Arctic Cat News

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Marc Cesare

At Arctic Cat Tracy Crocker has been named??vice president/general manager of the ATV division where he will be responsible for the ATV/ROV business. ??He will be in charge of product development, global strategy and business development. ??Previously he was??senior vice president of Ecolab???s Hospitality, Healthcare, and Commercial Markets. ??He also has??experience??at well known consumer branding companies such as Nabisco, Pepsi Cola and Proctor & Gamble. ??Learn more: ??Powersportsbusiness.com

Tech News

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Rappa's ATV fencing machine adapted for UTVs

In the UK fencing manufacturer Rappa has adapted their ATV fencing machine for UTVs. ??The setup is good for about 2 km of stakes and fencing wire. ??A steel frame is attached to the tailgate and the fencing machine is attached to the frame. ??According to the manufacturer taking the machine on and off can be accomplished quite quickly and easily. ??The product is another indication of how UTVs are supplanting ATVs in the farm segment. ??Learn more: ??Farmers Weekly

UTV Sales Up In The UK Farming Segment

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Marc Cesare

The Agricultural Engineers Association recently reported that ATV sales in the ??UK totaled more than 10,500 units in 2011, an increase of 4% from 2010. ??Under ATVs they include both traditional ATVs and UTVs and theses figures appear to cover the farming segment.

A closer look at the data shows a similar trend as the US market, notably a decrease in the ATV market and an increase in the UTV market. ??UTVs grew 24% from 2010 to reach nearly 3,800 vehicles. ??Meanwhile ATVs decreased by nearly 5% but still accounted for a larger share of the market. ??However, at these growth rates UTV sales should surpass as ATVs in a few years as they offer “greater carrying capacity and comfort”. ??Learn more: ??FarmersWeekly

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

Club Car European News

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Club Car has launched www.clubcar.tv to showcase the company’s electric golf cars and utility vehicles. ??The microsite provides information about the Club Car’s latest technologies as well as news and case studies from vehicle operators at various European and Middle Eastern golf facilities. ??Learn more: ??Worldgolf.com

Also in the European market, the PGA announced the purchase of an eleven vehicle fleet of Club Car vehicles for use at PGA events. ??The vehicles will be distributed to various regions in Great Britain and Ireland and the PGA headquarters. A number of the vehicles feature Club Car’s Delta Q on-board charging system. ??Learn more: ??Worldgolf.com

Pro Armor Recalls UTV Door Latches

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Pro Armor, in cooperation with the CPSC, is voluntarily recalling latches used on utility vehicle doors. ??“The latch pin can disengage from the latch allowing the door to open while the vehicle is moving. This can pose a risk of ejection of an unrestrained rider and impact or laceration hazards.” ??To date no injuries have been associated with any of the latch failures reported. ??Approximately 5,200 of the latches were sold between January and November of 2011 for??use in Polaris RZR, Can-Am Commander and Kawasaki Teryx utility vehicles. ??Consumers should stop using vehicles equipped with the latches and contact Pro Armor for a free repair kit. ??Learn more: ??CPSC.gov

VP Racing Fuels Announces New Powersports Fuel

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Marc Cesare

VP Racing fuels recently launched their new T4 fuel for powersports. ??The fuel is only for use in competition vehicles such as UTVs, ATVs and motorcycles. ??T4 was developed in response to complaints about ethanol in pump gas causing problems with fuel injectors and??carburetors. ??Learn more: ??Powersportsbusiness.com

Mini-truck Market In Bangladesh

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Reports from Bangladesh indicate a small but fast growing mini-truck market. In 2011 the market was estimated to be 8,500 vehicles and the Tata Ace mini-truck, manufactured in neighboring India,??accounts for over ninety percent of the market. ??Tata started selling their mini-trucks in Bangladesh in 2009, selling 3,500 vehicles that first year.

The local distributor??Nitol Motors attributes their sales success to growing demand across many industries and a reduced down payment for purchasers. ??Instead of requiring a 50% initial payment, they only require 30% and sometimes as low as 20%. ??This has enabled local entrepreneurs to start their own goods shipping businesses. ??According to Nitrol Motors half the market is for this type of business and the other half for general business use. ??Buyers are most concerned with the initial payment costs instead of total vehicle costs. ?? The success of the Tata Ace has also taken a large chunk of the used and reconditioned mini-truck market. ??Learn more: ??Thedailystar.net

STOV Market Trender: Replacing Pickup Trucks

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Marc Cesare

This is an update to an earlier Market Trender post about a county replacing pickups with UTVs for beach patrol. ??The initial impetus for the new vehicles was a string of accidents where sunbathers were??accidentally??run over by life guards driving pickup trucks. ??An issue in the incidents was the height of the trucks and the limited visibility they provided in the context of beachgoers laying down on the sand. ??The county has purchased two vehicles and will add eight more vehicles by March. ??Besides offering increased visibility, the UTVs??operate better in soft sand and the open sides make it more inviting for beachgoers to approach lifeguards. ??The UTVs carry a surfboard, backboard and other safety equipment. ??Learn more: ??Orlandosentinel.com

What???s Cooking On The STOV

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Marc Cesare

Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Lewis County's New UTV: A Search & Rescue command center for backwoods operations

??Search and Rescue Command Center Vehicle – In Lewis County in upstate New York a Polaris Ranger UTV was recently purchased to serve as a command center for search and rescue operations. ??The vehicle cost $19,000 and was funded with a grant from the Federal Department of Homeland Security. ??Other funding covered the $4,000 for a track kit that expands the vehicle capabilities in snowy conditions. ??The vehicle also includes a heated cab, 100 watt radio system,??emergency floodlights, a winch and a small emergency generator. ??Any agency in the county will be able to use the vehicle in addition to it’s use as a search and??rescue??vehicle. ??Learn more: ??Watertowndailytimes.com

Small Vehicle Resource Blog

Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market

Category Archives: utility vehicles