Category Archives: utility vehicles

Cushman Hauler UTV Line Launched in UK

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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

Electric Vehicles International Expands Facilities

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Electric truck manufacturer Electric Vehicles International (EVI) has expanded their manufacturing capacity by adding 30,000 square feet and new equipment to their Stockton, CA headquarters. ??The company also opened a sales office in Michigan. ??EVI produces larger electric trucks than what we see in the STOV market such as medium duty delivery trucks and walk-in vans. ??For the STOV market they offer their E-Mega, a light duty, 72 volt truck with a top speed of 35 mph that is powered by a lithium battery pack.??Learn more: ??CVBizjornal.com

Artic Cat Reports Strong Quarterly Results

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Last week Arctic Cat reported the results for their third quarter which ended December 31, 2011. ??Management reported net sales of??$207.0 million ??compared to $152.0 million for the the prior-year third quarter. ??Net earnings for the same time periods was $17.0 million and $9.3 million respectively. ??The sales increase was driven by??increased snowmobile sales and international all-terrain vehicle (ATV) sales, as well as the first shipments of their??new Wildcat sport side-by-side vehicle. ??Arctic Cat’s ATV sales include ATVs and side-by-side vehicles.?? “ATV sales increased 12 percent to??$54.4 million??in the fiscal 2012 third quarter versus??$48.6 million in the same period last year, with strong contributions from Arctic Cat???s Prowler line of side-by-sides.” ??The company expects to increase production of the Wildcat in the fourth quarter. ??Learn more: ??Arcticcat.com

Earnings Call Highlights:

  • ATV sales increased 14% to $151.1 million from $133 million for the first three quarters of the fiscal year
  • Management reports a decline of 7% in the quarter for industry ATV sales in North America. ??Side-by-side sales continue to grow however and Prowler sales were up for the quarter and first three quarters.
  • Management expects ATV division sales to increase 19% to 22% for the full year, driven by Q4 shipments of the new Wildcat sport side-by-side
  • Arctic Cat has shipped 200 Wildcat side-by-sides to date and estimates based on Q&A comments indicate orders in the range of 6,000 to 10,000 vehicles. Sales are meeting expectations according to management.
  • Arctic Cat has switched to a monthly ordering system for dealers compared to what was more of a quarterly program. ??Comment: This will likely be a continuing trend??with manufacturers in the industry??as Polaris has also already made this transition to shorter ordering time frames. ??The shorter time frame has reportedly allowed for lower inventories and costs, better matching of vehicles to customer needs and faster response to changing market conditions.

E-Z-GO Developments

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Towards the end of last year E-Z-GO initiated a rebranding of some of their product lines. ??They introduced their Terrain line of vehicles for what??management??describes as “trail-utility” applications and their Express line of vehicles for “trail-leisure” applications. ??The Terrain line consists of the Terrain 250 and 1000 in gas and electric configurations and the Terrain 500 and 1500 in gas only configurations. ??The Express line consists of the L4, S4, L6 and S6 models which all come in gas or electric versions. ??One dealer’s website describes the Terrain line being for cargo and the Express line being for people.

From my understanding??the old E-Z-GO ST product line has??been rebranded as E-Z-GO Terrain & Express models, and as the Cushman Hauler models, and some as Bad Boy Buggies. ??While the guts of the vehicles have not been changed substantially, the??front body panel, the cowl, headlights and canopy top have been changed and the top supports are beefier as well.

E-Z-GO Exceed Hybrid Technology

E-Z-GO's Exceed Hybrid Technology Range Extender

E-Z-Go has also introduced a range extender technology for their Freedom RXV golf car and 2Five LSV. ??The??Exceed Hybrid Technology??? is a fully integrated supplemental power source which can extend the range of these vehicles up to 150 miles based on E-Z-Go’s test results. ??The Exceed features a 6 hp, 205 cc gas generator which can recharge the batteries on the fly and provides a 400-watt power source for charging electronic devices. ??System controls and the power source outlet are located on the dashboard. ??The generator fits into the vehicle’s bagwell with a custom cover. Learn more: ??Ezgo.com

 

