Boeing UK & John Deere Introduce Robotic Gator For Military Market

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Marc Cesare

R-Gator A3 ACS developed jointly by Boeing UK and John Deere

Boeing UK and John Deere recently introduced the R-Gator A3 Assisted Carriage System (ACS) robotic utility vehicle for military applications. In development for two years, the vehicle has a 635 kg payload to help carry some of the gear modern soldiers require in the field. The vehicle can operate autonomously or manually under daylight or night conditions. John Deere borrowed from their M-Gator platform as well as their navigation, guidance and obstacle avoidance technology and expertise developed for the agriculture sector. The vehicle also features “…multiple tie-down points for sling loading, underbody skid plates, a front cargo rack and a rifle mount system to carry military specific loads.” Learn more: Defense-update.com

GreenTech Chooses Mississippi For EV Production

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Rendering of GreenTech Autmomotive's MyCar

GreenTech Automotive plans to build their two seat electric MyCar in Mississippi and export them to Europe where the market for urban NEVs is likely to be more robust. They are expected to be available there later this year. A number of industry commentators expressed reservations about the plan’s chances of success. Learn more: Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Garia Launches 4-Passenger Golf Car

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Garia introduces 4-passenger Garia 2+2

Last month luxury golf car manufacturer Garia introduced the Garia 2+2 a four passenger golf car. With an additional rear-facing seat, the company points to increased versatility beyond golf course use and into the areas of personal transportation and commercial use at hotels and resorts. The Garia 2+2 includes features such as:

•   Spacious carpeted 15 U.S. gals. / 58 liter storage room under the seat
•   Seat belts on rear seat
•   Non-slip floor foot rest •   Additional storage space between the seats   •   Gas damper to keep seat bench in upright position when accessing the   storage space under the seat

The Garia 2+2 is available in street-legal and non-street-legal versions.

Learn more: Garia.com

John Deere Fills Out XUV Line

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Marc Cesare

John Deere has added two more vehicles to their XUV line of crossover utility vehicles. The XUV 550 and 550 S4 are billed as mid-duty vehicles to complement the existing 625i, 825i and the 855D models. The vehicles offer 9 inches of wheel travel, 10.5 inches of ground clearance, 16-hp, 570 cc, air-cooled, v-twin gas engine, and 400 lbs of cargo capacity. The S4 can carry 4 people or convert to two and increase the cargo bed size by 32%. Both models are available in Realtree Hardwoods™ HD Camo or traditional John Deere green and yellow. Learn more: 4-traders.com

News Briefs

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Group Promotes LSVs in Augusta, GA – A newly formed group, the Augusta Greenway Alliance, has been formed to help increase awareness and support of LSVs. One vision includes linking the medical and downtown districts with LSV lanes. Learn more: Chronicle.augusta.com

Polaris Chooses Agency for GEM – Polaris Industries has chosen Nelson Schmidt Inc as the new agency to provide marketing and sales support for the recently acquired GEM business. Learn more: Wisbusiness.com

GM’s EN-V for China’s Eco-City – GM’s trio of two-wheeled neighborhood electric vehicles are being incorporated into plans for Tianjin, China’s futuristic eco-city. Being developed in conjunction with partners from Singapore, Tianjin will be

“…a large-scale prototype for the sort of sustainable, high-density communities we’re expected to see in the coming decades. Key features include a focus on renewable energy, mass transit (in the form of a light rail system) and – you guessed it – a development of GM’s EN-V.”

Learn more: Carscoop.blogspot.com

Arctic Cat’s New Wildcat Designed To Take On Polaris RZR XP 900

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Last week more information came out about Artic Cat’s Wildcat, an “ultra-performance” side-by-side, which is targeting the same market as the Polaris RZR XP 900. According to Arctic Cat management the vehicle is designed to exceed the performance of the Polaris offering. Some of the key features and capabilities include:

Engine: 951 cc, V-twin, SOHV, four-stroke, four-valve
13 inches of ground clearance
Full perimeter frame
5-point multi-link trailing arm suspension with 18 inches of travel
17 inches of travel in the front suspension
Walker Evans Racing shocks in the front and rear
Electronic power steering
LED headlights and taillights
300 lb cargo bed capacity

