E-Z-GO Developments

Towards the end of last year E-Z-GO initiated a rebranding of some of their product lines.  They introduced their Terrain line of vehicles for what management describes as “trail-utility” applications and their Express line of vehicles for “trail-leisure” applications.  The Terrain line consists of the Terrain 250 and 1000 in gas and electric configurations and the Terrain 500 and 1500 in gas only configurations.  The Express line consists of the L4, S4, L6 and S6 models which all come in gas or electric versions.  One dealer’s website describes the Terrain line being for cargo and the Express line being for people.

From my understanding the old E-Z-GO ST product line has been rebranded as E-Z-GO Terrain & Express models, and as the Cushman Hauler models, and some as Bad Boy Buggies.  While the guts of the vehicles have not been changed substantially, the front body panel, the cowl, headlights and canopy top have been changed and the top supports are beefier as well.

E-Z-GO Exceed Hybrid Technology

E-Z-GO's Exceed Hybrid Technology Range Extender

E-Z-Go has also introduced a range extender technology for their Freedom RXV golf car and 2Five LSV.  The Exceed Hybrid Technology™ is a fully integrated supplemental power source which can extend the range of these vehicles up to 150 miles based on E-Z-Go’s test results.  The Exceed features a 6 hp, 205 cc gas generator which can recharge the batteries on the fly and provides a 400-watt power source for charging electronic devices.  System controls and the power source outlet are located on the dashboard.  The generator fits into the vehicle’s bagwell with a custom cover. Learn more:  Ezgo.com

 

Garia News

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

Toro UTVs At Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

In what has to be one of the most unique applications for UTVs, Toro’s MD line of utility vehicles will help anchor and guide the balloons at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Toro dealer, Storr Tractor company of NJ, will provide 42 MDX gas powered vehicles vehicles and 4 MDE electric powered vehicles for the parade which travels down a 2.5 mile route through Manhattan. Learn more:  Marketwatch.com

Club Car Extends European Tour Partnership

Club Car has extended their partnership with professional golf’s European Tour through 2014 including the 2014 Ryder Cup.  As part of the deal Club Car provides 70 or more golf cars and utility vehicles at each of 26 tournaments during the year.  At the Ryder Cup upwards of 300 vehicles are provided for promoters anda variety of support staff.  Club Car has worked with the tour since 1999.  Learn more:  Thesportscampus.com

ePower Trucks: Exclusive GEM Distributor in UK

ePower Trucks of Oldham, Greater Manchester in the UK has been named the exclusive distributor for GEM vehicles in the country.  The company already sells a wide range of electric vehicles for commercial utility and transportation applications.  Learn more:  Fleetnews.co.uk

Polaris Invests In Electric Motorcycle Manufacturer Brammo

Polaris Industries is the lead investor for Brammo’s second round of financing totaling $28 million.  Existing investors Alpine Energy and Northport Investments are also involved in supporting the electric motorcycle manufacturer for this round of financing.  In total the company has raised nearly $40 million in financing since 2008.

Brammo is known for their battery and electric powertrain technology.  The investment by Polaris should not only have synergies with their motorcycle products but with their electric utility vehicles and recently acquired GEM product line.  Brammo has also partnered with Flextronics for manufacturing.  Learn more:  Techcrunch.com

Hotel’s “Green Package” Includes LSV Usage

The Courtyard Charleston Historic District hotel in Charleston, SC includes use of an LSV as part of their “Be Keen and Go Green” package for guests.  Guests have 24 hour access to the hotel’s Lightning Bugz vehicle, an LSV, to tour the city’s historic district and other locations.  The package includes “…overnight accommodations, a tote bag with sun block, detailed map of Charleston outlining unique alleyways, attractions and city parking, breakfast for two in the Courtyard’s own Bistro and 24-hour access to the hotel’s Lightning Bugz vehicle. ”  Learn more:  Marketwire.com

John Deere Marketing Initiatives

Drive Green Challenge – For a third year John Deere will be bringing their Drive Green Challenge to select dealerships in the Midwest and East Coast.  A total of 60 dealerships will be visited by a customized promotional tractor trailer with various Deere equipment for test drives and demonstrations.

A unique Gator utility vehicle – the “Tail Gator” XUV, complete with speakers and other gadgets – will be featured at the sites. In addition, there will be a drawing for a similar machine at the end of the summer, to be given to one visitor to the Challenge’s various dates.

Other dealerships will have satellite versions of the Challenge.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

Gator XUV Configurator – John Deere has added a new feature to their website, a configurator for their Gator XUV model.  The features allows for a range of vehicle customizations which are then sent to a dealer for a quote.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

John Deere Sponsors Iowa NASCAR Event – An Iowa Speedway event has been renamed the John Deere Dealer’s 250.  The NASCAR event on May 22nd is expected to attract over 50,000 fans including a few thousand John Deere equipment owners as part of a dealer tie-in.  Ten free one-year leases for a Gator utility vehicle will be given away as part of the promotion.  Learn more:  Machinefinder.com

Kandi Technologies Receives Large EV Order For Italy

Kandi Technologies has received a purchase order from Share corporation of Italy for 1,000 electric vehicles.  Share was founded in 2010 to reinforce and develop new industrial and commercial activities, including the marketing of electric cars with zero emissions.  This EV order fits into the plans of the Rome city government to introduce more EVs into the city to reduce pollution and protect ancient sites.  Kandi’s management expects the Italian market to serve as a launching point for further expansion into Europe.  Learn more:  Coalgeology.com

More Tomberlin Vanish Marketing Videos

Tomberlin continues their series of “Shootout” themed marketing videos that compares the Tomberlin Vanish to a Bad Boy Buggy, although this time the videos are without the spaghetti western intro music.  One video compares the ground clearance of the vehicles and the other compares how their respective suspensions handle a bumpy test course and impacts driver safety.  Learn more:  Youtube.com & Youtube.com