Columbia Lands Another Government LSV Order

Columbia ParCar announced today that the company had been awarded an order for 192 vehicles by the US government.  This follows on the heels of a previous order for the US Army of 799 vehicles.  The vehicles for the latest order are destined for U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine installations, as well as certain FAA installations, Kennedy Space Center and numerous National Parks.  The mix of LSVs include a four passenger vehicle for transporting personnel and a utility vehicle that can carry cargo and two passengers.  Both orders are required and expected to be fulfilled by March 2010.  The Army reports an annual energy savings of $740 for each vehicle compared to a gas powered car.  Learn more:  AMTOnline.com

Comment: I find two aspects of this order that are significant.  First, the speed with which the government has followed up on the previous order I believe is an indication that they are pleased with how well the vehicles fit their needs.  Second, that some of the vehicles are headed for other branches of the Armed Forces points to a much greater market potential.  The Army originally noted that beyond their initial plan for 4,000 vehicles they could envision ordering another 6,000 vehicles, and 10,000 vehicles each for the Navy and Air Force.  This order could be an early sign of those projections coming to fruition, and driving growth in the LSV market for a number of years. – Marc Cesare

Tiger Truck Lands $11M Air Force Contract

Tiger Truck Vehicle line

Tiger Truck of Oklahoma recently won an $11 million GSA contract to supply the US Air Force with 863 mini-trucks.  The purchase is funded by the recent federal stimulus package since the mini-trucks will be replacing less fuel-efficient vehicles.  All the vehicles will be fueled by either gas or a gas/ethanol mix and are slated for delivery in about four months.  The recently opened Tiger Truck assembly plant employs 90 people and can produce approximately 35 vehicles per shift per day.  The company assembles the vehicles from a mix of US and foreign sourced parts.  Learn more:  www.newsok.com

Air Force Base Takes Delivery of Mini-Trucks

Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan took delivery of 49 mini-trucks from California-based Mag International. The delivery is part of a $7 million contract that Mag International was awarded in February, 2008. The vehicles will replace standard-size utility vehicles and is part of an overall goal of the Pacific Air Forces to replace 50 percent of their general purpose fleet with LSVs. This is expected to happen by fiscal year 2010. The vehicles are replacing panel vans and pickups. The Air Force estimates that the gas powered mini-trucks with a top speed of 25 mph will save about $200 per vehicle. More….

Army NEV Purchase Update

Starting with 800 vehicles in fiscal year 2009 the Army expects to acquire 4,000 NEVs in the next three years for use at 44 installations. The vehicles will be leased through the General Services Administration(GSA) from US golf cart companies like E-Z Go. According to Paul Bollinger, U.S. Army Deputy Assistant Secretary, Privatization and Partnerships, the acquisition is expected to be only a start as he anticipates the Army eventually acquiring 10,000 vehicles. In addition, the Air Force and Navy have reportedly expressed interest in “piggybacking” on the Army program and Bollinger expects that they will have a need for 10,000 vehicles apiece themselves.

The vehicles are reportedly street legal and if this is the case, then they must meet the LSV regulations and this will mean a significant boost to the NEV/LSV market.

via Paul Bollinger – Defense News