Learn more: ATVMagonline.com

Artic Cat Reports Fiscal 1st Quarter Results

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Arctic Cat reported that net sales increased 18 percent to $74.9 million in the fiscal 2012 first quarter ended June 30, 2011, up from net sales of $63.4 million in the prior-year first quarter. The company’s first quarter net loss improved to $2.3 million versus a net loss of $4.5 million. Arctic Cat typically reports a first quarter loss because most of its revenue is seasonal, occurring in their fiscal 2nd and 3rd quarters. Management reported that “Revenue grew across all product lines, with particularly strong sales of our Prowler side-by-side utility vehicles contributing to the quarter’s results.” Management also raised their guidance for full year sales to $520 to $530 million or a 12-14% increase over 2011. The increase is expected to be driven in part by the launch of their new sport utility vehicle the Wildcat. Learn more: Marketwatch.com

Polaris Introduces New 2012 RZR & Ranger Models

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Continuing their history of introducing new models and upgrading older ones, Polaris announced a number of new models and improvements to existing ones for their RZR and Ranger product lines. For the RZR line they have added the RZR 570 targeting consumers looking for the ride and dimensions of the RZR 800 but without all the power.

Polaris introduces the new RZR 570

The RZR 570 has an all-new ProStar 570 engine that’s a 4-valve DOHC unit which can power the side-by-side from 0 to 35 mph in 4 seconds according to Polaris. Other features include:

A new, lightweight transmission
9 inches of suspension travel front and rear
Front and rear anti-sway bars for flat cornering
On-demand all-wheel drive
Width of only 50 inches

The MSRP is $9,999 for the base vehicle. Other changes to the RZR lineup include upgrades to the 900 XP with Fox 2.0 shocks that feature new, convenient compression adjustment knobs for tool-less tuning, a rubber isolated prop shaft, new front suspension geometry and a new passenger grab bar tube with an anti-rattle bushing for reduced noise. The various RZR 800 models will all have

“…the new grab bar, improved cockpit fit and finish to reduce dust and heat on the operator, a front drive cage made from zinc for added durability, a durable dual clutch inlet for low and high speed cooling, and a 33-percent thicker skid plate. The RANGER RZR 800 also will receive a rubber jounce bumper in the shock assembly for improved durability and the RANGER RZR 4 800 also will feature the improved Fox 2.0 adjustable shocks with compression adjustable knobs.”

For the Ranger line Polaris has updated the Ranger 800 HD with their new Engine Braking System (EBS) which controls downhill braking to provide optimum control and smooth, even deceleration during descents. Polaris has also added the Ranger Crew Diesel with a 904cc, three-cylinder YANMAR engine, a fully-sealed, fixed center distance clutch driveline, a 55 amp alternator to operate electric powered accessories, one-ton towing capacity, 2 inch hitch receiver and a 1,000 lb cargo dump bed with gas-assist dumping. Learn more: ATVMagonline.com

Can-Am Adds Model To SxS Lineup

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Marc Cesare

For the 2012 model year Can-Am adds the Commander 1000 LTD

For the 2012 model year Can-Am is adding a Limited model to their Commander 1000 lineup. The company refers to the new addition as the “…industry’s first luxury, touring side-by-side.” The Comander 1000 LTD is similar to the Commander 1000 XT but adds the following package of features:

Front and rear Air Control Suspension (ACS) with Fox Racing Shox
Two-piece roof
Half windshield
Rear net
Removable Limited seats
Custom steering wheel
Two premium painted-plastic color options (Pure Magnesium and Orbital Blue)
Analog / digital gauge
Garmin GPS
Sound system with four speakers

The LTD’s suspension offers up to six different preset suspension preload levels selectable via a LCD display. Other features available across the Commander product line include a 85 hp engine, selectable 2WD/4WD and a dual level cargo box with tilt assist for dumping that can handle 400 lbs up top and 200 lbs below. Learn more: Motorcycle-USA.com

Comment: I would anticipate that we will see more “luxury” UTVs coming into the market moving forward. After adding performance features of on-road vehicles such as electronic fuel injection, I anticipate that they will follow the pattern of both pick-up trucks and SUVs which moved from utilitarian models to those with more comfort, convenience and luxury features. Of course, the slow economic recovery may put a damper on this trend in the short term.

California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Exhausts Funds

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Marc Cesare

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project operated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has exhausted the funding for zero emission vehicle rebates. Over 27 months the project doled out over $11 million for rebates on close to 2,000 vehicles. The rebates ranged from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the type of zero emission vehicle eligible – ranging from an electric motorcycle or NEV to highway capable passenger cars. CARB is proposing an expansion of the program by increasing funding to $15 million for 2011-12 and cutting the maximum rebate in half to $2,500 to allow a greater number of rebates.

According to the project website, the project has provided rebates for 38 NEVs, 45 zero emission motorcycles and about 1,900 zero emission passenger and commercial vehicles. Learn more: LATimesblogs.latimes.com

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