utvs
of Gator UTVs . Manufacturers including CF Moto , HiSun , American Landmaster , Kubota , Kioti and more serve power-equipment retailers with utility vehicles .
UTV manufacturers are offering an increasing number of vehicles at a range of price points and packages . As varied as these vehicles are , they seem to be moving in the same direction , and that is toward versatility for both work and play . Let ’ s look at some specific trends in the UTV arena today , trends that will interest your customers .
Can-Am UTVs , from the BRP family of products , come in a range from highperformance sport models to more functional vehicles like this Defender .
Electrification The power shift is not coming ; it ’ s already here . Electric UTVs are real and can offer advantages for your customers . While Polaris gained a lot of media attention when it introduced the Ranger Kinetic UTV in 2022 , the first production run was limited and interested shoppers nationwide continue to wait for units to hit dealerships . Meanwhile , both American Landmaster and Intimidator sell electric UTVs right now .
At its facility in Indiana , Landmaster produces UTVs covering a spectrum of price points , with a couple lithium-ion powered units joining a fleet of gas-powered UTVs . Intimidator , based in Arkansas and purchased by Toro in 2022 , makes mid-size and full-size UTVs and offers an electric model that runs on eight 6-volt sealed lead-acid batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries more commonly found in newer EVs . These 6-volt batteries are easy for vehicle owners to source and replace ( for around $ 200 each ), which can ’ t be said of lithium-ion power sources .
Also in the coming-soon category , the Volcon Stag is an electric recreation-focused UTV that could be available later this summer . The Volcon UTV will be powered by an “ electric propulsion system ” sourced through a partnership with General Motors . The Stag comes with a long list of high-end features , as well as a $ 40,000 MSRP .
As is true with the electric car and truck market , several manufacturers are hinting at future electric-vehicle introductions into the UTV industry . Can-Am , maker of the Can-Am Defender UTVs , recently introduced an electric touring-focused snowmobile , and has shown electric motorcycle concepts . Honda recently announced a corporate restructuring that puts an emphasis on EV design , though that focus could be directed at the much larger car and truck market .
Versa-Utility Each UTV manufacturer has a strength , a unique character , and a design position that can be seen in its products . That
22 OPE Business March 2023 www . OPEBusiness . com