Buying a Vehicle for Campus Use

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Marc Cesare

GEMs are popular for use on campuses for people moving and general utility work applications.

I recently interviewed Andy Kaplan of Dominion Utility Vehicles in Bedford, Virginia about buying a small, task-oriented vehicle for use on a college or university campus. Some common uses for these vehicles include people transport, campus security, general maintenance, grounds keeping and other heavier duty work. He sells the GEM, Polaris Brutus and Gravely Atlas JSV four-wheel drive utility vehicles.

In this and other commercial segments many dealers will bring vehicles to the customer to try out for several hours, a full day or even a few days if their interest is high. If you are in the market for a vehicle, it is wise to do so as it affords you the opportunity to drive and use the vehicle just as if you owned it. The best approach according to Kaplan is to use the vehicle just as you would during a typical work day. You can see how the vehicle handles the terrain, the various tasks, maneuvers in tight spaces and, if exploring electric vehicles, what type of range and charging time you will need on a daily basis.

Another consideration is what are all the tasks for which you will be using the vehicle on campus. If you are hauling material or equipment, how much cargo box and vehicle capacity do you need, how large a cargo box do you need in terms of dimensions and do you need a covered cargo area. If you are carrying tools do you need one or more toolboxes or a ladder rack. One of the advantages of these utility vehicles is that they can be customized to a great degree with many different options and accessories to perform a specific task or set of tasks. By investing the time up front thinking about how you will use the vehicle, you can purchase a vehicle that can be highly versatile, productive and cost-efficient.

Other important considerations include:

Campus terrain: Do you need 4WD for hills, off-road capabilities, turf sensitive tires and handling capabilities, LSV features for public road use, etc.
Weather protection: Do you need protection from the sun or rain, harsh winter weather, allergy issues when mowing, etc
People moving: How much seating capacity do you need? What about creature comforts? If you will be transporting clients or customers, what image and branding reinforcement do you want to convey with the vehicle?

For the complete interview visit our buying guide section.

Cub Cadet Adds Challenger 750 Crew UTV

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Cub Cadet expands their Challenger UTV line with the 750 Crew, which seats four.

Cub Cadet has introduced a crew version to their Challenger utility vehicle product line with the new Challenger 750 Crew. The model seats four and features a 735cc, 4-stroke EFI engine, on-demand 4WD, CVT transmission and power steering. Outfitted with 26″ offroad Carlisle tires with aluminum alloy wheels, the Challenger 750 Crew offers 11″ of ground clearance, a 350 lb. cargo box, 1,200 lbs of towing capacity and a front mounted 3,500 lb. winch standard. As with the rest of the Challenger series, which is targeting the value segment, the 750 Crew includes additional standard features including a roof, a quick release two-piece windshield, bumper guard, bucket seats, headrests, mirrors, turn signals and a digital dashboard. The Challenger 750 Crew is available in Red, Yellow, Blue or Camo and has an MSRP of $10,999. Learn More: Cubcadet.com

Comment: The new addition shows the ongoing commitment of Cub Cadet to their utility vehicle offerings. The utility vehicle market has become so competitive in both the work and recreation segments that it requires a continuing investment in new product development and new models. A crew version in a product line is almost a necessity in order to maintain a solid presence in the market. The amount of resources needed to maintain a sufficient level of product development and new product introductions can be substantial for smaller volume manufacturers.

NFMT Trade Show

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Last week I visited the NFMT trade show in Baltimore at the invitation of Andy Kaplan of Dominion Utility Vehicles, a Polaris commercial dealer who carries the GEM, Brutus and Gravely vehicle lines. The National Facilities Management and Technology Conference & Exposition (NFMT) brings education, networking and new products to facilities professionals nationwide. While a host of products and services from lighting, energy, air systems, roofing, HVAC, etc are on exhibit, I was there to check out the handful of utility vehicle brands on display including the GEM and Brutus from Polaris, Club Car, Taylor-Dunn and Vantage Vehicle.

The Polaris Brutus HDPTO Deluxe with an angle broom attached on display at the NFMT expo.

