Gator Review

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Marc Cesare

John Deere Gator 825i 4x4 at play

Earlier this year John Deere launched their crossover utility vehicle the XUV 825i.?? The vehicle was developed to capture the part of the UTV market that is using vehicles for both work and recreation.?? One of the fastest growing segments in the UTV market, in recent years John Deere has lost some market share in this area to the powersports manufacturers.?? Side by Side News put the 825i to the test in a recreational setting and came away impressed with the vehicle’s performance.?? Learn more:?? sxsnews.com

Gators spotted on UK beach – On another Gator related note, I came across a story about the town of North East Lincolnshire in the UK using TH 6×4 Gators to patrol their local beaches.?? The diesel powered vehicles are “…equipped with a cab for winter protection, plus a PA system, internal two-way radio, siren, warning beacons, a detachable winch and a land anchor.”?? Besides general patrol duties, the vehicles are used to warn and help visitors stranded by changing tides and clearing paths and leveling sandbanks.?? Learn more:?? Pitchcare.com

Prototype Hydrogen Powered Utility Vehicles Developed

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Marc Cesare

A development team led by the Atlanta-based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has developed two hydrogen powered utility vehicles for the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.?? Other members of the team include the Center for Electromechanics (CEM) at The University of Texas at Austin, vehicle manufacturer Columbia ParCar, the Gas Technology Institute, and fuel cell producer Hydrogenics.?? The electric utility vehicle uses a hybrid configuration with a 8.5kw fuel cell, ultracapacitors and a hydrogen supply.?? The vehicle performance will be evaluated for one year at a military facility.?? Initial testing of the vehicles indicates a range of 300 miles, far exceeding the typical 30-50 mile range of electric utility vehicles currently on the market.?? Learn more:?? Utexas.edu

Club Car Recall

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Club Car is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,000 Model 2010 DS golf cars and hospitality, utility and transport vehicles because the brake pedal can crack and separate, resulting in a loss of braking ability.?? Two incidents have been reported but no injuries.?? The vehicles were sold between April and July 2010.?? Club Car is contacting customers directly and will inspect and replace brake pedals for free.?? For more information, contact Club Car at (800) 227-0739, ext. 3580 between 8 a.m and 5 p.m. ET or go to the firm’s website at www.clubcar.com (pdf).?? Learn more:?? CPSC.gov

Company News Briefs

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Cub Cadet Sponsors Design Contest – Outdoor Power equipment maker Cub Cadet is sponsoring the Cub Cadet Future Vision Design Contest.?? The contest is open to anyone with a vision for futuristic lawn mowers, tractors or utility vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Designcrave.com

Yamaha’s Kevin Norcross Gets Expanded Duties – Yamaha Golf-Car Company has put Kevin Norcross in charge of their National Direct Sales team.?? The new duties will be in addition to his current work as Marketing Department Manager.?? Learn more:?? Worldgolf.com

Ladybug Resource Acquires Mag International – Ladybug Resource, a company that acquires and licenses technologies, patents, patents-pending and trade secrets in the energy, health and intellectual property sectors, has acquired controlling interest in Mag International, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of gasoline and electric mini-utility vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Tradingmarkets.com

ZAP and Remy Electric Motors Partner – Remy Electric Motors will be the new electric motor suppler for ZAP.?? The companies will also work together on developing a drivetrain for other ZAP automotive platforms and for vehicles related to ZAP’s joint venture in China.?? Learn more:?? Indianapressreeleases.com

Cub Cadet Unveils Crossover UTV

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Cub Cadet Volunteer VTX Crossover UTV

Cub Cadet is using the upcoming SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufactuers Association) show to unveil their crossover concept vehicle the Volunteer VTX.?? The VTX is designed to appeal to those using UTVs for both work and recreation.?? Management is touting the vehicle’s ability to transform into different configurations as a defining feature of the vehicle.?? Transformable features include:

Foldable jump seats that provide the flexibility to carry up to five riders or create more space behind the front seats for cargo or as a work area.
Bed sides that fold down to transform the VTX into a mobile work station complete with tool hookups.
Speed keys to set separate top speeds

Other features include:

