Category Archives: Sales figures

NEVs A Small Part of California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program

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Statistics from California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program show that rebates for nearly 16,000 vehicles have been provided from March 2010 to December 2012.  Just over half of the rebates have been for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), not including NEVs.  NEVs account for only a small slice of the rebate pie with a total of 86 rebates over the time period.  The slice is even smaller in dollar terms as ZEVs are eligible for rebates of up to $2,500 and NEVs only $900.  In total approximately $24 million went to ZEV rebates and $100,000 for NEV rebates.  Other eligible vehicle categories include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), which account for the bulk of the remaining rebates, commercial ZEVs and zero emission motorcycles (ZEM).  In comparison, ZEMs were slightly more popular than NEVs with rebates provided for 120 vehicles.  Learn more:  Torquenews.com

Transport Canada UTV Recalls

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In December 2012 Transport Canada announced a number of recalls related to UTVs. Here is a quick summary:

  1. John Deere  2012 RSX850I – The fuel line connectors in the engine compartment may not have been properly connected. The connectors could separate and create a fire hazard. 466 vehicles are affected.  Learn more:  Transport Canada
  2. Can Cam Commander models:  Limited 1000, 1000R, 800R, DPS 1000, DPS 800R, X 1000, XT 1000R, XT 800R for model years 2011, 2012 and 2013. If some are operated in deep water (over 30 cm) with floating debris like leaves or grass, accumulation near the exhaust system can create a fire hazard.   10,800 vehicles are affected.  Learn more:  Transport Canada
  3. Can Cam Commander models:  1000R, 800R, X 1000, XT 1000R, XT 800R for model years 2011 and 2012 and model year 2012 for the Limited 1000. The lower splines at the steering column to rack and pinion joint may not be sufficiently engaged. The splines could fail causing a loss of steering and a crashing hazard. 1,250 vehicles are affected. Learn more:  Transport Canada 

 

Dealer Survey Lowers Analyst Sales Expectations For Arctic Cat

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A recent survey of dealers by analysts at BMO Capital Markets indicates that Arctic Cat may be experiencing lower than expected sales growth.  They have lowered their annual sales growth targets from 15% to 10% for the next two years based on information from dealers around the country.  While the estimates refer to total sales across all segments, the side-by-side segment is commented about specifically.  Strong sales in the high end Wildcat recreational side-by-side have slowed and not driven sales of lower end utility vehicles as much as expected.  Arctic Cat is in tough competition with Can Am for the second spot in the recreational segment behind Polaris but should benefit from their four-seat Wildcat hitting the market next month.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Yamaha Golf Car Sales Increase in the US

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Financial reports for the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 indicate an increase in golf car sales in the US market. While Yamaha overall reported decreases in revenue and income the US market represented an area of strength across a number of their segments including motorcycles, marine and power products.  In the latter, stronger golf car sales offset a decrease in ATV sales.  Learn more: Powersportsbusiness.com

Virginia Rejected Factory Incentives for MyCar LSV Manufacturer

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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.

Polaris Adds To PG&A With KLIM Acquisition

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Polaris Industries announced that they have acquired Teton Outfitters, LLC, a privately owned, Rigby, Idaho-based company which designs, develops and distributes KLIM Technical Riding Gear.  The company’s 2012 sales are expected to reach 30 million, primarily in North America and from the snowmobile market.  KLIM has a presence in the snowmobile, off-road and adventure touring motorcycle markets and a network of 850 dealers.  Polaris management expects to leverage KLIM’s design capabilities and strong brand with the global resources, infrastructure and dealer networks of the various Polaris Industries brands to further boost their growing and highly profitable PG&A business.  The KLIM CEO will remain with the company which will operate as a stand alone business. Learn more:  Seekingalpha.com