The Polaris display had one of the larger footprints on the NFMT expo floor and had on display the GEM eL XD, Polaris M1400 and Brutus HDPTO Deluxe. The latter probably received the most attention on the day I was visiting. (The NFMT ran for three days) The Deluxe is an impressive vehicle with a factory installed cab with heat and A/C standard, integrated front PTO, 24 hp Kohler diesel engine, hydrostatic drive, and 1,250 lb. cargo box. The model also has a treadle pedal so you don’t have to shift gears back and forth during tasks like plowing snow, and with the hydrostatic drive the hydraulic fluid absorbs the changing forces rather than gears. The display model had an angle brush attachment mounted on the front. Starting at around $24,000 with the attachments extra the vehicle may appear to be pricey, but the Brutus HDPTO Deluxe is a commercial level work utility vehicle and the versatility provided by the attachments allow the Brutus to do the work of several vehicles on all types of terrain.

An interior view of the Brutus shows the joystick for controlling attachments.

For example, with the finishing mower attachment you can mow even on steep terrain and do so in a climate controlled cab. The angle brush can sweep sidewalks of dirt and debris in the summer and snow in the winter. For other snow removal applications there is a snow blade or snow blower. The attachments can be controlled from the cab and can be moved up, down, left, right and tilted forward or backward. A cargo box spreader attachment was added last year with cab controls for adjusting the area of the spread, the volume of material, and the vibration of the auger to prevent clogging. The PTO also has a separate throttle control so the vehicle can be operated at a slower speed but the attachment can be operated at higher power. Other attachments include a landplane, grapple, pallet forks and materials bucket. According to recent Polaris earnings calls the higher end Brutus vehicles have been selling well.

The recessed bed in the new 2016 GEM eL XD.

A shot of the interior of the GEM eL XD on display at the NFMT expo.

I was also able to see the new 2016 GEM eL XD up close. As advertised the new doors feel really solid. I met another GEM dealer who expressed optimism about sales for the new line in the coming year. The recessed bed on the eL XD is one of the new features for 2016. I sat in the cab and the overall look and feel of the vehicle is solid and gives the impression of a quality build.

A Club Car Carryall with the VersAttach system installed.

At the Club Car display they had their relatively new Carryall 500 and 700 on display but were focusing more on their VersAttach Bed System, a configurable and removable track-based bed attachment system for carrying tools and equipment. The commercial focused team was representing Club Car at the event. They are focusing products and services on specific vertical market segments such as education, resorts and government.

The electric powered Vantage Vehicle is proving to be a popular alternative to pickup trucks in certain applications.

Werres Corporation, a distributor of Vantage Vehicles, had one of the vehicles on display at their booth. The electric powered vehicle features a long truck bed and an enclosed cab with a design similar to mini-trucks. The Vantage Vehicle has been a big seller for Werres, and often displaces pick-up trucks for campus applications.

The electric powered Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot has a 3,000 lb. load capacity.

Taylor-Dunn was featuring one of their relatively new vehicles, the Bigfoot. The Bigfoot features 48V AC power, hydraulic brakes, 12 mph top speed, a 44″x77″ flatbed and a 3,000 lb. load capacity. Other amenities include dual USB charging ports, LED lighting, adjustable seats, tilt steering and recessed tie-downs. The Bigfoot has a range of up to 40 miles and can be configured with a cab, stake sides or aluminum drop-down sides.

KYMCO Recalls UTVs: Throttle Problem

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Marc Cesare

The KYMCO 450i is one of the models being recalled.

KYMCO 450i Camoflauge

KYMCO 450i LE

KYMCO 450i Turf is also available in red.

KYMCO is recalling approximately 1,700 utility vehicles from model years 2015 and 2016 including the UXV 450i, UXV 450i LE and UXV 450i Turf. The throttle on the vehicles can fail to return to idle and cause the rider to lose control. The company has reported seven instances of the throttle failing, but no injuries. The related information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission follows.

