Club Car Awarded National Contract for Utility, Transportation & Golf Vehicles

Posted on by
Reply
Carryall 2 Electric from Club Car

Carryall 2 Electric from Club Car is one of the vehicles covered by the newly awarded contract.

Club Car has won a national contract from U.S. Communities for utility, transportation and golf vehicles and related accessories, equipment, parts and services. U.S. Communities is the leading national government purchasing cooperative, providing government procurement resources and solutions to local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education institutes, and nonprofits looking for the best overall supplier government pricing. More than 55,000 registered agencies, education institutions and nonprofits utilize U.S. Communities contracts to procure

The lead agency on the bid solicitation for the contract was the City of Kansas City, MO. This is the first time the organization has awarded a contract in this category and it is for three years with two one year renewal options. Vehicles covered in the contract include:

  • Carryall® utility vehicles. (4x2s and automatic 4x4s and two- and four-passenger models.)
  • Carryall® LSVs. Street-legal on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less in most states.
  • Transporter™ transport vehicles. (Four- to eight-passenger.)
  • Villager™ transport vehicles. (Four- to eight-passenger.)
  • Precedent® golf cars.
  • Café Express hospitality vehicles.
  • Service parts factory direct.

Learn more:  Virtual-strategy.com

Comment:  This is a nice contract to win. It effectively shuts out the competition when the member agencies want to purchase these types of vehicles. They don’t have to put out request for proposals (RFP) and obtain quotes from multiple vendors. By avoiding the RFP process, purchasing through this contract makes the process faster for both the buyer and seller.

 

XY Powersports Introduces Vaterra 1100

Posted on by
20
The Vaterra 1100L, the four person versio of the new Vaterra side-by-side by XY Powersports.

The Vaterra 1100L, the four person versio of the new Vaterra side-by-side by XY Powersports.

XY Powersports, an Ohio based distributor, recently introduced their new Vaterra 1100 side-by-side. The new side-by-side is powered by an electronic fuel injected 1100cc engine that produces 71.5 horsepower and 67 pounds of torque at 4000 RPM. The Vaterra is offered in a two or four person version. Other key features include:

  • Rear-wheel driveshaft
  • Switchable to 2-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive with a differential lock
  • Automatic CVT
  • Power steering
  • Liquid twin-fan cooling system
  • DOHC 16 valves
  • Electronic e-brake
  • Hydraulic assist bed with mounted rails on both sides
  • Protective overfenders
  • Alloy wheels
  • Half doors
  • Plastic canopy
  • 3000 lbs. winch
  • 3500 lbs. hitch ball
  • Sealed under-seat storage

The two seat Vaterra 1100 EFI is priced at $12,599 and the four seat Vaterra 1100L EFI is priced at $13,999. Learn more:  XYOutdoors.com

Comment:  The XY Powersports products are value priced. The name brand manufacturers have been able to raise prices on their vehicles for a number of years without hurting sales. The demand for vehicles has been increasing and the features and capabilities of the vehicles has increased as well, so customers have been willing to pay the price. However, rising price points have provided some room in the market for value priced brands such as Kymco, XY Powersports and others to find some success. The challenge for these value oriented companies is to maintain a steady stream of new models that provide value through a combination of price and features in comparison to name brand vehicles.

Exmark Adds Utility Vehicles to Product Lineup

Posted on by
Reply
The new 700S utility vehicle from Exmark.

The new 700S utility vehicle from Exmark.

Exmark, a manufacturer of commercial mowers and lawn care equipment, recently announced the addition of two gas-powered utility vehicles to their product line, the Exmark 500S and 700S. Both vehicles feature electronic fuel injection for their 4-stroke SOHC engines. Exmark is a Toro owned brand and the new utility vehicles appear to be the same new utility vehicles offered under the Toro brand. Additional vehicle features include:

  • Automatic CVT
  • Dynamic engine braking
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • 2WD/4WD selection
  • Tilting rear cargo box convertible to a flatbed
  • Cargo box capacity of 600 lb. for the 500S and 1,000 lb. for the 700S
  • Fully independent suspension with dual A-arms front and rear
  • 10 inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of front and rear suspension travel
  • Standard brush guard an adjustable CAM-style shocks
  • Integrated front and rear two-inch receivers

The vehicles will be available March 2015.

