Optimism Reigns at PGA-GIS Expos
By Stephen Metzger, PhD, Senior Editorial Advisor, IUV Magazine
If statistics indicate an on-going recession across most markets in the United States, it would be difficult to tell by visiting the PGA Show and Golf Industry Show. While attendance at both may have been a bit lower than previous years, the general tenor at the exhibits and among attendees was decidedly upbeat.
PGA Show officials summed it up by saying “40,000 PGA Professionals, retailers and industry leaders from every U.S. state and 76 countries attended the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show...using the Show as a springboard from recession to recovery.” For its part, the GIS recorded over 7,000 qualified buyers in attendance, incrementally surpassing that number attending the previous show in New Orleans.
Golf industry trade shows support wide variety of utility vehicles
The golf industry has, for many years, supported the growth and refinement of utility vehicles. And you can’t exclude the golf car itself, which is not often thought of as a utility vehicle, but has lent its design characteristics and performance attributes to a wide range of specialized vehicles, outfitted to accomplish specific tasks. In addition to the golf car derivatives, however, are the heavier duty vehicles with wider frames, more powerful motors, four-wheel drive trains, hydraulic disk brakes, and bigger tires, just to name a few of the differentiating features.
A relatively new aspect of recent shows has been the introduction of neighborhood electric vehicles. The gated community has become the incubator of what may become a new transportation-mobile utility paradigm.
Vehicles evolve in response to customer demand
One of the advantageous features of the small, task-oriented vehicle industry is its ability to rapidly respond to customer demand and suggestions. A clear example of this is E-Z-GO’s new 48 volt light utility vehicle, the ST 400. This vehicle, a derivative of the new TXT 48 volt golf car, is equipped with an Advanced Motors and Drives 48-volt DC motor.
While the AC-driven RXV is E-Z-GO’s top of the line model, the 48 volt DC system marked a significant departure from E-Z-GO’s historic reliance on 36 volt golf cars and utility vehicles and may provide a better competitive positioning in relation to offerings from its major competitors, including Club Car.
In another response to customer feedback, E-Z-GO’s workhorse utility vehicles, the MPT 1000 and MPT 1200 now come with a larger, 14.9 cubic foot aluminum bed, compared to the 9.6 cubic foot molded bed.
Club Car focuses on golf fleet enhancements
Club Car produces a full line of utility vehicles, several models of which appeared at both shows; however, considerable emphasis was placed on golf fleet enhancements, which included the Visage Mobile Information System and Solar Drive solar panels.
The Visage Mobile Information System incorporates the Guardian SVC fleet management system introduced last year and adds to it a set of services to the golfer, including a 3-D flyover of each hole, tee shot and distance-to-the-pin measurement, and other game-related intelligence. Golfers access this information via a 10.2-inch monitor mounted in the golf car.
The fleet management component allows golf course managers to track individual golf cars in use on the course, regulate golf car speed, and keep users from straying into restricted areas of the course, and can monitor aspects of vehicle maintenance.
Visage was developed by Club Car in collaboration with GPS Industries, Sarasota, FL, and utilizes a combination of global positioning system, cellular, and wireless technologies.
Another enhancement to golf car operation is the SolarDrive Roof, highly efficient and durable crystalline solar-cell panel that greatly reduce electricity costs associated with charging both golf cars and electric utility vehicles. SolarDrive and Club Car entered a marketing alliance last year and the product was again jointly presented at this year’s PGA Show.
Yamaha Adventurer series is highlighted
Yamaha’s 2010 Adventurer series features two models, the Adventurer 1 and the Adventurer 2, the latter a heavier duty version of the former. Both models feature the 357F Yamaha-built engine and Adventurer 1 also comes in a 48 volt electric version. The major difference is in the heavier-duty coil-over-shock strut suspension, front and back, on the Adventurer 2, allowing a significantly higher payload of 800 lbs. and a larger 18.9 cubic foot dump bed. The Adventurer 2 has four wheel drum brakes, while the Adventurer 1 braking system is an internal transaxle disk brake.
Heavy duty vehicle performance enhancements:
John Deere, Toro, Cushman
Moving into the category of heavy duty utility vehicles, John Deere, Toro, and Cushman displayed representative models of their respective product lines, the Gator, HDX, and Truckster, respectively. John Deere, according to a spokesperson, will be coming out with new models and features in what the company describes as their commercial line (to differentiate from products aimed at the golf market) in the near future.
In its golf market vehicles, John Deere exhibited two gas models, the TX Turf with a four cycle Kawasaki engine and the 2020A with a three-cycle, liquid-cooled Yanmar power plant. The 2030A is a diesel powered vehicle. The TE Turf, or Gator TE, is John Deere’s electric-powered entry in the golf market, incorporating a 48 volt system with a DC electric motor and a 400 amp controller. The Gator TE has a large 16.4 cubic foot capacity reinforced box with a gas-assist shock for easy lifting and dumping. The Gator TE is becoming more and more popular, according to Matt Armbrister, Marketing Manager, Golf & Turf.
