Category Archives: new vehicle

Mission Golf Car to Distribute New Ford Shelby Specialty Golf Car

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Ford Shelby GT500 Golf Car

Mission Golf Cars of San Antonio, TX has recently agreed to become a distributor for the new Ford Shelby GT500 golf car. The GT500 is the only officially licensed golf car of the Ford Motor Company. Key features of the golf car include:

  • Hand-laid fiberglass body with PPGPaint
  • SVT Inspired 12” wheels
  • Six Standard Ford Shelby GT500 colors
  • Locking front storage trunk
  • 48v DC motor (AC drive available)
  • Vinyl and ultra suede upholstered seats
  • Turn signals, horn and emergency flashers
  • Fold-down windshield
  • Limited three-year warranty

Learn more:  PRWeb.com

Polaris Adds Model To Brutus Commercial Line

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Newly launched Brutus with cab model from Polaris for the commercial UTV market

Polaris has added a Brutus with cab model to their Brutus commercial UTV product line. The new model takes the base Brutus vehicle and adds some features that are available on the existing Brutus HD and Brutus HDPTO versions. The new model includes a fully enclosed, factory-installed cab with heat, defrost and air conditioning. In addition, there is an electric bed lift. The Brutus with cab, which is also referred to as a Limited Edition Model on the Polaris website, has an MSRP of $20,999 compared to the base Brutus model with an MSRP of $15,199. Learn more:  UTVGuide.net

Comment:  Polaris is known for frequently adding to their product lines to reach a variety of market sub-segments and price points with specific vehicles or vehicle configurations. Their speed of product introduction and ability to deliver value across a range of price points has to be considered one of their competitive advantages. This Brutus product variation comes only five months after the initial product lineup was announced in March.

Bad Boy Mowers Expands: Targets UTV Market

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Intimidator multi-terrain vehicle from Bad Boy Mowers

Bad Boy Mowers of Arkansas has announced plans to hire more than 200 people in the next three to five years as the company expands it’s offerings in the UTV market. The manufacturer of lawn mowers also started producing utility vehicles several years back but has moved more aggressively into the UTV market with the launch of the affiliated company and brand, Intimidator in 2011. The company spent $7.5 million to expand their plant for the new product line.

The Intimidator series features a 1,600-pound payload and a 2,100-pound towing capacity. The company will be producing 10 new multi-terrain vehicles, as they like to call them, expanding the total number of models they offer to 16. The Intimidator product line includes diesel, gas and electric versions. Previously, under the Bad Boy Mower brand the company has also offered a range of UTVs including some that are LSV compliant UTVs. Learn more:  PBCommercial.com

Comment:  And the competition in the UTV market continues, this time in the work UTV segment. Creating a new brand is probably the best way to go as UTVs do not initially come to mind with the name Bad Boy Mowers. There could also be some confusions and possibly even legal issues with the Bad Boy Buggies brand owned by E-Z-GO. However, the company should still be able to leverage the Bad Boy Mower dealer network, which at first glance seems concentrated in the Midwest and East, to grow the Intimidator line. Distribution is key in this market as so many manufacturers entered from adjacent markets like powersports, farming, power equipment, golf, etc. They often can reach parts of the market or certain segments with their traditional distribution networks but then have trouble expanding further.

New Polaris Ranger Midsize Models For 2014

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New 2014 Polaris Ranger 570 EFI

Along with their new RZR XP 1000, Polaris is also introducing new models for their lineup of Ranger utility vehicles for work applications. The new models include the Ranger Crew 900, Ranger 570 EFI and Ranger Crew 570 EFI.

The Ranger Crew 900 features a 60-horsepower ProStar 900 engine, the ability to tow one ton, a new high capacity battery and stator, and an integrated Lock & Ride PRO-FIT cab accessories. It also has a more rigid chassis, and extended wheel base, 1 in. more rear suspension travel and 11 in of ground clearance. The cargo box is wide enough to fit a pallet and has a 1,000 lb capacity. The engine is located under the cargo box providing a quieter ride.