Learn more:  Agprofessional.com

Comment:  SVR believes Arctic Cat is producing these utility vehicles for both Toro and Exmark. It’s an example of the different methods companies are using to expand their distribution channels in the UTV market. Arctic Cat can reach the work UTV segment by manufacturing for Toro and Exmark while those companies can concentrate on their strengths, developing lawn care equipment, but still have a presence in the growing UTV market. In addition these vehicles offer more recreational crossover appeal then the traditional work vehicles Toro has and continues to offer. By selling under the Exmark brand as well, Toro further expands their UTV distribution.

John Deere Offers Security Option for Gators in the UK

Posted on by
Reply

John Deere is now offering the CESAR security option for Gators in the UK. The CESAR system started in the construction and then the agricultural markets and is supported by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and the Construction Equipment Association (CEA).

The system works by giving each piece of equipment a unique and permanent identity using state of the art Datatag security marking technology. This cannot be removed by thieves, and is linked to a secure, 24/7 dedicated call centre. Since 2007, CESAR has reduced overall equipment theft in the UK by 46 per cent, increased the rate of recovery of stolen equipment by a factor of six, and also helped reduce insurance premiums.

The security system is being offered as a factory added option for Gator utility vehicles. Learn more:  Pitchcare.com

Comment:  Anecdotal evidence I’ve seen from tracking news stories appears to indicate that theft of utility vehicles has been on the rise. This is not surprising given their growing popularity. While this security system seems to be more targeted towards commercial users, it could be an appealing option for consumers, especially those with more expensive recreational vehicles or higher end work vehicles.

Ashok Leyland Plans for Electric Version of Dost Mini-truck

Posted on by
Reply
The current ICE powered Dost from Ashok Leyland may get an electric brethren.

The current ICE powered Dost from Ashok Leyland may get an electric brethren.

India-based Ashok Leyland is working on an electric version of their Dost light commercial vehicle. A prototype was recently revealed along with electric versions of a larger truck and a bus. The Dost will be undergoing testing by the company to validate the concept. There is no timetable for when the vehicle will be commercially available. Learn more:  Thehindu.com

Textron Acquires Douglas Equipment

Posted on by
Reply
The Tugmaster DC5 - 42 from Douglas Equipment is part of the product line Textron is adding to their Specialized Vehicle division.

The Tugmaster DC5 – 42 from Douglas Equipment is part of the product line Textron is adding to their Specialized Vehicle Group with their latest acquisition.

Textron has acquired Douglas Equipment, a UK-based supplier of ground support equipment to airlines, from Curtiss-Wright Flow Controls. Douglas Equipment will become part of the Textron’s subsidiary Textron Specialized Vehicle Group which manufacturers golf cars, utility vehicles and ground support equipment under brands such as E-Z-GO, Cushman, Bad Boy Buggies and TUG. The subsidiary already sells ground support equipment to airlines under the TUG brand and Douglas Equipment products are expected to complement those products. Douglas Equipment specializes in conventional aircraft tractors and runway friction measuring devices. Textron management expects the acquisition to expand their ground support equipment product line and add customers. Learn more:  Zacks.com

Comment:  Golf car manufacturers are looking for new growth areas with the continued decline of the golf fleet market. They are attempting to do this with new product offerings to boost sales in existing markets or to target new markets. Another method is through complementary acquisitions such as this. What we haven’t seen yet is an acquisition in a completely untapped market, such as an acquisition in the recreational vehicle segment of the STOV market. While golf car manufacturers have made some moves into the off-road UTV segment, it has been primarily been with work vehicles with some light recreational crossover applications but nothing in the purely recreational segment.

Toro Expands UTV Lineup

Posted on by
Reply
A new electronic fuel injected utility vehicle from Toro.

A new electronic fuel injected utility vehicle from Toro.

Toro recently announced the addition of two gas-powered utility vehicles to their product line, the 500 EFI and 700 EFI. As the model names suggest, the vehicles both feature electronic fuel injection for their 4-stroke engines. Additional features include:

  • Duramatic automatic transmissions
  • Dynamic engine braking
  • Electronic 2WD/4WD selection
  • Digital display for fuel level, temperature, oil pressure, speedometer/tachometer
  •  Tilting rear cargo box convertible to a flatbed
  • Payload capacity of 1,100 lbs for the 500 EFI and 1,500 lbs for the 700 EFI
  • 10 inches of ground clearance
  • Standard brush guard an adjustable CAM-style shocks
  • Integrated front and rear two-inch receivers
  • Available accessories include but not limited to windshields, cabs, plow blades, light kits, winches, and stereo

The UTVs will be available at Toro dealers in the spring.

