On Monday Kawasaki Motors announced more layoffs as their consumer products division is reorganized. According to management the layoffs affect approximately 25% of the division’s office and support staff. the division produces all terrain vehicles, utility vehicles and personal watercraft and recently laid off about 300 employees. Learn more: Kolnkgin.com
First Test Vehicle Revealed: Smith Electric Vehicle US and Altec Industries Utility Truck
Smith Electric Vehicles US (SEVUSA) and Altec Industries will work together on the development of an all electric utility truck with an aerial bucket. SEVUSA will use their Newton truck produced in Kansas City as the basic vehicle and Altec will integrate their aerial product. The utility truck is targeted for utility companies and Pacific Gas and Electric will be involved in the development of the vehicle as well. The utility company will take delivery of the first test unit and provide feedback and test data. Learn more: utilityproducts.com
I came across an interesting story that exemplifies the versatility and efficiency of utility vehicles that makes them so popular.?? Railway services companies in the UK are purchasing Kubota RTV900’s that are modified to travel on rails. They can carry up to six workers or as few as two and a 500 kg payload.?? They are also used to haul additional maintenance trailers to work sites along the railway. An initial ten such vehicles have been sold but one of the companies has already ordered an additional 22 of the modified vehicles. Learn more?? pressreleasepoint.com
ZAPTruck XL Ready For Shipment
ZAP has begun shipping their ZAPTruck XL, an electric LSV, to the US military for use at military bases around the world.?? The purchase continues the trend by the US military of moving to more fuel efficient and often smaller vehicles for specific on base applications.?? The company did not provide any specific sales figures for the contract.?? Learn more:?? Zapworld.com
Tiger Truck Vehicle line
Tiger Truck of Oklahoma recently won an $11 million GSA contract to supply the US Air Force with 863 mini-trucks.?? The purchase is funded by the recent federal stimulus package since the mini-trucks will be replacing less fuel-efficient vehicles.?? All the vehicles will be fueled by either gas or a gas/ethanol mix and are slated for delivery in about four months.?? The recently opened Tiger Truck assembly plant employs 90 people and can produce approximately 35 vehicles per shift per day.?? The company assembles the vehicles from a mix of US and foreign sourced parts.?? Learn more:?? www.newsok.com
Kawasaki Teryx Joins US Special Ops
After extensive research and evaluation the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has ordered 1,625 Kawasaki Teryx recreation utility vehicles to serve as tactical vehicles.?? The $28.4 million order was won through a bidding process by Houston based UV Country.?? The order will be filled over five years and works out to be about $17,500 per vehicle.
The specific model in the contract is the 2009 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 RUV which features side-by-side seating for two adults, a roll over protective structure (ROPS), front discs and a special sealed rear brake, four wheel independent suspension, a tilting cargo bed with 500 pounds of carrying capacity and the ability to tow up to 1,300 pounds. Learn more:?? UTVguide.net
Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing laid off 320 employees last week following an earlier buyout offer to workers in their consumer products division, which produces their utility vehicles and other products.?? Management reported that nearly all the layoffs were the result of voluntary acceptance of the buyout.?? As a result, the consumer products workforce at the Lincoln, NE location has been reduced by 25% to approximately 900 workers.
Kawasaki’s consumer products division reported a sales decline of 22% for the fiscal year ending in March.?? This is on par with first quarter declines recently reported by Polaris Industries and Arctic Cat.?? Learn more:?? Journalstar.com
Kymco USA has signed a multi-year agreement to partner with IndyCar as the official scooter and off-road utility vehicle for the IndyCar series.?? Per the agreement IndyCar Series staff will use KYMCO Super 8 150cc scooters and UXV 500 4X4 utility vehicles at races and their headquarters.?? Learn more: scooteringusa.com
A recent article covering a trade forum involving the state of Mississippi and the city of Changzhou in China noted that a Mississippi based company was looking to import parts for use in off-road utility vehicles.?? According to the report Bob Kirkland business development officer for Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems remarked that:
… a Mississippi company, which he wouldn’t identify, is interested in assembling parts that would be sent to it from China to be used in off-road utility vehicles.
One such company could be Bad Boy Enterprises located in Natchez, Mississippi, manufacturers of the Bad Boy Buggie, an electric powered off-road utility vehicle.?? Government officials from both sides are looking at the automotive industry as a potential area for increased trade.?? Learn more:?? clarionLedger.com
Continuing a relationship that started in 1999, Club Car has extended their agreement to be the official golf car and utility vehicle and sponsor of the European tour. At least 70 Club Car golf cars are in use at each European Tour event. Learn more: sportsbizasia.com