Category Archives: new vehicle

Sam’s Club Feature Stealth UTV/LSV

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Tom Colangelo, a local LSV dealer in Florida’s The Villages (a master planned community), has teamed up with Stealth Corporation and Sam’s Club to offer Stealth’s electric powered utility vehicles at several Florida Sam’s Clubs.  The vehicles are also part of the store’s auto buying program which can be accessed online.  The Stealths meet LSV requirements so residents of The Villages can use them within the community and venture out onto public roads.

Comment: The combination off-road UTV/LSV is a recent trend, and as the story notes, provides a more versatile alternative to golf cars in these communities.  These combination vehicles will likely start taking increasing market share from golf cars within the master planned community market segment.  While golf cars have traditionally had a cost advantage, as more municipalities open up public roads to LSVs, versatility will start trumping price differences.  Learn more:  PRLog.org

Cruise Car Launches All American Line

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This week Cruise Car of Sarasota, FL introduced their new All American line of 15 solar electric LSVs.  The vehicles are produced in the US and feature up to 50% recycled or certified re-manufactured parts and materials.  The All American Line is GSA Schedule approved and Cruise Car recently shipped 30 All American LSV’s to the U.S. Navy base in San Diego, CA.  The LSVs, built on an aluminum chassis, can be purchased with or without solar and can accommodate from 2 to 14 passengers. The vehicles are also eligible for solar tax credits.  Learn more:  PRweb.com

Company News Briefs

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Carrus BV buys golf cars and parts – Carrus BV of the Netherlands signed an agreement with a European supplier to purchase 3,300 used golf cars as well as thousands of parts and accessories.  Carrus is a brand-independent supplier of top brand cars, parts and accessories, and serves various European markets, including the leisure sector, golf courses and industry.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

ZAP truck & van qualify for tax credit – ZAP recently announced that their electric truck and van have qualified for a ten percent federal tax credit, up to a maximum of $2,500, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Vehicles purchased through 2011 will be eligible for the tax credit.  Learn more:  Autorevolution.com

Kawasaki announces new consumer credit program – This month, Kawasaki, in partnership with GE Money, is rolling out a new consumer credit program for purchasing Kawasaki’s motorcycles, ATVs, utility vehicles and watercrafts.  Learn more:  Marketwatch.com

RMD Technologies selects seat supplier for electric vehicles – RMD Technologies of San Marcos, CA has chosen PRP Seats of Murrieta, CA to provide seats for their small electric vehicles.  RMDT’s core business is providing electronics recycling services to businesses, state and federal agencies.  However in 2007 they decided to branch out into developing an  alternative energy vehicle using a large percentage of materials recycled from electronic waste.  Their electric utility vehicle is expected to hit the market at the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011. Learn more:  Cleanenergynews.blogspot.com

LSV Shuttle/Taxi Services Sprouting Up

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A number of shuttle and taxi services using LSVs have been appearing in various parts of the US over the past two years and it looks like this usage is developing into a niche market for LSVs.  The latest service is in Tuscaloosa, AL where Sylvester Morgan, owner of Druid City Shuttle, has purchased four LSVs to shuttle people to and from Alabama football games.  Morgan expects the Tomberlin e-Merge LSVs will be easier to maneuver in and around gameday crowds.  The vehicles can take up to five people and Morgan plans to charge between five and ten dollars a person.  Learn more:  Tuscaloosanews.com

In Woodland near Houston, TX Go Green Taxi, operated by Sara and Jimmy Bissig use a five passenger and a ten passenger Sky Car NEV for their shuttle service.  Passengers are charged three dollars for the service.  Learn more:  Green.autoblog.com

Green Tech Automotive To Offer MyCar NEVs At A Discount

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GreenTech Automotive (GTA), announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) that the company will be offering the first 100,000 MyCar NEVs to consumers at a discounted price of $10,000.  Production of the MyCar is expected to begin in the US in mid-2011, and eventually plans on employing up to 5,000 workers and produce five different models.  The discounted price is aimed at overcoming the affordability hurdle for electric vehicles.  Learn more:  Finance.yahoo.com

UK’s ePower Trucks Launches New Vehicle

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ePower Truck XT320E

ePower Truck XT320E

ePower Trucks based in the UK recently launched the ePower Truck XT320E, a battery powered vehicle with a 1,000 kg payload.  The vehicle features a 13kw battery pack and an estimated range of 60 miles.  Battery packs can be swapped out using a forklift and an additional battery pack can be added to extend the vehicle’s range. The vehicle costs an estimated $47,000 US.

