E-Z-GO Highlights from the PGA Show

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Marc Cesare

Cushman Hauler 72V – E-Z-GO introduced their new Cushman Hauler 72V at the PGA Show. The electric utility vehicle features an AC motor and 72 volt electric drivetrain. The vehicle has a total capacity of 1,000 pounds, 9.6 cubic foot cargo box and a range of at least 50 miles. A limited-slip differential is an available option.

The AC motor in the new Cushman Hauler 72V

Battery pack for the new Cushman Hauler 72V

Refresher 1200 – One of the most innovative vehicles I saw at the show was the new Cushman Refresher 1200. The food/beverage/merchandise vehicle was developed for E-Z-GO by 19th Hole Cart and features what they call FlexServe Technology, a modular design that allows an operator to easily swap out different sections of the vehicle to customize the mix of food, beverage and merchandise offerings. This customization should allow the facility to generate more revenue from a better mix of products throughout the day. Some of the key features of the vehicle include:

All aluminum construction for the food/merchandise unit
Modular design with compartments in 6, 12, or 18 inch widths that can be swapped out
Wrap around work counter
Slide out merchandise rack
Two cooler sections on each side
Vehicle’s center of gravity is moved forward and separate cooler units limits weight shifting while driving
Gas vehicle powered by a 13 hp Kawasaki engine
Beverage area in back can be switched from coffee to liquor

The flexible design allows for a wide range of potential markets for the Refresher 1200 beyond the golf course including stadiums, promotional vehicles, food trucks, etc. In addition, from the OEM’s point of view the vehicle can produce additional revenue as buyers will want to have additional modules to swap in and out.

Newly designed Cushman Refresher 1200 with modular and swappable units

The merchandise rack on the Refresher 1200 slides out of either side of the vehicle.

PGA Merchandise Show Highlights

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Marc Cesare

I was at the PGA Show last week in Orlando, FL that features a wide range of products and services pertaining to golf, including small, task-oriented vehicles and related products. I will be posting about some of what I saw there throughout the week.

New from Yamaha – Yamaha introduced their new Adventurer Sport vehicles at the show as well as featuring their electronic fuel-injected Concierge 4 and Personal Transportation Vehicle (PTV).

The new 2013 Yamaha Adventurer with flip-down rear seat that converts to utility configuration.

: The new 2013 Yamaha Adventurer Sport 2+2 with electronic fuel injection

2013 Yamaha Adventurer Sport with 20 inch all terrain tires

The new Adventurer vehicles feature a beefier suspension, increased ground clearance, 20-inch all terrain tires and electronic fuel injection. The vehicles are targeted for off-road users with agriculture, estate and general utility needs and will be available March 1. Electronic fuel injection is an important feature that is appearing in more and more small, task-oriented vehicles. In an upcoming post I’ll talk more about this and other STOV trends I saw represented by new products at the show.

Polaris Introduces RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Marc Cesare

Polaris announced the addition of the limited edition RZR XP 900 H.O. Jagged X Edition to their high-end recreational side-by-side line-up. The vehicle features a high output version of the Polaris Prostar 900 twin EFI engine which bumps the power from 88 to 94 hp. Other key features include:

Stainless steel SLP® exhaust with dual outlets for increased exhaust flow and an aggressive race-inspired sound
26-inch longer wheelbase and Walker Evans 2.5” Body Rear Shocks
Five-point, harness-ready PRP seats
Electronic power steering
Weather-sealed, lockable and removable dual cargo boxes in the rear cab area

For styling the top-of-the-line model has “… black, blue and white Jagged X-inspired graphics, the vehicle sports matching factory-installed doors, Voodoo Blue painted suspension springs and valve cover, a race-inspired, color-matched, custom cab frame with integrated rear cab frame extension that wraps around the rear bed and Bighorn tires on Black painted Walker Evans beadlock wheels with color-matched beadlock rings.” A “very limited” number of the vehicles will be at dealerships at the end of this month. The MSRP for the vehicle starts at $21,999. Learn more: Polaris.com or Vehicle Info

Virginia Rejected Factory Incentives for MyCar LSV Manufacturer

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Greentech Automotive, maker of the MyCar LSV, had their request for incentives to build a factory rejected by the state of Virginia before receiving help from Mississippi where they opened a plant in Tunica last summer. The rejection, based on the lack of viability of their business plan, is currently of interest because the company chairmanTerry McAuliffe, formerly Chair of the Democratic National Committee, is now a gubernatorial candidate for Virginia. Virginia officials questioned whether the goal of selling 100,000 MyCars was realistic given that the company “… lacked brand recognition, had not demonstrated anything about the vehicle, did not have emissions approval from the EPA, had no distribution network, and had nobody in executive management with experience in automobile manufacturing.” Greentech Automotive is positioning the $10,000 MyCar as an affordable electric vehicle alternative to much higher priced highway speed EVs. Learn more: Torquenews.com

Comment: While LSVs have developed their niche and can be used in a variety of commercial and consumer applications, their sales have never approached the level that MyCar is predicting. Their target of 100,000 would surpass what has cumulatively been sold in the US to date.