Similar to the Ranger XP 900 cab frame, the new Ranger Crew 900 frame also features profile tubing, providing a 360-degree sealing surface for every cab component. Windshields, roofs, doors and rear panels follow the shape of the vehicle, locking directly into the cab frame’s precision contours. The cabs are 60 percent quieter at idle and 40 percent quieter at 20 mph. The vehicle fits five people and has a new center console, more storage and cup holders and tilt steering wheel. The Ranger Crew 900 is available in Sage Green, Solar Red and Polaris Pursuit Camo. Limited Edition models include Sunset Red and Titanium Matte Metallic. Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is standard on the Polaris Pursuit Camo and Limited Edition models.

The  Ranger 570 EFI and Ranger Crew 570 EFI feature a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 570 engine delivering smooth acceleration and 25 percent more power than previous models. The models also features a new transmission, a quieter ride with the engine located behind the seat, a larger stator for operating more accessories and electronic power steering on Limited Edition models. The standard editions for both models are available  in Sage Green, Solar Red and Polaris Pursuit Camo.

Learn more:  ATVIllustrated.com

 

Polaris Announces New 2014 RZR XP 1000

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New 2014 RZR XP 1000 from Polaris

The competition in the side-by-side sport recreation segment continues to heat up with the latest model introduction from Polaris. The new 2014 RZR XP 1000 features a 999cc engine with a reported 107 hp.  This would give the RZR the largest and most powerful engine in the segment. Other key improvements to the top of the line RZR include:

  • A tubular steel chassis
  • Retuned, high performance PVT system
  • Redesigned 3-Link trailing arm rear suspension giving the vehicle 13.5 inches of ground clearance
  • 29 in. Maxxis Bighorn tires on all new 14-inch cast rims
  • Adjustable Walker Evans Position Sensitive Anti-Bottoming Needle Shocks for all for wheels
  • 18 inches of rear travel and 16 inches of front travel
  • Electronic power steering
  • Dual-piston calipers and larger 248mm ventilated discs on all four corners

The interior of the new RZR XP 1000 from Polaris

There were also improvements to the interior over previous RZR models.

  • New seats with more hip cushioning and a new thin-film technology under the cover for a drier ride in wet conditions
  • Tool-less seat sliders
  • New, flow-through tongue seat belt design that is easier to adjust and retract
  • Larger glovebox
  • Sealed smartphone storage
  • LED floor lighting and backlit instrument panel
Other improvements include:
  • 9.5 gallon fuel tank
  • Larger cargo box with more tie-downs
  • Better integration with Polaris accessories for easy installation
The RZR XP 1000 will be offered in White Lightning and Titanium Matte Metallic, and will be available at Polaris dealerships in August.  The MSRP starts at $19,999.

Learn more:  Polaris.com

Quadski Maker Gibbs Looks to Expand

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Quadski from Gibbs Sports Amphibians

Gibbs Sports Amphibians, the manufacturer of the Quadski, is planning to launch to new models and expand their dealer network.  The Quadski is an amphibious vehicle that converts from an ATV to a PWC in less than five seconds. Gibbs currently has five dealers for the Quadski but expects to have one hundred dealers by the end of 2014. They will need the increased distribution as the company expects to produce 1,000 Quadskis this year. Gibbs is also looking to export their product to international markets.

The Quadski costs about $40,000 and is available in blue, black, yellow, silver and red. It is powered by a 175 hp BMW Motorrad engine and can reach speeds of 45 mph on land or in the water.  In addition to the Quadski, Gibbs is planning on launching new consumer, commercial and military products over the next 18 months. Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  Selling 1,000 of these vehicles at $40,000 apiece is an ambitious goal, especially as a purely leisure vehicle. On the other hand, law enforcement and military organizations might find this to be a compelling technology for specific applications and could help meet that goal. The Quadski does represent the continuing innovation and product advancements in the STOV market. Lately the versatility of the vehicles has been a focus, whether it is convertible seating in the Honda Pioneer UTV, the ability to use various work attachments in the Polaris/Bobcat Brutus or now the ability to travel on land or water. It is the versatility of STOVs and the ability to match the vehicle to an application or specific set of applications that has helped the market grow strongly in an overall slow economic recovery.