Recall Details

Units: About 1,700

Description: This recall involves all model years 2015 and 2016 UXV 450i, UXV 450i LE and UXV 450i Turf models. Recalled utility vehicles come in the colors blue, camouflage, matte black, gold, green, red, blue and black. The model year 2015 recalled vehicles are those units with the last six numbers of the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) between 100101 and 190370. The model year 2016 recalled vehicles are those units with the last six numbers of the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) between 190371 and 260240. The VIN can be found on the frame behind the right front wheel. UXV is printed on each side of the rear cargo box and on the hood. KYMCO is printed on the side panels.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received seven reports of the throttle failing. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact an authorized KYMCO dealer for a free inspection and free repair. KYMCO is contacting consumers directly.

Sold at: Authorized KYMCO dealers nationwide from June 2014 through November 2015 for between $8,000 and $8,700.

Distributor(s): KYMCO USA, of Spartanburg, S.C.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Learn more: CPSC.gov

Comment: This is not a large recall but pretty significant for KYMCO which is one of the smaller manufacturers. They have been one of the more successful import companies selling vehicles at the $8,000 to $10,000 value price range.

Should Polaris Target Garia Next?

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Are the luxury golf cars and high-end utility vehicles of Garia appealing to Polaris?

With Polaris’ recent acquisition of Taylor-Dunn it made me wonder if Garia might make a good target as well. The European based luxury brand could be appealing to Polaris for a number of reasons.

Brand Value – The Garia brand has been around for ten years, not as established as the recently acquired Taylor-Dunn brand, but still a significant amount of time. More importantly though Garia is a luxury brand. Particularly with their new utility vehicle lineup, a high-end line of utility vehicles could be a nice overlay on the existing Polaris brands.
International Presence – With it’s strong European presence Garia would fit nicely with Polaris’ international expansion efforts. Garia could provide both expanded distribution and manufacturing options for other Polaris small vehicle brands outside the US. At the same time, Polaris manufacturing facilities could be used to reduce the cost of Garia vehicles sold in the US market.
Golf Segment Entry – The golf car segment is a major piece of the global small vehicle market, but Polaris does not have a presence in it except for the small portion of GEM owners using their vehicles for golf. The problem with the golf car segment is that it has been declining or stagnant in the US for several years and will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future. The golf car fleet market is also very price conscious and has its own interwoven distribution channel that funnels used fleet vehicles to golf car dealers. In the private transportation portion of the market used vehicles at various levels of refurbishment provide a range of choices in competition with new vehicles. However, what Garia has the potential to do is offer Polaris an entry into the golf car segment while remaining above the fray. They could avoid the price battles and target just the luxury end of the market which would require only a limited and targeted distribution network. Of course the question is if there is enough of a market there to interest them.
Complementary Vehicles – Garia vehicles would provide Polaris with golf cars and personal transportation vehicles but at the luxury end of the market that could complement the GEM brand in the personal transportation segment. Similarly the new Garia utility line could provide a higher-end vehicles sold through a complementary distribution network.
Electric Vehicles – Similar to Taylor-Dunn, the Garia product line would offer Polaris an opportunity to leverage their electric powertrain expertise and spread development costs among a larger array of vehicles.
Quality – Both companies focus on quality and the customer experience. There could be some good opportunities for knowledge transfer at many different levels for both companies.

What could be some reasons for not acquiring Garia. First, maybe Garia does not want to be acquired or their price could be too high. Second, Polaris may not see the luxury end of the small vehicle market as large enough to pursue. While luxury markets are often global, the luxury end of the small vehicle market may not be large enough even on a global scale to appeal to Polaris. Third, Polaris tends to purchase strong, established brands. Is the Garia brand strong enough and established enough to meet their needs. Fourth, Polaris may want to avoid the slow or no growth golf car segment altogether, even if the luxury end offers some growth opportunities.

Polaris Acquires Taylor-Dunn

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Taylor-Dunn is known for burden carriers and other industrial vehicles like the B-150.

