Mini-Truck Developments

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Sarge mini-truck from Sokon USA?????????? Photo by Branimir Kvartuc

Sokon USA – After encountering quality issues with their first attempt several years ago under the Mattruck brand, Hal Ferrell and Michael Lewis of Sokon USA have launched a mini-truck based hunting vehicle.?? Selling under the brand Sarge, these mini-trucks feature four wheel drive, a 45 hp engine and a 25 mph top speed.?? The company claims the vehicles are classified as LSVs and are street legal depending on state and local regulations.

The vehicle, which seats five, is sourced from China based DFM (Dong Feng Motor), a subsidiary of Chongqing Yuan Group and will retail for about $14,500.?? In addition to the hunting market, the vehicle will compete against utility vehicles in the construction, turf, ranching, farming and government markets.?? Learn more:?? Dealernewsblog.com

DFM Mini-truck (Thailand) -?? Driven by rising demand in the Thai market, the company is talking to the parent company DFM of China about?? manufacturing vehicles in Thailand rather than importing them from China.?? Learn more:?? Thailandchat.org

Farming Market Showing Strength For Utility Vehicles

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Signs of a strong farm segment were apparent at the recent Iowa Power Farming Show held earlier this month.?? Both the number of visitors and exhibitors increased from last year’s show.?? Organizers surveyed over 2,000 attendees on their purchase plans for 2010.?? Utility vehicles ranked fifth in the results with 11.4% of respondents indicating that they planned to purchase utility vehicles.?? They were behind tractors, guidance/precision ag equipment, grain bins/dryers and pick-up trucks.?? As a comparison 14.7% of respondents were planning on purchasing pick-up trucks.

I spoke with the show director Tom Junge and while he did not have a utility vehicle percentage from last year’s show he reported that the category placed fifth that year as well.?? He also remarked that the grain segment as opposed to the livestock segment in the agriculture market has been strong the past year and this is expected to continue this year as well. – Marc Cesare Learn more:?? Agrinews.com

Company News

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Global Motor Services – This newcomer to the electric vehicle market is using former Bears coach Mike Ditka to promote their products.?? Their current line-up includes a converted Chevy Aveo and a three-wheeled scooter.?? They expect to add an LSV in the future and currently have dealers in San Diego, New Jersey, Las Vegas and Chicago.?? Learn more:?? Autobloggreen

Zap – Zap has shipped a Zaptruck XL equipped with a solar panel to a large government agency.?? The solar panel supplements normal charging and provides some extra range. Learn more:?? Zjucnc.org

Also the company has been awarded “…an engineering prototype contract for the design and development of an electric mail truck.”?? This project is for converting a US Postal Service gas vehicle to electric propulsion.?? Learn more:?? Autobloggreen

Cruise Car – Adam Sulimirski has been promoted to the position of General Manager from Global Sales Director.?? Learn more:?? Madduxpress.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Mini-truck Based Mobile Grocery Store

Mini-truck Based Mobile Grocery Store

Mobile Grocery Store – In Thailand DFM Mini Truck Co is teaming up with?? Siam Makro Plc to launch a mobile grocery store concept.?? A specially designed vehicle with product inventory will be sold to grocery-store owners for use as mobile grocery stores, restaurants, bakery or coffee shops.?? According to reports the trucks will be available in two formats. The counter format allows shoppers to buy products around the truck and the walk-in format allows customers to choose products inside.

The truck and inventory will sell for the equivalent of about $15,000 US and owners will have seven product groups from which to choose.?? The companies estimate that owners can break even in one year and expect to initially sell 100 vehicles through a special marketing roadshow that will demo the concept.?? The DFM mini-trucks are imported from China.?? Learn more:?? Bangkokpost.com

Deere & Boeing Defence UK Working On Robotic Gator

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John Deere R-Gator Utility Vehicle

John Deere and Boeing Defence UK have announced a 17 month development project to enhance the capabilities of the R-Gator, Deere’s robotic utility vehicle for the military market.?? Boeing will be adding technologies to the vehicle to improve performance as an Assisted Carriage System (ACS).

The John??Deere R-Gator??? ACS can support an infantry section of up to eight men, and offload 1400 lbs. of individual equipment. It is designed to carry an increased level of ready combat supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations. Most importantly, the vehicle can operate autonomously, be driven manually, and be reconfigured to meet a multitude of ground support needs.

