Bad Boy Buggies Becomes NASCAR Sponsor

In 2011 Bad Boy Buggies will sponsor both NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams at Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI).  Elliott Sadler and Clint Bowyer will drive Bad Boy Buggies branded vehicles in five races.  Bad Boy Buggies was recently acquired by Textron and the sponsorship is a sign that management is moving quickly to take advantage of the resources and connections of their new parent. Previously, Textron’s E-Z-Go subsidiary has sponsored  KHI vehicles in the same NASCAR race series.  Learn more:  Speedwaymedia.com

Bad Boy Buggies Recall LSVs For Acceleration Problem

Bad Boy Enterprises recently announced they were recalling 370 of their 2009-2010 Classic LSVs because of an acceleration problem.  According to reports “…water getting onto the accelerator can cause a voltage surge that will cause the vehicle to accelerate without the pedal being pressed.”  The company has also told the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) that based on what they have seen in these LSVs a fix to an acceleration problem for a previous recall involving 3,900 vehicles will not solve  the problem in those vehicles.  The company is investigating what additional steps may be needed regarded those vehicles.  Learn more:  Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Oklahoma LSV Tax Credit Update

Yesterday a county judge in Oklahoma ruled in favor of vehicle purchasers, declaring that they could receive the state tax credit for the LSVs that they purchased.  The lawsuit was brought by Ada Electric Cars and H20 Sports Unlimited and other dealers joined as well including GKU Electric Vehicles LLC, Heartland Outdoors LLC, Pat’s Archery Inc., and Xtreme Cycle and ATV LLC.

The judge’s order states low-speed vehicles sold by manufacturers Tomberlin, Ruff & Tuff, Stealth, Fairplay and Bad Boy Buggie qualify for a state tax credit.  The order also includes, “any other low speed vehicles similarly equipped as those described above qualify for … ‘ the state tax credit. Specific models noted in the order include Tomberlin E-Merge E-2, Tomberlin E-Merge E-4, Tomberlin Anvil, Tomberlin E-Merge Classic, Ruff & Tuff NEV2, Ruff & Tuff NEV4, Ruff & Tuff Cruiser EV2, Ruff & Tuff Cruiser LX2, Ruff & Tuff Cruiser LX4, Ruff & Tuff Hunter 4×4, Stealth Patriot LSV, Stealth Patriot LSV 4 X 4, Fairplay EVE, Fairplay Goat and Bad Boy Buggie XT LSV.

The Oklahoma State Tax Commission responded to the announcement by stating that it would appeal the ruling.  The commission stated that the tax credits could cost the state more $40 million.  If this is true, at the high end an average tax credit of $8,000 per vehicle translates into 5,000 vehicles sold in the state and at the low end an average tax credit $4,000 per vehicle translates into 10,000 vehicles sold in the state. In either case the figures represent an enormous boost to the LSV market. – Marc Cesare

Learn more:  Enidnews.com Stilwater-newspress.com

Enidnews.com

Electric Utility Vehicles Showing Strong Growth

Despite the economic downturn the market for off-road electric utility vehicles, especially for hunters, is experiencing strong growth.  A recent story about Stealth Manufacturing reports that in 2008 the company sold 600 vehicles, five times the sales management expected.  Demand has continued to be strong in 2009 with management reporting that their

..entire production is sold out through Dec. 31.  We’ve outrun virtually every supplier we have.

Part of the growth of the Louisiana based company is attributed to their television sponsorship program with Primos Hunting Products. Stealth produces the Predator XR, Apache XR and the “Izzy” an industrial vehicle.  They are also planning to launch the Patriot LSV which went into production last week.  The company employs 38 people in a 82,000 square foot facility and is looking to expand their distribution beyond the current 70 dealers and distributors in 28 states. On the horizon is a new vehicle about which the CEO Bill Krutzer states

It’s probably going to change the complexion of the electric vehicle industry, and we’re testing it right now.  It’s a completely different electrical platform. We’re going to bring some pretty sophisticated technology to the game, and we’re not going to do anything but improve the price.