Toro’s HDX950 is a good example of versatile performance characteristics which typify this highly competitive segment of the utility vehicle market. The HDX950 features de Dion rear suspension technology with dual coil springs and shock absorbers. Power connects to the wheels through the transaxle. The vehicle has four-wheel drive capability with four-wheel hydraulic disk brakes.
There are two power options—a fuel injection 31.5 hp 950 cc gasoline-driven engine and a 24 hp diesel engine with the same displacement. The vehicle also incorporates a three-speed transmission and a high-low range in all three gears to give the HDX950 significant operating versatility—and an industry-leading 3,200-pound hauling capacity.
Head-to-head with the HDX950 is Cushman’s Turf-Truckster. The Turf-Truckster comes with a five-speed manual transmission with two-speed rear axle or a three-speed automatic transmission. Both drive trains are teamed with a Suzuki 660 liquid-cooled electronic fuel injection engine, generating 32 hp. Maximum haulage capacity is 2,850 lbs., to include driver and any passengers.
Market growth spurs company focus on LSVs
Government subsidies in the form of tax credits, both at the federal and state levels, had a major impact on low-speed vehicle (LSV) sales in 2009. While the final figures are not in as yet (see International Market Solutions’ upcoming report), virtually all market participants reported strong sales, especially in the last half of the year. This was not surprising as the most generous credits expired at year’s end. Tax credits in the range of 8%-10% at the federal level continue, however, and should help boost sales in 2010, if not at the same pace.
Participants in the LSV market include Tomberlin, Fairplay, and STAR. Club Car’s Villager 2+2 and Carryall 2 and 6 come in LSV-qualified versions and E-Z-GO’s RXV LSV model is due for a rollout later this year. All companies with currently available LSV-qualified vehicles reported major gains in sales, as demand heated up throughout 2009. In what was a difficult year, LSV sales were a bright spot.
Tomberlin pioneers the LSV and the “close-in commuter” vehicle
Tomberlin’s eye-catching ANVIL was on full display at the GIS. It was not only the iridescent colors that attracted but features such as, in one of the vehicles, airbags, which for purposes of demonstration were activated on a programmed time schedule. This is the first instance of an LSV equipped with airbags and is part of a Tomberlin strategy to convince the National Highway Safety and Transportation Agency (NHTSA) that LSV’s are capable of a broader role in the nation’s transportation system as a close-commuter vehicle—and if this new category is approved, the industry will have Tomberlin to thank for the breakthrough.
The ANVIL steps away from the predominant LSV concept, which is based on the golf car look, has approximately the same, if not identical sized frame, and the same 48 volt power source. By contrast, the ANVIL is AC powered with a 72 volt system, and is substantially wider at almost six feet. The width factor is clearly important beyond the 25 m.p.h. upper speed limit now specified by NHTSA–should the regulations change allowing higher speeds.
Tomberlin also offers a full line of the currently more conventional LSVs, its E-Merge line. An addition to the line this year is the four-passenger, front facing seating E-Merge E4 LE. Top of the line is the Shelby GT-500, fitted with an 18 h.p. AC powered motor and a 650 amp Curtis controller.
Tomberlin’s Vanish may be new pacesetter in hunting vehicles
The Tomberlin exhibit also prominently featured the Vanish, an electric hunting vehicle, described by the company as “the first purpose built electric utility vehicle”. The vehicle is also LSV-certified so that it can be used on-road, as well as in rough terrain.
The Vanish has a multitude of interesting features, including a shaft-driven four-wheel drive, independent double front A-arm suspension with adjustable shocks. The rear suspension is independent with adjustable shocks and a sway bar, and vehicle rides high with 101/2-inch ground clearance. The vehicle is powered by an AC electric motor made by Advanced Motors and Drives. The vehicle also features a multi-speed high and low, two-speed transmission, making it one of the very few electric vehicles with a transmission.
The Vanish also features a “stealth speed” which basically puts the vehicle on automatic pilot at 3 m.p.h., so that this speed is automatically maintained through rough terrain, conditions which would otherwise require constant “gas” pedal adjustments. The vehicle is also full immersion capable; that is, the batteries and engine can be submerged without loss of operation.
As David Turner, member of Tomberlin’s Senior Leadership Team and designer of the Vanish, emphasizes, “the Vanish is no upgraded or glorified golf car...it’s a whole different vehicle, from top to bottom.”
Chinese manufacturing in LSV and utility markets impress
Two entrants in the LSV market, with manufacturing predominantly in China, were exhibitors at the GIS. These were Star Electric Vehicles, based in Greenville, SC and AGT Electric Vehicles, a newcomer as of six months ago, with distribution out of Canada.
Star’s product line includes 17 models ranging from two, four, and six passenger vehicles to passenger buses with seating capacities ranging from eight to eleven, and includes two LSV-qualified vehicles. Another featured Star vehicle was an electric hunting car, the Stalker 4 X 4 featuring four wheel independent suspension and four-wheel hydraulic disk brakes.
The company was established in 2004 by husband and wife team, Jane Zhang and Jun Hu, CEO and President, respectively. According to Corporate Accounts & Marketing Manager, Jeff Moreau, the company, “Has expanded rapidly with over 200 dealers in 50 states,” and saw LSV sales shoot up in 2009 in the wake of the government tax credits.