Polaris Industries announced their acquisition of Taylor-Dunn, a leading manufacturer of industrial vehicles. Taylor-Dunn will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris. It will continue to be a distinct brand and operate from its current headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Anaheim. Taylor-Dunn will become part of the Polaris’ Work & Transportation division along side GEM, Goupil, Mega and Aixam in the Global Adjacent Markets business.

Just last week I was telling my colleague Stephen Metzger that I thought Taylor-Dunn and perhaps even Garia would be good acquisitions for Polaris. Taylor-Dunn is an excellent fit for Polaris for the following reasons:

Brand Value – Similar to GEM before their acquisition by Polaris, Taylor-Dunn has a strong brand in a niche market that has not fully been exploited as innovation and product development has been relatively slow over the past decade.
Innovation & Knowledge – Polaris has a strong tradition of product innovation driven by customer research. This should pair well with Taylor-Dunn that can offer a deep knowledge of the industrial vehicle market.
Electric Powered Vehicles – The Taylor-Dunn product line provides another vehicle platform for Polaris to leverage their growing electric vehicle expertise. It provides not only revenue opportunities but more vehicles over which they can spread electric powertrain development costs.
Complementary Market – Polaris has been expanding into different segments of the small vehicle market, especially commercial markets, but does not have a strong presence in the burden carrier and industrial segments.
Distribution – Taylor-Dunn’s distribution network consists largely of material handling companies. Polaris has a limited number of dealers in this channel. This new dealer network provides an opportunity for Polaris to place their other Work & Transportation brands such as GEM into this distribution channel.
International Presence – Taylor-Dunn has approximately 50 distributors outside the US and Canada. Polaris has been expanding their sales and manufacturing assets internationally in the small vehicle market. In the future, they could use their international manufacturing facilities to make Taylor-Dunn vehicles more cost effective in foreign markets.
Efficiency – Part of the Polaris success story has been their cost efficiency in many aspects of their business. There is likely some good opportunities for knowledge transfer and some fat to be trimmed at Taylor-Dunn.

Learn more: Polaris.com

What’s Cooking on the STOV: Mining Vehicles

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Highlighting some of the many applications for Small, Task-Oriented Vehicles

A Gravely utility vehicle ready for work at a local mining operation.

A Gravely utility vehicle ready to go to work at a local mining operation.

Fifth Gear Powersports of Elko, NV recently won several Reader Choice Awards sponsored by their local newspaper, the Elko Daily Free Press. No doubt their dedication to the local off-road bike and UTV scene is a big reason for their popularity, but they also cater to the local mining industry. They started by selling LED lights used for off-road night riding to the local mining operations. They also sell a variety of UTV vehicles from brands such as Kawasaki, Gravely and Polaris for use in underground mines. The utility vehicles must be configured to meet Mine Safety and Health Administration standards. Fifth Gear services the vehicles and has a washing bay at their facility for cleaning utility vehicles that come directly from a mine. Learn more: Elkodaily.com

2016 GEM Line Looks Like A Success

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Marc Cesare

The new GEM product line for model year 2016.

The new GEMs for model year 2016.

A recent conversation with a GEM dealer indicates that the newly designed 2016 GEM product line will be a success. In November I spoke with John Stockman, Director of GEM about the new 2016 line of GEM vehicles. I wanted to follow-up that article with a dealer’s perspective of the line now that it has been in the market. To that end I spoke with Andy Kaplan of Dominion Utility Vehicles of Bedford, Virginia, which carries the GEM line along with Gravely and Brutus utility vehicles. Polaris manufactures all three of these brands.

While December through February are typically a slow season for Kaplan, he has been selling GEMs at a rapid rate this year. In fact, we conversed while he and his loaded vehicle trailer were calling on customers for test drives and to deliver a price quotes. He is still following up leads from a trade show six weeks ago. Kaplan typically sells vehicles to colleges and universities, hospitals and real estate developments where GEMs are used for security, maintenance and people transport.