Columbia ParCar Recalls Vehicles For Steering Issue

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Columbia ParCar, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling nearly 1,400 golf, service and utility vehicles produced between July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011, which includes 2009, 2010 and 2011 models. ??The vehicles are being recalled because “…the lower steering yoke can loosen where it attaches to the steering rack and pinion, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.” ??No injuries have been reported related to the issue. ??Models involved in the recall include the??Eagle (P4E) Golf Vehicle, Shuttle (C6E) Personnel Carrier, Tram (C10E) Personnel Carrier, Summit (SM/SUV) Utility Vehicle, Utilitruck (EU4, EU24) Utility Vehicle and??Scout (S10E) Utility Vehicle. ??Check the following link for specific VINs involved. Columbia ParCar dealers will be conducting free inspections and repairs as required. ??Learn more: ??CPSC.gov

Polaris Reports Record Financial Results Again

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Showing strength across all product lines Polaris Industries reported record fourth quarter and full year profits on Wednesday. ??For the fourth quarter sales increased 26% from 4Q 2010 to $782.0 million and for the full year sales increased 33% from 2010 to??$2,656.9 million. Other full year highlights include:

  • Increased market share for all product lines
  • 39% increase in international sales
  • Net income of $227.6 million – 55% more than 2010.
Their Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) segment increased sales 32% over 2010 to $1.82 billion. ??The segment includes ATVs and side-by-sides. ??Management reports??ATV unit retail sales growing upper single digits percent and side-by-side vehicle unit retail sales increasing about 20 percent over the prior year. ??Polaris continues to gain market share in each segment. ??Learn more: ??Marketwatch.com
Earnings Call highlights:
  • The overall ATV market declined low double digits for 2011 while side-by-sides increased low double digits.
  • Polaris sales through their partnership with Bobcat increased 60% in 2011.
  • Polaris has discontinued their Breeze LSV in light of their GEM acquisition and production of GEMs in their Spirit Lake facility has begun.
  • Asia Pacific and Latin America are the key global markets
  • Expectations for a slower level of growth for the company and ORV sales for the coming year.
  • New products with Bobcat likely in end of 2012 or early 2013
  • Strong growth in military segment expected with sales to special forces and in unmanned technology products

 

KYMCO UTVs Recalled For Fire Hazard

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KYMCO USA, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling nearly 1,900 UTVs produced from 2009 to 2012. ??The vehicles are being recalled because “…an exposed portion of the exhaust system can allow debris such as leaves, brush or other flammable materials to enter the opening and ignite, posing a fire hazard.” ??While there have been three reports of fires, no injuries have been reported. ??Models involved in the recall include the UXV 500, 500 LE, and 500 SE and the UXVi 500, 500 LE, and 500 SE. ??Check the following link for specific VINs involved. ??KYMCO dealers will be installing repair kits for free. ??Learn more: ??CPSC.gov

New Vehicle Introductions

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ACG Cars T-Sport LSV

T-Sport LSV recently introduced by ACG Cars

ACG Cars – ACG Cars of California recently launched their T-Sport LSV, a four passenger all electric vehicle. Features include????including a 17.5 hp brushless A/C motor, Sevcon computerized controller and LCD in-dash display. ??The vehicle has a top speed of 25 mph and an estimated range of 40 miles. ??MSRP is $7950. Learn more: ??News.yahoo.com

AGT Electric Cars – AGT Electric Cars of Ontario, Canada recently introduced their Marrow Waste Management Vehicle. ??The company usually manufacturers??manufactures low-speed vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles, utility task vehicles, burden carriers and golf cars. ??The new vehicle is based upon their??Marrow Electric Industrial Vehicle but is fitted with a 1-ton capacity trash bin. ??The vehicle is powered by 12 6-volt batteries and management reports a range of 35 miles when fully loaded. ??The vehicle is currently undergoing pilot tests and will be launched in Canada this month with a price of around $25,000. ??The company is talking with potential distributors for the US market. ??Learn more: ??Wastecyclingnews.com

Cycle Country Sells ATV Accessories Line

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Earlier this month Cycle Country Accessories Corp announced the sale of it’s ATV accessories line to Kolpin Outdoors for $8 million. ??The sale did not include any manufacturing assets but did include the trade name. Subsequently, Cycle Country Accessories changed it’s parent name to ATC Venture Group and subsidiary name to Simonsen Iron Works. ??Learn more: ??Menafn.com

Mitsubishi Planning Small Electric Truck

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According to reports, Mitsubishi Motors is currently developing a small electric truck for the farm and contractor market. ??Technical specifications on the vehicle are limited, but it is expected to be a light weight, rear drive truck. ??It is not known if it will operate at LSV speeds or higher. ??The truck will be the third electric vehicle model produced by Mitsubishi. Learn more: ??Rushlane.com