850cc Weber engine that can power the vehicle to 45+mph
12-volt power outlets, hook-ups for air-powered tools and multi-functional high-intensity lighting
Digital display
In-dash monitor with GPS and rear-facing camera view

Learn more:?? PRNewswire.com

Arctic Cat Announces Earnings & New CEO

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Arctic Cat CEO Christopher Twomey announced he will step down at the end of the year and will be succeeded by Claude Jordan who currently overseas the ATV business segment.?? Arctic Cat also announced better than expected earnings for their second quarter that ended September 30.?? The ATV business, which includes UTVs grew by 9%, from $51.7 million to $56.6 million compared to the same quarter last year.?? In their earnings conference call management stated that the growth was driven by sales of their Prowler HDX and growth in international markets.?? The HDX targets the work rather recreation portion of the UTV market.???? Management also reported maintaining market share in the segment.?? In comparing half year totals, the ATV business grew from $83.9 to $84.5 million or 1%, indicating that majority of the sales and growth occurred in the second quarter.?? Combined with the recent earnings news from Polaris, indications are that the UTV market is gaining some momentum.?? Learn more:?? StarTribune.com

Toro Partners To Demonstrate Fuel Cell Powered UTV

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Toro was recently selected by ATK, an aerospace and defense company, to help them build two fuel cell powered utility vehicles that feature advanced hydrogen storage.?? The vehicles are part of an effort?? by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to coordinate hydrogen storage development for the U.S. Department of Energy.?? Previously Toro participated in a three-year demonstration project with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that used three prototype hydrogen-powered Workman utility vehicles at parks and a government center for work and haulage duties and personnel transport.?? The vehicles will be delivered later this fall and operational and performance data will be collected for one year.?? Learn more:?? Marketwatch.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

Arboretum Mini-truck – The Secrest Arboretum at Ohio State University now uses a Mag International Electric MAG XC mini-truck instead of a full-sized pickup for general work and maintenance.?? While helping to meet the university’s sustainability goals, the vehicles can also access areas a pick-up cannot and produces much less noise, which is a plus for the facilities nature walks, gardening classes and other events.?? The only downsides are a less than roomy cab and increased battery drain when used on hilly terrain.?? Learn more:?? Media-newswire.com

Solar Electric Shuttle – Pelican Bay Foundation recently unveiled their solar electric tram system using vehicles from Eco Trans Alliance and Cruise Cars.?? The system uses 40 vehicles to shuttle visitors around the 43 acres of park.?? Learn more: PRWeb.com

Polaris Wins National Guard UTV Contract

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Last week the National Guard Bureau awarded Polaris a contract to supply Ultra-Light Utility Vehicles to the Army National Guard.?? The five-year contract is topped at $67 million and includes vehicles as well as accessories and training.?? The Ranger Crew 800 and Polaris Ranger 6×6 800 produced in their Spirit Lake, Iowa facility will be the vehicles of choice.

I contacted the National Guard Bureau to find out some more contract specifics.?? They do not have an estimate on the number of vehicles that will be purchased but noted that it would depend on government funding and mission requirements.?? They added that the contract includes pricing for different configurations of the vehicles such as the inclusion of a hard or soft top, track kits, plows, and other components.?? Long-term servicing is not part of the agreement.?? The contract demonstrates continued success by Polaris as they target the military market as a key growth opportunity for the company. Learn more:?? Financialpost.com

Ev Manufacturer Barefoot Motors To Close Doors

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Barefoot Motors a manufacturer of electric utility vehicles based in Ashland, OR announced that they will be closing their doors by the end of the year.?? According to a statement from CEO Mary Gresens,

Due to a critical interruption in our supply chain which has resulted in a review of our business model, Barefoot Motors LLC will no longer produce and offer the present products. The facility in Ashland is being ramped down and will be closed by the end of the year.

Learn more:?? Barefootmotors.com

This is the second company this year in the STOV market that has closed their doors.?? Earlier in the summer BG Automotive Group which had plans to build an LSV and then full-size electric vehicles also closed.?? Learn more:?? Green.autoblog.com

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Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market

Category Archives: utility vehicles