The company expects to expand the product line in the future with three more electric trucks.  ePower Trucks is a division of LiftSafe, the lifting and handling equipment supplier and specialises in the supply of golf buggies, electric trucks, electric vehicles, electric tugs and a wide range of utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Logisticsmanager.com

New Polaris Offerings For 2011

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Between family vacation and the launch of our latest STOV study It’s been a few weeks since my last post so there have been some developments in the market to catch up on.  I’ll start with the introduction by Polaris of their 2011 product line.  Despite a down economy they have been able take market share and be aggressive in the product development with new vehicles targeting specific market segments and improvements to existing models.  New vehicles include the RANGER 500 EFI, RANGER CREW 500 and RANGER Diesel. The latter targets the agriculture segment where diesel is the preferred fuel.

Enhancements to current product offerings include increased power to RANGER XP 800 and RANGER XP 800 EPS, and power steering on the Polaris Pursuit Camo RANGER CREW 800. All 2011 RANGER products, with the exception of RANGER EV, will be outfitted with easy-buckle driver and passenger safety nets.

The RANGER RZR line will have even more razor sharp performance with a new look that increases cooling airflow by 29 percent, provides a 30 percent improvement in range and delivers increased performance as a result. The RANGER RZR 800 will receive six percent more power with the addition of the 800 H.O. engine and be more trail-friendly with new rear rack extenders.  RANGER RZR S 800 will feature new big bore shocks, be the first stock vehicle to feature ITP 900 XCT tires and will be available in two premium painted editions along with a standard edition, which will receive a new lower price. For razor sharp performance for four, Polaris will offer the RANGER RZR 4 800in two Robby Gordon packages, a painted black and red limited edition and a power steering version that includes Robby Gordon-inspired graphics.

The company also launched the civilian version of their EV LSV which originally targeted the government market and added new parts and accessories for vehicles across the product line.  Learn more:  Motorsportsnewswire.wordpress.com

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The Peapod Demise Explained

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A recent story explains what happened to the Peapod LSV.  The vehicle, originally slated for a late 2010 launch, never made it to the launchpad,  apparently the victim of Chrysler’s bankruptcy filing and subsequent reorganization.  The old GEM business unit was dissolved and a new one created but without the Peapod.  The impetus behind the vehicle was Peter Arnell and he was closely tied with the former CEO Robert Nardelli, so when he went out the door the Peapod followed.

What is unfortunate is that the timing of the consumer targeted vehicle would have been perfect.  The vehicle would have been eligible for significant tax credits in 2010 and the consumer market for LSVs is primed for growth for a variety of reasons notwithstanding a somewhat slow economic recovery.  Learn more:  Green Car Advisor

E-Z-Go Launches Their 2Five LSV

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E-Z-Go 2Five LSV

E-Z-Go enters the LSV market with the 2Five

Yesterday E-Z-go announced the launch of the company’s first LSV, the 2Five.  The 2Five features a 48-volt AC electric powertrain, hydraulic disc brakes and an on-board charger.  Targeting the neighborhood travel segment, the 2Five meets NHTSA’s LSV standard but can also be set for golf course use.

The 2Five includes four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes for superior braking and vehicle control. The windshield is automotive safety glass. Rearview mirrors provide the 2Five’s operator with clear sightlines to see nearby vehicles. A complete automotive lighting package, including headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals, provides for visibility and safety on public streets. Three-point seat belts are designed to protect front and rear passengers. Radial tires offer superior wear and stopping performance. Vehicle maintenance and performance warnings are displayed electronically on the dash to alert the driver on the operation of key vehicle systems. In addition, a “rabbit/turtle” switch on the dash conveniently limits the 2Five’s speed to 14 mph when conditions require lower speeds, or to prevent turf damage in instances when the 2Five is being used as a golf vehicle.

Eco-friendly features include a 48-volt, zero-emissions electric powertrain that uses AC current. The electric drivetrain lowers vehicle noise and eliminates use of hazardous fuel and oil, and the 2Five’s AC Drive system requires less energy to operate than traditional DC-powered electric vehicles. Regenerative braking puts energy back into the vehicle’s batteries whenever brakes are applied to maintain a quality driving experience between battery charges. An on-board solid-state battery charger is energy efficient and makes charging simple. The 2Five’s foam seating is made of 100 percent recycled material.

In addition, the 2Five offers a number of convenience features, including a state-of-charge meter that indicates the amount of power left in the batteries, a 12-volt accessory outlet to provide electrical charge for mobile phones, mp3 players and other devices while on the go, and ample vehicle storage, including four large cup holders, locking glove boxes, and a storage area under the rear seat of 4-passenger models (with an optional trunk accessory for 2-passenger models.)

Learn more:  Businesswire.com

Garia Launches LSV

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Luxury golf car manufacturer Garia has launched an LSV version of their Garia Golf Car.

The Garia features a Formula 1 inspired front suspension, a drive train built by an Italian company that also produces Ducati gearboxes, and aluminum profiles made by the same company that supplies aluminum profiles to Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo. Available in August 2010, The Garia LSV is fitted with street legal safety equipment such as seatbelts and side mirrors, and it also has a hydraulic brake system.

Learn more:  Garia.com