Registration Data Shows Continued Polaris UTV Growth

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Comments from BMO Capital Markets analyst Gerrick Johnson and Polk registration data for UTVs indicate a strong September for the UTV market and Polaris outperforming the market.  The data shows UTV registrations increased 19.1% for the industry and 21.6% for Polaris.  (The story does not specify but it is assumed that comparisons are for the same time periods from the prior year.) Dealer interviews point to a strong showing for Polaris’s Ranger XP 900 and the Ranger 800 mid-size UTVs.  The analyst predicts 18% growth for the company’s ATV and UTV sales in the 4Q, which translates into growth of over 20% for the UTV segment based on recent sales patterns.  Growth is being driven by replacement demand, new riders and share starting to being taken from Jeeps, pick-ups and SUVs.  It is unclear from the article if the latter is specifically referring to the recreational end of the UTV market or from  the market in general.  If it is the general market, this is not a new trend, as municipalities, universities and the like have been replacing pickups with UTVs and other STOVs for a number of years.  We believe this is one of the reasons why UTVs continued to have strong growth despite the recession.  For both fiscal reasons and to meet ‘green’ or sustainability goals institutions have been replacing pick-ups with gas or electric powered UTVs and other STOVs.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

Kawasaki Motors Recalls Fuel Filters for Lawn Mower and UTV Engines: Impacts Some John Deere UTVs

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Kawasaki Motors, today announced a voluntary recall fuel filters and tune-up kits with fuel filters.  The recalled fuel filters are white translucent plastic and attach to the fuel tubes on Kawasaki lawn mower and utility vehicle engines.  The fuel filter can leak, posing a fire hazard.  To date all the reported leaks caused by the fuel filter have been on lawn mowers.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Kawasaki engine fuel filter

Kawasaki engine fuel filter being recalled

Related to this recall John Deere announced a recall of approximately 4,340 utility vehicles using this type of fuel filter.  This recall involves John Deere TH, TS and TX-model Gator™ utility vehicles that have Kawasaki FE, FH and FJ series engines. The serial numbers of the UTVs included in the recall are:

1M04X2SJ++M070915 to 1M04X2SJ++M072247
1M04X2XC++M070040 to 1M04X2XC++M070213
1M04X2XD++M070314 to 1M04X2XD++M072731
1M06X4HD++M070049 to 1M06X4HD++M070372

They were sold nationwide from November 2011 to August 2012.  Owners should stop using utility vehicles with the recalled engines and contact a John Deere dealer to have the fuel filter replaced. John Deere is contacting all registered owners of the recalled utility vehicles directly.  John Deere can be contacted at (800) 537-8233. Learn more:  CPSC.gov

DOD Plug-in Purchases May Hurt LSV Market

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The Department of Defense has announced plans to purchase approximately 1,500 plug-in vehicles, mostly Chevy Volts over the next few years.  This could potentially hurt the LSV market.  The DOD has made it a priority to reduce petroleum consumption and one approach is to replace passenger vehicles used on bases and in other areas with alternative fuel vehicles.  Starting in 2007 and 2008, primarily with the US Army, LSVs were tested and then purchased in large quantities.  At the time, all the military branches were drawing up plans to purchase LSVs.  In total, these purchases would number several thousand per year.

However, government data on Federal fleets indicates that these large volume purchases did not materialize as expected.  While a number of factors could have impacted LSV sales including budgetary and performance issues, the advent of other electric vehicle alternatives such as the Volt may have played a role as well and might do so in the future.  Although considerably more expensive than LSVs, the Volt does offer highway capability, more versatility and overall greater vehicle performance.  Until the comparative cost versus performance trade-offs can be evaluated over the next few years the long-term impact on the LSV market won’t be known but in the short-term there will likely be fewer LSV sales in this market sub-segment.  Learn more:  Insideevs.com

Polaris Posts Record 3Q Results

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Polaris Industries continues to charge ahead with another quarter of record results.  For the 3Q 2012 the company reported net income increased 39% to $94.3 million and sales grew 21% to $879.9 million.  North American retail unit sales climbed more than 10% on strong contributions from side-by-sides and motorcycles.  Management reports market share gains in their Ranger and RZR side-by-sides as their Off-road division grew sales 18% in the quarter and 22% for the first 9 months of the year compared to 2011.  Full year sales are expected to be up 19% to 20% from 2011.  Learn more:  Dailyfinance.com