Polaris Monterrey, Mexico Plant Praised by Analysts

Polaris management recently gave analysts that cover the company a tour of their Monterrey, Mexico facility that opened a little over a year ago.  Analyst came away with a positive review of the plant and its impact on the company’s performance.  The plant currently produces about 200 side-by-sides per day on two production lines with a third line likely to be added in the future.  Analysts report the plant has the lowest warranty costs in the company.

The plant was opened to more quickly supply southern US markets as well as international markets such as Brazil, India and China.  The plant has also helped Polaris execute on their objectives of shortening ordering times and reducing dealer inventory.  They have been ahead of their competition in these areas.  Learn more:  Powersportsbusiness.com

CT&T Eyes Hawaii For Assembly Plant

CT&T is working with the governor of Hawaii to build an electric vehicle assembly plant.  According to reports, Oahu is the general location mentioned in the memorandum of understanding signed with the governor.  CT&T reports looking at four potential sites in the area for a facility that will produce up to 10,000 low speed vehicles annually.  The company hopes to have the plant operating in two years.

Hawaii is considered favorable market for LSVs by some people for a number of reasons. The government is pro-green and pro electric vehicle, travel distances are short and the large tourist market would be ideal for rental fleets.  Learn more:  Hawaiinewsnow.com

Comment: Hawaii now joins Pennsylvania and North Carolina as potential locations for assembly plants.  To date none of these plans have come to fruition beyond the early planning stages.  The company was talking about Pennsylvania locations back in September 2009.  A plant with the capacity to produce 10,000 vehicles seems very high for the Hawaiian market and shipping them from Hawaii, at first glance, would appear to be an expensive way to supply other markets.  It remains to be seen if plans for any of these potential plant locations moves to the next stage.

Think Looking At Three States For Electric Vehicle Plant

Indiana, Michigan and Oregon have made Think’s final list of states for their electric vehicle plant.  The company is also in the early stages of applying for loans from the US government under what is believed to be the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program.

Indiana could be the front runner among the states since battery manufacturer Ener1, which is a battery supplier for Think and owns a 31% stake in the company, will be producing the batteries in Indiana.  Another Think battery supplier, A123 Systems, is located in Michigan.  The weight of the vehicle battery packs makes shipping distance and costs a significant issue when deciding plant location.  Learn more:  Earth2tech.com

REVA Exploring Upstate New York For Electric Vehicle Plant

Reports are that REVA is close to finalizing negotiations for a plant near Syracuse. The plant would employ about 100 workers to start and be used to produce the REVA NXR all electric vehicle. The NXR has a top speed of 65 mph, a range of 100 miles and can be charged in 90 minutes using the vehicle’s fast charge option and a Li-ion battery pack. A lead acid battery pack provides a 50 mph top speed and a 50 mile range. REVA has been producing the LSV G-Whiz, most prominently in the UK and India markets. Learn more: Autobloggreen.com