Polaris significantly re-engineered the GEM line for 2016. They made changes to the body design, added more cabin space, improved the doors and added more door options, introduced their Smart Power concept, and expanded options and accessories for the utility model. According to Kaplan, the changes have all hit the mark and are winning over customers. The new doors and additional cabin space are probably the most critical changes driving customer interest. As Kaplan observes, these changes give the GEM a more car-like feel. He believes they have helped position the GEM in it’s own market niche between golf car based vehicles and fully functional automobiles.

Kaplan expects to double his GEM sales this year driven by both the new 2016 line, and by virtue of the new line being part of a Virginia state purchasing contract. The latter allows state colleges, universities and other agencies to more easily purchase GEMs without having to conduct a complex purchasing process.

I’ve posted a more in-depth article from my discussion with Mr. Kaplan in our buying guide section.

What’s Cooking on the STOV: Electric Food Truck

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Marc Cesare

Highlighting some of the many applications for Small, Task-Oriented Vehicles

Chef Greg Steel and his Philly Greens food truck built on a GEM LSV.

In Philadelphia Chef Greg Steele is using a solar-powered Polaris GEM EL XD LSV as the basis for his Philly Greens food truck. With a top speed of 25 mph and range of up to 30 miles, the electric powered food truck suits his needs for urban/suburban mobility. The electric power plant cannot provide enough power for cooking as well, so he also uses a small gas generator.The Philly Greens truck started out as flatbed and then a metal frame was added followed by what looks like a stainless steel or aluminum skin. Custom paint and graphics made the truck complete.

The metal framework that provides the foundation for the custom food service area.

The GEM customized and ready for paint and graphics.

The vehicle is an integral part to Chef Steele’s goal of creating a sustainable food truck business. He offers a seasonal menu made with non-GMO, high quality, healthy food and sources ingredients locally. The menu changes frequently and includes what is referred to as a Jawn, which his website describes as “A word used by Philly cats to describe anything and everything. It fills in for another word, handy in a brain-freeze moment, or comes out as an expression of enthusiasm.” It also seems to include leafy greens and other ingredients of the moment. Other menu items include chili, nachos and recently sweet potato, coconut soup with sunflower chili, topped off with spiral cut turnip. Learn more: Phillygreens.com

Comment: Whether it is taxi services, tourist rentals or now food trucks, electric powered LSVs appear to be slowly carving out a niche in urban environments. The slower speeds, shorter distances, and limited parking space in these areas make these vehicles an ideal choice. The drive for sustainability by many local governments and citizens makes these electric powered vehicles appealing as well.

Buyer Beware: UTV Odometer Rollbacks

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Marc Cesare

A typical odometer for a UTV.

A recent story from KATV in Arkansas illustrates a potential issue when purchasing a used utility vehicle or side-by-side, fraudulent odometer rollbacks. The story follows the trail of a UTV that changed hands three times, losing a significant amount of mileage in the process. A private owner first sold the 2014 Yamaha Viking to a dealer for $9,250, but not before taking a picture of the odometer displaying 1,722 miles. The UTV was then sold as part of a group of vehicles to Gibson Auto Sales for $12,500, which turned around and sold the UTV to another private buyer fro $17,900. However, when the final private buyer bought the vehicle the odometer only showed 44 miles. Since UTVs are not licensed for road use they do not fall under the same laws as cars and trucks in the state. Therefore, when the title changes hands the mileage does not have to be recorded. In this case, no one has taken responsibility for changing the mileage, but the buyer was able to get their money refunded. The process of rolling back the mileage on a UTV can be accomplished relatively easily by purchasing a new speedometer and switching it out. They only cost one to two hundred dollars online. Learn more: KATV.com

Comment: With UTVs frequently selling for over $10,000 and even $20,000 the issue of odometer rollbacks is likely to become more prevalent not less. The majority of used UTV sales are also between private buyers, which makes it more difficult to determine if you are dealing with a reputable seller, and recoup your money if something fraudulent is perpetrated. If you are spending thousands of dollar on a used UTV, particularly one with low mileage, it is best to purchase the vehicle from someone you know, thoroughly inspect the vehicle for signs of significant use, or have a mechanic do it for you.

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