The R-gator is based on Deere’s Gator XUV utility vehicle.?? Learn more:?? Deere.com

Electric Truck Developments

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ZeroTruck Corp. – The company’s ZeroTruck, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis, was recently added to the GSA schedule for government purchasing. The ZeroTruck features a low cab-forward design, a fully automated transmission, a range u to 100 miles and is fully highway capable. The vehicle is available at Central Truck Center of Landover, Maryland and through select Isuzu dealerships in California, Colorado, North Carolina, and New York. Learn more: Your-story.org Comment: While in theory a vehicle like this could offer competition to utility vehicles that are displacing pickup trucks in certain market segments, at a cost of over $100,000 this is not likely to happen anytime soon. – Marc Cesare

Electric Motor Cars – The company has just introduced a two-seat electric pickup which is based on the Dacia Logan. Dacia is a subsidiary of Renault and the trucks are built in Romania. The company reports the vehicles may be assembled in Florida or Iowa in the future. The pick up sells for $33,950 and van and station wagon versions will also be available. The vehicles are powered by nickel sodium chloride, “ZEBRA” batteries, which will charge in 3 hours on 220 volts or up to 8 hours when powered by 110 volts. The company claims a range of 260 miles and reports that around 100 vehicles will be available in about one month. Currently three dealers distribute the vehicles. Learn more: Trucktrend.com

Zap – According to this post Zap is rolling out a larger electric truck for industrial and fleet use. Learn more: Hybridfriends.com

India Electric Truck Market -Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Reva Electric Car Company are planning to launch electric trucks and passenger carriers in the sub-one-tonne segment. Tata Motors has developed an electric version of the Ace which could debut soon. M&M, likewise, is working on a variant for the recently launched 0.9-tonne Maxximo.?? The sub-tonne segment in India numbers 100,000 vehicles annually.?? The companies are targeting applications for large shopping mall and residential complexes, airports and?? intra-city transport.?? While there is no mention of?? exporting the vehicles to other markets , previously Tata and GEM announced they were working on an electric version of the ACE for the US.

Learn more:?? Thehindubusinessline.com

John Deere Announces Upgrades To Gator TX & TE

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John Deere recently announced upgrades to two of their Gator utility vehicles.?? The Gator TX will feature more horsepower, greater acceleration and a new suspension system.?? The electric powered Gator TE features a 900 lb cargo box and will be more widely available through Agriculture & Turf distributors and dealers.?? Learn more:?? Deere.com

A GEM Of A Super Bowl Ad

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GEM Vehicle Appears In Audi Super Bowl Ad

If you looked closely at Audi’s Super Bowl commercial you would have noticed?? that a GEM vehicle was featured prominently in the ad.?? In fact someone took the time to measure exposure time and GEM beat the Audi vehicle 11 seconds to 8 seconds.?? Learn more:?? Leesfreeriff.blogspot.com

American Custom Golf Carts Develops Highway Speed Prototype

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American Custom Golf Carts Pulse Electric Car

American Custom Golf Carts a producer of LSVs that look like Escalades, Hummers and Roadsters has produced a prototype highway speed electric vehicle.?? The Pulse Electric reportedly reaches speeds of 70 mph and is based on a gas powered vehicle from China.?? There is no timetable for market launch since the company needs several million dollars for crash testing and airbag system development. Learn more: Carconcerns.blogspot.com

GSA Approves Enova Systems & Smith Electric Vehicles As Suppliers

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The General Services Administration (GSA) which provides vehicles and arranges pricing deals for government and military agencies for the United States has approved vehicles from Enova Systems and Smith Electric Vehicles.?? Enova Systems will provide their Enova Ze for the category of all-electric walk-in step vans with a GVWR between 10,001 and 16,000 lbs. for 12, 14, and 16 foot body lengths.?? Smith Electric Vehicles is providing their?? Newton in the all-electric medium and heavy duty categories with a GVWR of up to 25,500 lbs.?? Both companies report they are the exclusive supplier for their respective all-electric vehicle categories.?? Enova Systems also supplies Smith Electric Vehicles with electric drive systems for their Newton vehicles.?? Learn more:?? finance.yahoo.com