Polaris to Announce New RZR July 29th

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Polaris is set to unveil their new 2014 RZR on July 29th, the first day of the OEM’s dealer meeting. There is also a consumer contest with five RZR’s being given away connected with the unveil.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  It will be interesting to see what new features and/or capabilities the new RZR will have. Attractive growth and profit margins in the recreational segment of the side-by-side market has increased the competition between the various OEMs and driven improvements and innovations in horsepower, ground clearance, vehicle suspensions and other capabilities.

Mixed Reviews for the Yamaha Viking

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Yamaha’s new Viking utility vehicle

The new 2014 Yamaha Viking UTV received both positive and negative reviews from a mix of dealers who saw the vehicle in person and consumers commenting online about the various features of the vehicle.  In general, dealers sound more positive about the vehicle and see it as a step forward as Yamaha moves on from their Rhino offering. For dealers they find the value of the vehicle appealing. The three person seating capacity and other features make for a vehicle that can crossover from recreation to hunting to work. The versatility also comes at a nice price point for dealers, $11,499, the same as the 2013 Rhino. The dealers also liked Yamaha’s plans to introduce a new model for each of the next five years. Consumers were hoping the vehicle would be powered by a new engine rather than the modified version of the Rhino engine that is being used. Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  Once the Viking actually starts being sold and used by consumers the real assessment of the vehicle will be made. Nonetheless, the new Viking from Yamaha and plans for new model introductions annually is another sign of increasing competitiveness in the growing UTV market. With the likes of Honda, Arctic Cat, John Deere and Can Am all adding new models or whole new product lines, consumers should be the real winners in the long run as the competition drives new feature innovation and value pricing.

Honda Starts Pioneer UTV Production in South Carolina

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Governor Nikki Haley helps Honda kick-off production of the new Honda Pioneer UTV

Honda held a big event at their South Carolina manufacturing facility to mark the start of production of their new 2014 Pioneer UTV. Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina was in attendance. The company has added 65 jobs specifically for the new product line and will be investing a total of $27 million over the next few years. The company is also celebrating its 15th year of producing powersports products at the facility where ATVs and engines are also made.

The Pioneer lineup includes the 700 and 700-4 which features convertible seating. Both are a crossover type side-by-side for use in recreation and work applications. The vehicles replace the Big Red UTV and will be available starting in August and September at approximately 900 dealers nationwide compared to 500 for the Big Red.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Comment:  From my point of view the interesting part of this story is the significantly larger number of dealers that will be selling the Pioneer. I speculate that more Honda dealers are seeing the UTV market as a good growth opportunity that they want to take advantage of, and they believe the new offering from Honda will be appealing to their customers. I believe the Pioneer offers some innovations that differentiate it in the market more so than the Big Red model did.

Renault Offers Twizy Cargo for Commercial Use

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Renault’s Twizy Cargo for urban commercial use

France-based Renault is modifying their commuter vehicle, the Twizy Z.E., to be used as a small commercial vehicle for cargo transport. Whereas the Twizy Z.E. features two seats with the passenger behind the driver, the Twizy Cargo will be a one-seater with cargo space. Both are electric powered vehicles. With 6.53 cubic feet of cargo space and a 165 lb payload the vehicle is best used for small package delivery in urban environments. The top speed of the Twizy 45 Cargo is limited to 27 mph which means in some European countries a driver doesn’t need a license. The Twizy 80 Cargo has a top speed of 52 mph and requires a licensed driver.  Durability issues with the vehicle raise concerns about the ability of the vehicle to withstand more demanding commercial usage. Learn more:  Plugincars.com

Comment:  Europe and some other regions have relatively more relaxed vehicle regulations than the US when it comes to smaller vehicles such as the Twizy.  With their older cities and narrower streets, they arguably have a greater need for them as well. Thus, the market and regulatory bodies have responded with a variety of vehicles and vehicle classifications to meet the market needs. Europe will continue to be a more fertile ground than the US for these low speed vehicles in the foreseeable future unless US regulations change. This is one reason why Polaris in recent years has made acquisitions in the European market and sees potential for their GEM brand internationally.