Green Tech Starts NEV Production

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Green Tech Automotive starts production of their MyCar NEV

A visit from former President Bill Clinton kicked off production at Green Tech Automotive’s Horn Lake, MS plant. The production line will manufacture the company’s MyCar NEV. Management, which includes former Democratic National Committee chief Terry McAuliffe, hopes to produce 10,000 vehicles in their first year. Many of these are destined for Denmark where Greenabout will distribute the vehicles. Pizza chain Domino’s will also use some of the vehicles. The company is targeting the fleet market with the vehicle which is priced at $18,000 and claims a maximum range of 95 miles for the top of the line model. The vehicles feature lithium batteries from Flux Power of California. Future plans include shipping vehicle components to China for final assembly in a to be built plant there as well as 300,000 square facility in Tunica County to produce up to 16,000 vehicles per year. Learn more: ClarionLedger.com

John Deere Targets Recreational Segment with New Gator

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Marc Cesare

John Deere has introduced the Gator RSX850i with more power and improved handling for the recreational UTV segment. The RSX850i comes in three variations: Sport, Trail and Base.

The Sport is designed for rocky and sandy terrain, the Trail for hunting , fishing and trails and the Base can be customized with various options. The Sport model features sport seats, alloy wheels with Maxxis tires, PreRunner bumper, cargo box rails, sport steering wheel and FOX® 2.0 Performance Series shocks. The Trail model features sport seats, alloy wheels with Maxxis tires, winch, front brushguard, 2 inches front receiver hitch with recovery loops, rear bumper and cargo box rails.

All the models have a 839cc fuel-injected engine that produces 62 hp, a top speed of 53 mph and 0-30 mph acceleration in three seconds. Learn more: Cattlenetwork.com

PMMC, Electric Scooter Manufacturer, Enters STOV Market

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (PMMC), a Taiwan-based electric scooter manufacturer has developed products for the mini city car and minitruck markets. According to management they expect to ship 5,000 of the their “Achensa” branded all electric vehicles. Northern European markets such as the Netherland, France, Germany, and the U.K. are the first export markets being targeted. Small production runs are expected later this month or in June. Learn more: CENS.com

Kawasaki Teryx4 Developed in the US

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Kawasaki Teryx4: First vehicle designed and developed primarily in Lincoln, NE

Kawasaki’s Teryx4 which hit dealer showrooms earlier this year was the first vehicle to be designed and developed primarily at the Lincoln, NE manufacturing facility. The Lincoln R&D team developed the vehicle from the ground up concentrating on the vehicle’s frame and chassis while their counterparts in Japan worked on the engine and styling. It was a two to three year process. The Lincoln facility currently produces nearly the full range of Kawasaki’s consumer products with most of production destined for the US market. Management reports that more full product re-designs are in the future for the Lincoln R&D team. Learn more: Journalstar.com

Renault Twizy 45: A Starter Car for Young UK Drivers?

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Renault Twizy 45

A law is pending in the UK that would allow unlicensed drivers 16 years or older to drive lightweight vehicles with a top speed of 28 mph. The Renault Twizy 45 would fit the bill. The vehicle costs just under $10,000 but insurance premiums are estimated to be as high as $6,000 for younger drivers. The details of the law are not finalized so Renault has not announced any marketing plans for the vehicle in the UK. Learn more: Hybridcars.com

BRP To Offer Electric Can Am Commander

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Marc Cesare

An electric Can Am Commander will be available in limited markets starting this July according to BRP management. The electric side-by-side will have top speed of about 25 mpg (40 km/hr) and a range of 25 to 100 miles depending on terrain, driving behavior and other factors. The vehicle will be produced at a new assembly plant located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, which will be used for gas vehicles as well. Select dealers will be used to launch the vehicle in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas and Virginia. Electric technology for the vehicle was developed at Centre de technologies avancees BRP-University de Sherbrooke (CTA). Learn more: Powersportsbusiness.com

Tomberlin Launches Emerge E2 XRLE Model

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Tomberlin just announced the newest addition to their LSV product line, the Emerge E2 XRLE. With this model Tomberlin has introduced an AC drive system to their LSV lineup. The new model is similar to the Emerge E2 LE in terms of creature comforts and the features and options but offers extended range and improved driving performance.

The main difference is the AC drive system which is paired with a Curtis controller. The powertrain also features a new axle design for less noise and more energy efficiency. The battery pack consists of eight 6-volt batteries for a range of 50+ miles depending on driving conditions. Learn more: Tomberlin.net

Kubota RTV400Ci Update

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Kubota's new RTV400Ci utility vehicle

I previously posted about Kubota’s addition of an RTV400 to their utility vehicle line. The official model designation is the RTV400Ci. In addition to what I noted before, the vehicle will be able to fit the bed of a full-size, long-bed pickup truck and has a top speed of 25 mph. It is available in Orange and Realtree® Hardwoods Camouflage. The compact RTV400Ci is pitched as being ideal for transport to worksites, for ranch use or hunting. Learn more: Marketwatch.com

Kubota Adds RTV 400 To Product Line

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Kubota has added the RTV 400 to their line of utility vehicles. Using the same chassis as the RTV 500, the RTV 400 features a one cylinder, 404cc, 16 hp engine with electronic fuel injection and a new Kubota designed continuously variable transmission. The new CVT maintains a taught belt at all times for “…a longer lasting belt and dynamic breaking.” The RTV 400 has the same cargo carrying capacity as the 500 but 200 lb less hauling capacity. Other features include:

Independent front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension
Selectable 2wd or 4wd and a differential lock
Compatibility with options for the RTV 500.

The vehicle is targeted for the similar farm and general utility markets as the RTV 500 according to management. Learn more: Agweb.com

Cushman Hauler UTV Line Launched in UK

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Marc Cesare

As part of a recent overhaul of their product lines in the UTV market, Textron, through it’s Ransomes Jacobsen subsidiary, recently launched their new Cushman Hauler line in the UK. The line features four models: Hauler 800, Hauler 1000, Hauler 1200 and Hauler 1200x. The Hauler 800 comes in electric or gas versions with a vehicle payload capacity of 363 kg. The Hauler 1000 is electric powered with a 465 kg payload capacity. The Hauler 1200 is gas driven with a 544 kg capacity. For rougher terrain the Hauler 1200x is offered in gas or electric versions with 15.2 cm and 13.5 cm of ground clearance and 454 kg and 363 kg payloads respectively. All but the Hauler 800 offer a larger volume cargo bed as an option. The electric powered models feature 48 volt systems and the gas models have 13 hp Kawasaki engines. Common standard features include:

Limited slip differential
Brush guard and integrated front bumper
Large integrated headlights

Other accessories are available for customizing. Learn more: Pitchcare.com

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