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20 • January 27, 2014 • Powersports Business ATV www.PowersportsBusiness.com Subaru EFI engine powers new Club Car UTV Club Car is launching a new line of Carryall utility and transport vehicles to help commercial and industrial customers switch from costly pickup trucks to gas, diesel or zero-emissions electric utility vehicles. The new vehicles will be available in January 2014. "We designed and engineered the new Carryall utility vehicle line based on customer feedback obtained through a global listening tour. As a result, they incorporate the improved power, versatility, reliability and fuel efficiency today's customers demand," said Ross Lyons, Carryall product manager. The vehicles will retain the rustproof aluminum frame, rack-and-pinion steering and independent front suspension system that has made the Carryall a market leader. In addition to work utility vehicles, the Carryall line includes Transporter transport vehicles, which can carry up to six passengers, as well as street-legal Carryall LSVs (low speed vehicles). MASSIMOPAGE 18 CONTINUED FROM pany's dreams of building its own machines from the ground up. "The true vision of our owner is to manufacturer a 100 percent domestically made sideby-side," said Massimo national sales manager Dylan Smith. "That's the vision. I don't know if that's a 3-, 5- or 10-year plan, but that is the target and we'll hit it." A major part of the company's philosophy relies on providing dealers and retailers with higher margins than competitive mainstream products. For consumers, machines come loaded with popular accessories like high-fashion wheels, roof and windshield kits, aggressive tires and winches straight from the factory. "The margins on Massimo are much larger than the other OEMs," Braun said, "so we still give them a very good profit opportunity with the unit, even with all of the accessories." Working with a foreign-based manufacturer presents many challenges, not the least of which include requesting changes to appeal to the local market. Of the relationship, Braun said that as its largest distributor, Massimo's technical requests are quickly addressed. That flexibility has led to vehicles with current features like push-button four-wheel drive, disc brakes, fuel injection and locking differentials for low-traction environments. Massimo also spends a lot of time benchmarking competitive product, not just for mechanical systems, but also for programs that can be helpful in attracting new dealers to its network. that starts at $7,499. Its UTV range is much broader — from 200cc units up to the 1,100cc MSU 1100-4 — and where the company sees its keys to future success. They range in price from the $3,995 MSU-200 up to the $13,995 for the 1100-class four-seater. The all-new Alligator series — available only through dealerships, not retail outlets — includes the singlepassenger Alligator 500 and Alligator 700 models, as well as the fourperson Alligator 700-4, styled by an Arizonabased designer hired to give its foreign-built machines a modern look that Massimo hopes will BOB BRAUN differentiate its products from other low-cost competitors. With unique dash, hood, fenders, bumper, headlights and vents, among others, the Alligator series are the company's first products designed in-house, an DYLAN SMITH 18-month process from CAD drawings to the dealership that serves as a template for the com- P18x20-PSB2-ATV.indd 20 PARTNERING FOR POWER To bridge the gap between trucks and UTVs, Club Car partnered with Subaru, whose engi- neers adapted automotive technology to design a sophisticated new engine for the Carryall utility vehicles. The 14-hp-rated, 404cc, single-cylinder overhead cam engine features electronic fuel injection (EFI), capacitive discharge ignition (CDI), hemispherical heads and a case-hardened steel timing chain that enhances reliability. A splash lubrication system eliminates the need for oil filters simplifies maintenance and reduces environmental waste. The engine warranty has been increased from two years/2,000 hours to three years/3,000 hours limited warranty standard on all new Carryall and Transporter models. The new engines boost horsepower by 30 percent and fuel efficiency by as much as 50 percent over previous Carryall utility vehicle engines. Since there is no choke or carburetor, the engines start right up, even in frigid weather. The new engines also run cooler, last longer and automatically compensate for altitude. "No other vehicle in its class offers an EFI engine with this matrix of features and benefits," Lyons said. PSB FUTURE PLANS improving performance, sport riding potenNext up on Massimo's agenda is filling out its tial and ability to carry multiple passengers UTV line to complement its existing stable. in relative comfort. With these fundamental While the company is hesitant to discuss spe- advantages, Braun thinks the side-by-side cifics, Braun and Smith are thrilled about what's sales growth is far from over. coming next and hinted that they may have "It's a much more customer-friendly prodsport-focused UTVs waiting in the wings. uct," he said. "Right now with the UTV busi "I don't want to say our cup runneth over, ness growing the way that it is even in a soft but right now it's pretty good," Braun said. time, when the economy improves even more "There are a few things that we just can't talk about that we've got on the drawing board that will, hopefully, be here sooner than what we even think. We hope to add to that, and right now we're pretty happy." While the company is seeking growth, its plan is to grow incrementally to maintain its Massimo sales grew by 30 percent in 2013, and it capped the year by product quality and positive exhibiting at AIMExpo in Orlando. relations with its dealer partners. Its current goal is to capture 5 percent of the American powersports market. we keep looking at those numbers that ATVs "We want to grow; we don't want to aggra- did and say why not?" vate anybody," Braun said. "We feel as though Braun said that while many in the side-bythe industry's grown large enough and big side industry are expecting 15 percent growth enough for another manufacturer out there." or better in 2014, he and his team have set a Just how big that market will grow higher target that they are "very comfortable" remains to be seen, but Braun sees a paral- in attaining. lel in the rise and fall of ATV sales in the last "It doesn't get much better, and you can tell decade. As annual quad sales approached by our enthusiasm," he said. "We're growing 1 million units and fell dramatically during as the UTV business is growing [and with] the the recession, UTVs were just starting to motorsports dealer network we are just starting break out by capitalizing on their steadily to scratch the surface." PSB 1/15/14 12:03 PM