Another Chinese participant, having recently opened offices in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, is AGT Electric Cars. It, like Star, is primarily a Chinese manufacturer. Its exhibit featured the company’s sports utility vehicle with similar features to the Star Stalker; i.e., a 4 X 4 electric with two, 4 KW electric motors, along with a golf car and a six-person personnel transporter.
Another prominent importer, Fairplay Electric Cars, continues to use Chinese manufacturing sources for its line of utility vehicles, LSVs and golf cars, although according to Sales VP Jeff Emerson, with its warehouse assembly and quality control facility in Long Beach, CA and corporate offices and R & D based in Grand Junction, CO, the company is pulling more and more of its operations into the United States.
Fairplay’s principal LSV entrants are the EVE Deluxe and the EVE Eco. The EVE Limited is a relatively new arrival available in limited quantities. This model is equipped with a 6.5 h.p. AC motor and a 500 amp controller.
New products: Components
Certainly one of the most critical components of the new generation of small electric vehicles is the alternate current motor. In this regard, Advanced Motors and Drives, Syracuse, NY introduced a new, lightweight permanent magnet electric motor, incorporating neodymium rare earth materials. Neodymium rare earth magnets have a pronounced resistance to being demagnetized and have the potential for storing large amounts of magnetic energy. Thus, the new product can offer the high efficiency technology of the AC motor but with significantly less weight.
AMD is also introducing a fully integrated transaxle technology equipped with an on-board microprocessor. The microprocessor can be programmed to various gear ratios to ensure the correct torque for the application, whether it be lower range ratios for high torque DC applications or higher ratios for AC applications. AMD has also been diversifying into battery chargers and motor controllers, according to Bud Hittie, AMD President and COO.
The Lester Electrical exhibit provided an overview of the many types of battery charging products that the company has been traditionally known for. The company’s leading X-Series Industrial Battery Chargers incorporate advanced SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) technology and can be profiled for both flooded lead acid and AGM type batteries.
Lester is also involved in the developing lithium ion battery market. “Lester is dedicated to working collaboratively with lithium ion battery manufacturers and developers,” according to Spencer Stock, Product Marketing Manager, “to develop optimal types of battery management systems that fit the profile of these batteries.”
Innovative products and new product developments
Typical of the two shows, there are a myriad of innovative products and new product developments that make a measurable difference in facilitating STOV sales. Some of the notable ones are as follows:
Trojan Batteries, the leader in deep cycle batteries for mobile applications, has upgraded its entire line by adding a single source battery filling system called HydroLink™. The system is available preinstalled on typical battery packs. Variations in battery arrangements on equipment can be accommodated with a hose device (the Snake™) that snaps into place. The device accommodates different water levels that are likely to occur among the cells internal to the battery and greatly speeds up the process of battery watering.
Fore-Par, one of the industry’s leading suppliers of aftermarket parts and accessories, introduced a reflective, powdered-coated tape which helps illuminate golf cars and NEVs in hours of darkness. The halo retro-reflective powder coating, a patented coating and coating process can be applied to virtually any substrate according to Halo Coatings information, and can illuminate objects more the 1,000 feet away. According to Fore-Par President, Scott Mallory, Fore-Par has exclusive rights to market the new material into the golf car market. Both the coater and the marketer must be licensed, according to Mallory.
GRRReen™ Power Management Systems, Solana Beach, CA, has developed a iron phosphate, lithium ion (LiFePO4) battery with a patented battery management system, capable of monitoring and regulating charge and discharge across battery cells. The iron phosphate chemistry assures stability, such that, according to the company, thermal runaway is not going to be a problem. There are presently two versions of the 48 volt battery, one 40 amps, the other 60 amps. The batteries are attractively (and surprisingly) priced at under $2,500 and $3,500, respectively.
Global reach of STOV products evident
The small, task-oriented vehicle market continues to demonstrate its global reach. Aside from the China-based manufacturers, the list of foreign-based companies is quite substantial. For example, Kollmorgen, a Sweden-based division of Danaher, provides the drive for Tomberlin’s Vanish; Slovenia-based Iskra Avtoelektrika builds the AC electric motor for E-Z-GO’s RXV; and Graziano Transmissioni SpA, based in Rivoli (Torino), Italy, is a prominent supplier of small vehicle transaxles and transmissions, to Club Car in particular.
Many U.S.-based companies have plants abroad, Trojan Battery and Advanced Motors and Drives in China, for example. These examples, and the many more that could be cited are not news to those who follow the industry or are working in it. It is useful to remember, however, that the productive resources and markets from which this industry draws and to which it sells are accessible on a global basis.
The implications of this are twofold: First, the age of the small, task-oriented vehicle is very broadly based and dynamic in terms of participants and technology; and second, the market, because of its broad base, is highly diversified. As a result, we can look for the recent downturn of late 2008-2009 to be reversed with growth to come back on track during 2010. From the optimism clearly evident at both shows, that appears to be message, if not the clear expectation.
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