Learn more:  Thenewstar.com

Stealth Manufacturing is not the only electric utility vehicle manufacturer with a positive outlook.  The leader in the electric utility vehicle market for hunters,  Bad Boy Buggies, is expected to reach sales of $17 million this year, up from 2008, but down from a peak in 2007 of $20 million.  Despite a recent recall of their standard model the company is reports that their new XT model has been well received. They are also launching an LSV model and have had success selling their utility vehicles outside the hunting market.  A key marketing effort for them is teaming up with Bass Pro Shops which is running a test campaign in five markets.

Learn more:  Natchezdemocrat.com

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with Eric Burns of Bad Boy Buggies. He talked about some of their improvements in their new XT model which at the time had a waiting list of customers.  The improvements include:

• An independent suspension for better performance and comfort in extreme conditions and/or extended operating times
• Better turning radius
• Re-routing of electrical cables to protect them from the elements
• Improved distribution of battery weight that impacts performance on  steep climbs
• General improvements to the construction and design of the vehicle

Some of the non-hunting markets they are looking for gains in include agriculture such as dairy farms, government fleets and construction.  Burns noted that in some of these environments the electric utility vehicle allows an operator to more easily hear other vehicles in the work area, use walkie talkies or other communication devices without turning off the engine and avoid the necessity of storing fuel on site.  Key obstacles for electric utility buyers are battery replacement costs and the range of the vehicle, which in many instances may be a perceived issue rather than actual. Bad Boy Buggies is looking to expand their distribution network in the Western US from their current strongholds in the South, Southwest and Midwest, usually centered around hunting communities.

Additional signs of strength in the electric utility vehicle market include the recent entry of Polaris, the utility vehicle market leader, and Tomberlin’s plans to launch their electric utility vehicle, the Vanish.

On a related note, the fact that both Stealth and Bad Boy Buggies are coming out with LSV versions indicates an interesting sub-segment is developing in the LSV market.  Rather than vehicles that are primarily or exclusively used on-road, another segment of users that need a mix of off-road/rough terrain capabilities and public road access is emerging.  Burns of Bad Boy Buggies noted military bases, farms and college campuses as potential buyers of these street legal UTVs. – Marc Cesare

Bad Boy Buggies Recall

Bad Boy Buggie Standard Model Being Recalled

Yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Bad Boy Enterprises, announced a voluntary recall of the company’s Bad Boy Buggie Standard model. The company has received 32 reports of the vehicles accelerating without warning, which in some cases resulted in injuries. The recall affects models with serial numbers between 85004828 and 95010404. The serial number is located on a sticker in a cubby on the driver’s side. the vehicles were sold between June, 2007 and July, 2009. Consumers should immediately stop using the vehicles and contact their Bad Boy Buggy dealer for a free repair. For additional information, contact Bad Boy Enterprises toll-free at (866) 678-6701 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their website. Learn more: CPSC.gov

Update: Originally the company tried a software patch to fix what they thought was the problem.  While this did reduce instances of the problem, the did not completely solve it.  The company will now be installing a zener diode chip into vehicles as a remedy.  the process should take less than an hour ,and even if you already have the software patch you should still have the new chip installed. Learn more:  Natchezdemocrat.com

Bad Boy Buggies Looking To Import More Parts From China?

A recent article covering a trade forum involving the state of Mississippi and the city of Changzhou in China noted that a Mississippi based company was looking to import parts for use in off-road utility vehicles.  According to the report Bob Kirkland business development officer for Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems remarked that:

… a Mississippi company, which he wouldn’t identify, is interested in assembling parts that would be sent to it from China to be used in off-road utility vehicles.

One such company could be Bad Boy Enterprises located in Natchez, Mississippi, manufacturers of the Bad Boy Buggie, an electric powered off-road utility vehicle.  Government officials from both sides are looking at the automotive industry as a potential area for increased trade.  Learn more:  clarionLedger.com