Arctic Cat Announces 4-Seat Wildcat

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Arctic Cat will launch the four seat Wildcat 4 1000 early next year.

Arctic Cat will be launching a 4-seat Wildcat 4 1000 in February 2013. The new model will include a new clutching system from Team Industries and have a MSRP of $19,599. Other changes include a new sway bar paired with PODIUM FOX SHOX and a 29 inch longer frame to accomodate the additional passengers. Additional key features include a 951cc engine, EPS and three metallic paint options: Sunset Orange, Black and Arctic Green. Learn more: Arcticcat.com

EV Green USA Opens Second EV Franchise

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Marc Cesare

EV Green USA, a manufacturer of small electric vehicles, has opened their second sales location in Cathedral City, CA. Franchise owner Darryl Atkinson sees the economic advantages of the vehicles as the primary driver for demand with environmental benefits as secondary. EV Green USA produces a wide range of electric LSV models from those used for personal transportation to commercial shuttles to work utility vehicles and off-road hunting vehicles. Prices range from $10,500 to $14,500 for the vehicles that are assembled in Norco, CA from a mixture of mostly China sourced components and some US sourced parts. Learn more: Mydesert.com

Bad Boy Buggies Adds 3 New Models

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Marc Cesare

New Bad Boy Buggie Instinct

Bad Boy Buggies recently announced three new all electric UTVs: the Recoil, Recoil iS and Instinct. Key features for the Recoil and Recoil iS include:

Full-time 4WD
72-volt AC electric drivetrain
Range up to 40 miles
Rack and pinion steering
Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
New styling
Safety features: OPS, 3-point seat belts & side safety nets
Optional, factory-installed rear seat that converts into a cargo deck
MSRP: Recoil $11,999 and the Recoil iS $13,499

The Recoil has an independent front suspension and 5.9 cubic foot cargo bed while the Recoil iS features four-wheel independent suspension and a 10.2 cubic foot cargo bed and nine 8-volt batteries for greater range.

For those with less demanding transportation needs the Instinct features 2WD and a range up to 50 miles. Other features include:

72-volt AC electric drivetrain
Rack and pinion steering
Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
Safety features: 3-point seat belts & side safety nets
MSRP: $9,599

Learn more: Powersportsbusiness.com

Polaris Introduces 2013 GEM Lineup

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Marc Cesare

2013 GEMeL XD with dual tool box option

Polaris announced their 2013 line of GEM vehicles which include a variety of improvements. The 2013 lineup features the GEM e2, e4, e6, eS, eL, and eL XD models with starting MSRPs of $7,829 to $13,459. The company borrowed technology from their powersports products for some of the improvements. Key changes include:

High-low beam headlamps
Day-night mirror to reduce reflective glare.
Improved front brakes, suspension, steering and foot pedals
Factory-installed MAX BOX with cargo doors and a dual tool chest option for select utility vehicles
Updated color options
Charging cordsets for international markets

New hard doors with better sealing and locks are expected to be available in 2013. Learn more: Government-fleet.com

Polaris Continues EV Strategy With E-Bike Offering

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Several years ago Polaris made a strategic decision to enter the electric vehicle market and has continued to execute on that strategy with their recent introduction of electric bicycles in partnership with EVantage. Leaving larger-sized electric vehicles for other manufacturers, Polaris has targeted smaller electric vehicles such a LSVs/NEVs through their GEM acquisition, small utility vehicles through their Goupil Industry SA acquisition, electric motorcycles with their Brammo investment and now e-bikes.

Launched last week at the bicycle industry trade show, Interbike, the e-bike offerings include three product lines with a total of seven models. The Vector, Strive and Meridian lines target trail/all-around applications, touring and urban commuting respectively. Key features of the e-bikes include:

DuoDrive motor technology that allows for switching between speed or higher-torque settings automatically to adjust for riding conditions
Re-generative braking
IC dashboard including a carbon footprint readout
Ability to use pedal assist or throttle control while riding

Comment: The EV strategy is also a strategy for Polaris to expand into and grow international markets. While all these vehicle types have a market in the US, their is currently greater potential for these vehicles internationally such as in Europe and India for small, urban utility/cargo vehicles and electric bikes in Asian markets.

Learn more: Powersportsbusiness.com

Sevcon Chosen As Controller Supplier By Chinese EV Maker

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Marc Cesare

AUCMA Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd has selected Sevcon to provide motor controllers for their new light truck, the A-2. The China-based EV manufacturer will use Sevcon’s Gen4 digital motor controller with regenerative braking in the A-2. The A-2 features a 70 volt 16kw AC motor and has a range of 150 km and a top speed of 50 km/hr. The vehicle is designed for municipal fleets and can be configured as a flatbed or cargo box. The company is targeting domestic and export markets such as the US where partially assembled vehicles will be shipped to California for further assembly. Learn more: Marketwatch.com

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