vehicles and delivery vehicles.

Learn more:?? Gatormotoutilityvehicles.com

KB Homes To Offer Houses Pre-wired For EVs

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KB Homes is offering EV charging infrastructure as an option in their ???Built to Order??? new home construction package.?? The option would provide technology for either EVs or plug-in hybrid vehicles and would get rid of the need for homeowners to retro-fit their new home.?? This option fits into KB Homes overall initiative for building homes to an Energy Star standard and appealing to the demand for “greener” homes.?? Electric vehicle proponents view the development of charging infrastructure in homes and public places as an important step in allaying range anxiety and demonstrating the permanency of the technology.?? – Marc Cesare

Learn more:?? Blog.fleetowner.com

Electric Vehicle Dealerships Struggle In Bay Area

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A recent story chronicles the struggles of a number of electric vehicle dealerships in the San Francisco area.?? Some have closed their doors, others report low sales and some are changing their focus to the commercial market and/or their product mix.?? The latter includes switching to off-road electric vehicles and electric bikes or scooters.

The factors causing a downturn for these dealerships, which primarily sell LSVs, include lower gas prices, a poor economy in which these vehicles as a second car become a luxury, and the inability to drive the vehicles on highways.?? Learn more:?? Contracostatimes.com

Comment: It is not clear that this trend is a national one or local, given the level of highway use in California.?? In 2009 LSV sales were robust as a whole because of generous federal tax credits.?? I think in areas that have a history of widespread use of these vehicles as well as golf cars, electric vehicle dealerships should have a better chance of success.?? Unfortunately for many of these dealerships, they opened not too long before the economic downturn. As the economy rebounds and electric vehicles that can attain highway speeds come to market, it will be interesting to see if these type of dealerships start to increase again. – Marc Cesare

Washington State Considering Electric Vehicle Fee

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Apparently concerned about losing revenue as plug-in electric vehicles replace gas and diesel powered vehicles, the state of Washington is considering having an annual $100 registration fee for electric vehicles. The policy is also an attempt to make sure that all drivers pay for their fair share of maintaining the roads. As the author of the story points out, NEVs will most likely be affected by the bill in the short term, but being lighter than full-speed vehicles, have less impacts on the roads. Learn more: Allcarselectric.com

ZAP Lands Order For Electric SUVs

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Zap to make electric SUVs for Korean market

Zap to make electric SUVs for Korean market

Zap announced last week that they received an order from Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. for 100 electric SUVs. the vehicles wil be manufactured in partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. The electric SUV, to be based on Jonway???s A380 5-door SUV, will have a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 100 mph. The target market in Korea is fleet vehicles for intra-campus transportation for large government, military, corporate and university campuses. according to ZAP the vehicles will be assembled in China at ZAP Hangzhou, a joint venture recently formed with Holley Group, a global supplier of electric power meters based in Hangzhou, and Better World International Limited, funded by Cathaya Funds. The contract is reflective of a strong push in the electric vehicle market by the Korean government. – Marc Cesare Learn more: Zapglobal.wordpress.com

Mini-Truck Developments

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Sarge mini-truck from Sokon USA?????????? Photo by Branimir Kvartuc

Sokon USA – After encountering quality issues with their first attempt several years ago under the Mattruck brand, Hal Ferrell and Michael Lewis of Sokon USA have launched a mini-truck based hunting vehicle.?? Selling under the brand Sarge, these mini-trucks feature four wheel drive, a 45 hp engine and a 25 mph top speed.?? The company claims the vehicles are classified as LSVs and are street legal depending on state and local regulations.

The vehicle, which seats five, is sourced from China based DFM (Dong Feng Motor), a subsidiary of Chongqing Yuan Group and will retail for about $14,500.?? In addition to the hunting market, the vehicle will compete against utility vehicles in the construction, turf, ranching, farming and government markets.?? Learn more:?? Dealernewsblog.com

DFM Mini-truck (Thailand) -?? Driven by rising demand in the Thai market, the company is talking to the parent company DFM of China about?? manufacturing vehicles in Thailand rather than importing them from China.?? Learn more:?? Thailandchat.org

Farming Market Showing Strength For Utility Vehicles

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Signs of a strong farm segment were apparent at the recent Iowa Power Farming Show held earlier this month.?? Both the number of visitors and exhibitors increased from last year’s show.?? Organizers surveyed over 2,000 attendees on their purchase plans for 2010.?? Utility vehicles ranked fifth in the results with 11.4% of respondents indicating that they planned to purchase utility vehicles.?? They were behind tractors, guidance/precision ag equipment, grain bins/dryers and pick-up trucks.?? As a comparison 14.7% of respondents were planning on purchasing pick-up trucks.