Learn more:  Toro.com

Comment:  The new Toro vehicles continue some trends we have been seeing in the work utility vehicle market and other areas of the STOV market. One is the move towards EFI engines. While more common in the recreational UTV market for performance reasons, in the last few years golf and turf vehicle manufacturers have been switching over to EFI engines as well. Another trend is the high pace of new product introductions. This is related to the increased competition across many markets but in particular in the work and commercial UTV markets as traditional golf car manufacturers seek growth outside of fleet sales and power sports manufacturers look to expand beyond recreation and crossover applications into the work utility segment in general and commercial sub-segment specifically.

Delta-Q Technologies Launches New Charger for Utility Vehicles

Posted on by
Reply

Delta-Q Technologies used the recent expo, The Rental Show 2015, to launch a pair of new electric vehicle battery chargers,  the IC650 Industrial Battery Charger for aerial lifts and the QuiQ 1500 for utility vehicles. According to the company,

The QuiQ 1500 allows users to charge existing battery packs up to 30 percent faster than the QuiQ 1000 or equip machines with a bigger pack, meeting a 5- or 8-hour charging time. The QuiQ 1500 is compact and matches the exact dimensions and mounting holes of the existing QuiQ 1000, allowing swift replacement of any existing QuiQ charger. In addition, it can be used as an additional, off-board charger to charge battery packs faster.

The chargers have charging profiles for a range of popular batteries from brands such as Discover Energy, Fullriver, Interstate, Trojan and U.S. Battery. The company also provides generic profiles for different battery types and Amp hour ranges. Learn more:  Delta-q.com

 

Utility Vehicles Top Equipment List for Golf Course Superintendents

Posted on by
Reply
Planned equipment purchases for 2015 from Golf Course Industry's State of the Industry survey.

Planned equipment purchases for 2015 from Golf Course Industry’s State of the Industry survey.

According to the recent State of the Industry survey by Golf Course Industry, utility vehicles top the list of equipment that golf course superintendents are planning to purchase in 2015. A third of the respondents are planning on acquiring the vehicles. UTVs topped the list in all regions, the West, Northeast, Midwest and South. A deeper dive into the data reveals some prime markets… “Broken down further, 43 percent of respondents at private courses, 51 percent at western courses and 55 percent at courses operating with budgets in excess of $1 million all indicated utility vehicles as their top purchases.”  Learn more:  Golfcourseindustry.com

 Comment:  The positive outlook for utility vehicles in this segment is similar to what SVR is projecting for the market in our latest STOV market study. However, utility vehicle offerings from traditional golf car manufacturers will continue to face stiff competition from power sports and other manufacturers that are more aggressively pursuing other utility vehicle markets in the search for growth.

Polaris Acquires Hammerhead Off-Road

Posted on by
Reply
The Hammerhead GTS Platinum off-road go-kart.

The Hammerhead GTS Platinum off-road go-kart.

Polaris Industries announced the acquisition of HH Investment Limited, a Shanghai-based company that manufactures off-road go-karts, light-utility and electric utility vehicles, which are sold under the Hammerhead Off-Road brand name in the US. In addition to its main manufacturing facility in Shanghai, Hammerhead has a sales, distribution and light-assembly operation in Dallas. The company also has some private label agreements with other OEMs. Hammerhead Off-road will continue to operate as a standalone entity. Learn more:  Polaris.com

Comment:  The acquisition fits many of the strategic objectives that Polaris has including growing their international revenues and expanding into electric vehicles. The addition of go-karts further extends the breadth of Polaris’ offerings of off-road vehicles from work to recreational applications as well as in terms of customers and price points. Their product line retails for between $1,000 and $3,500 and some of them are go-karts for kids. The assembly operation in Texas may also prove useful for serving the growth of UTVs in the southern tier of the US. Even though the company will operate as a standalone entity, it will be interesting to see if some Polaris dealers start picking up the product line. Hammerhead could benefit from the extensive Polaris dealer network.