I spoke with the show director Tom Junge and while he did not have a utility vehicle percentage from last year’s show he reported that the category placed fifth that year as well.?? He also remarked that the grain segment as opposed to the livestock segment in the agriculture market has been strong the past year and this is expected to continue this year as well. – Marc Cesare Learn more:?? Agrinews.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Mini-truck Based Mobile Grocery Store

Mini-truck Based Mobile Grocery Store

Mobile Grocery Store – In Thailand DFM Mini Truck Co is teaming up with?? Siam Makro Plc to launch a mobile grocery store concept.?? A specially designed vehicle with product inventory will be sold to grocery-store owners for use as mobile grocery stores, restaurants, bakery or coffee shops.?? According to reports the trucks will be available in two formats. The counter format allows shoppers to buy products around the truck and the walk-in format allows customers to choose products inside.

The truck and inventory will sell for the equivalent of about $15,000 US and owners will have seven product groups from which to choose.?? The companies estimate that owners can break even in one year and expect to initially sell 100 vehicles through a special marketing roadshow that will demo the concept.?? The DFM mini-trucks are imported from China.?? Learn more:?? Bangkokpost.com

Deere & Boeing Defence UK Working On Robotic Gator

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John Deere R-Gator Utility Vehicle

John Deere and Boeing Defence UK have announced a 17 month development project to enhance the capabilities of the R-Gator, Deere’s robotic utility vehicle for the military market.?? Boeing will be adding technologies to the vehicle to improve performance as an Assisted Carriage System (ACS).

The John??Deere R-Gator??? ACS can support an infantry section of up to eight men, and offload 1400 lbs. of individual equipment. It is designed to carry an increased level of ready combat supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations. Most importantly, the vehicle can operate autonomously, be driven manually, and be reconfigured to meet a multitude of ground support needs.

The R-gator is based on Deere’s Gator XUV utility vehicle.?? Learn more:?? Deere.com

Electric Truck Developments

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ZeroTruck Corp. – The company’s ZeroTruck, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis, was recently added to the GSA schedule for government purchasing. The ZeroTruck features a low cab-forward design, a fully automated transmission, a range u to 100 miles and is fully highway capable. The vehicle is available at Central Truck Center of Landover, Maryland and through select Isuzu dealerships in California, Colorado, North Carolina, and New York. Learn more: Your-story.org Comment: While in theory a vehicle like this could offer competition to utility vehicles that are displacing pickup trucks in certain market segments, at a cost of over $100,000 this is not likely to happen anytime soon. – Marc Cesare

Electric Motor Cars – The company has just introduced a two-seat electric pickup which is based on the Dacia Logan. Dacia is a subsidiary of Renault and the trucks are built in Romania. The company reports the vehicles may be assembled in Florida or Iowa in the future. The pick up sells for $33,950 and van and station wagon versions will also be available. The vehicles are powered by nickel sodium chloride, “ZEBRA” batteries, which will charge in 3 hours on 220 volts or up to 8 hours when powered by 110 volts. The company claims a range of 260 miles and reports that around 100 vehicles will be available in about one month. Currently three dealers distribute the vehicles. Learn more: Trucktrend.com

Zap – According to this post Zap is rolling out a larger electric truck for industrial and fleet use. Learn more: Hybridfriends.com

India Electric Truck Market -Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Reva Electric Car Company are planning to launch electric trucks and passenger carriers in the sub-one-tonne segment. Tata Motors has developed an electric version of the Ace which could debut soon. M&M, likewise, is working on a variant for the recently launched 0.9-tonne Maxximo.?? The sub-tonne segment in India numbers 100,000 vehicles annually.?? The companies are targeting applications for large shopping mall and residential complexes, airports and?? intra-city transport.?? While there is no mention of?? exporting the vehicles to other markets , previously Tata and GEM announced they were working on an electric version of the ACE for the US.

Learn more:?? Thehindubusinessline.com