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4th Annual Golf Cart Review (Part 2)
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Max Car In a recent conversation with Jim Lester, VP and Division Manager for Maxer Corporation, he confirmed that the Maxcar is indeed the Hyundai spinoff. Lester said that several of the features of the older Hyundai will be used in the Maxcar design but there are many changes and more to come. Maxer Corp currently offers only a 36 volt 'regen' electric car. The MaxGen adjustable 'regen' controller and motor is made by the Youngsoo Mulsan Co, of Korea, the parent company. There will be a lower speed controller for fleet sales and a higher speed (16.5 mph) controller for privately owned golf cars. The golf car will come equippped with a Lestronic II, 25 amp charger. The differential is manufactured by the DANA Corp of the USA. Several other domestic golf car companies employ a similar DANA rear end. The brake systems will be by Nissan. The car will be manufactured in Ulsan, Korea and imported to the US. They currently have warehouses in California and Illinois. Maxer Corp plans to bring a gasoline powered car to market soon. Lester said the 'factory' tops will be manufactured by West Hills Industries of Colorado.
Hyundai Golf Car Co first came into the marketplace in 1991 and they stopped production in 1995. Hyundai offered a gasoline and a 36 volt electric car. Mr. Lester indicated that Hyundai repair parts should be around through 2001.
Yamaha In addition to Yamaha's year 2000 theme of "Better Parts - Better Golf Cars", Yamaha made several minor but significant changes to their cars. Here they are: Re-designed 4 Cup ConsoleYamaha's new 4 cup holder is a FIRST in the industry. Instead of having four holders of the same size, there are now two larger diameter and two regular sized holders. The larger holders are for today's big bottles and big cups. New Rear BumperIn 1995 Yamaha introduced the 'Air Cushioned' rear bumper to better protect the car. A problem occured, however, when a bumper contacted the side of another car and 'rode up' over the side rail protector which could scratch the paint. So Yamaha increased the height and width of the bumper to solve this problem and give added protection. Charger Receptacle Safety Cutoff SwitchAs dumb as this sounds, some people drive away while the charger is still plugged in. Good for charger manufacturers, bad for owners! This Cutoff Switch, which is located in the charger receptacle of the car, disables the electric system when the charger is plugged in. Front Top Support Re-designedThe front single piece top support has a new mounting system that gives greater strength and allows quicker installation. New Sculpted Seat BottomThe virgin foam in Yamaha's seat cushion has been slightly hollowed out under each passenger to lower them - a tad - and give the greater comfort of form fitting. Click on the 'Larger Picture' below to see this new seat.
 The ConciergeYamaha unveiled the 'Concierge' multi passenger vehicle. All passengers face forward. The vehicle has a 10hp 301cc overhead valve 4 stroke reduced noise engine. Wider seats offer passengers extra comfort. The vehicle measures out at 10ft 8" long by just under 4 ft wide.
 Yamaha G-11The Yamaha G-11 is a small utility truck with a .5 cubic yard aluminum cargo box. The box is a manual tilt/dump that can carry 500 lbs and measures 48.5" X 48.5" X 10" deep. The vehicle has a 10 hp, 301cc, overhead valve, 4 stroke, single cylinder engine maufactured by Yamaha. The G-11 is 10 ft long and can carry a total of 1000 lbs, including driver and passenger. It can also accept a stainless steel Beverage Center that meets National Sanitation Foundation standards.
 Yamaha G-16 & G-19 Golf CarsThe Yamaha G-16 comes in a 10 hp 301cc Gas Model or a 36Volt Electric Model. The electric model is a NON-ReGen system for those who prefer a free wheeling electric car. The G-19 is only available with a 48 Volt ReGen Electrical Controller. The ReGen system was developed in conjunction with General Electric. The solid state controller and motor combine to provide a 'peppy' uphill climb and a safe pre-determined downhill speed. The ReGen system also includes a 2 mph roll away protection. The body is formed from and unbreakable thermo-plastic olefin finished with a baken-on two part, hi gloss, automotive polyurethane. Special air cushion, 5 mph bumpers and heavy metal side rails protect the car from all directions. Standard colors include Beige, Red, Teal, Ivory and Hunter Green.
Neighborhood Electrice VehiclesBombardier Bails Out!At the August Dealer's Meeting in Florida, Bombardier surprised their dealers with the announcement that production was suspended and there would be no new vehicles for the Fall market.
 Some dealers had established dedicated Bombardier Show Rooms and repair facilities and had pre-sold product for the Winter season. Dealers left 'dangling' joined together and filed legal action.
We have learned that John Deere visited their Canadian facility but declined to enter the NEV market.
Bombardier's reported problem was that they expected to sell 100,000 vehicles the first year. From reliable sources we've learned they only sold 600 in three years. Bombardier could re-instate production and protect their 60 million dollar investment in this project. We have tested the Bombardier in our local market and consider it a fine vehicle. It needs some refinements and re-engineering but the basic concept is sound.
Ford's Think Neighbor NEVFord thinks NEV's (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) are the coming thing. Enough so that they bought controlling interest in Norway's PIVCO and the Th!ink Electric Vehicles, the Think Neighbor and the Think City. They will start delivery in the US in the 4th quarter of this year.
John Wallace, CEO of Think says by the end of this year they'll have production up to about 150 cars per month. They have not finalized a distribution structure yet but you can order one today on their website, ThinkMobility.com
 Wallace says the Think Neighbor is designed as a road vehicle with automotive brakes, steering, suspension, 3 point safety belts, automotive lights and turn signals. There will be a Golf version with a back rack and 'golf mode' in driving to reduce speed. It will most likely retail about $8000. But Wallace is quick to point out that, "There is a big difference between a Golf Car and a Road Vehicle (Think Neighbor)."
When asked about GEM and Bombardier, Wallace said Bombardier tried to make a small car and Ford's customers haven't said they want a miniaturized car. He continued that GEM on the other hand didn't try to make a small car. They built something to 'carry people in'.
The Think City needs to be demonstrated in the American market to get people familiar with the concept. Wallace says they'll bring it to America in 2001.
Most folks associated with NEV's agree that there is a heap of work to be done in road infrastructure and traffic laws across the US to prepare for this new revolution.
GEM Gets Zapped!Well, not really! On Dec 7, 1999 ZAP Electrical Bicyle Company acquire Global Electric MotorCar, GEM. ZAP is also a large manufacturer of electric motor scooters. ZAP reportedly means, 'Zero Air Pollution'.
 GEM gets 4.3 million shares of ZAPWORLD.COM (ZAP) which is about 40% of ZAP's stock. Spokesman Daniel Melgar said, "This is a win-win! It allows GEM to become public quickly and gain quick access to capital markets to help fuel its growth needs; for ZAP sharholders it will make the combined company clearly the leader in low-speed, on-road electric transportation.
GEM is projecting Sales for 1999 at $13.8 million. ZAP projects sales over $6 million. GEM manufacturing will remain in Fargo, ND.
UPDATE REVISION:The article above was written shortly after the PGA Show, January 2000. Since that time things have changed. To begin with, the imminent deal for ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) to buy GEM fell through and did not happen. But Dailmer Chrysler Corporation did purchase GEM. We have received e-mail's that say the GEM production is now about 50 to 60 per day.
Single Rider Golf CarsSingle rider golf cars, born primarily because of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, first appeared at golf shows a few years back. They were 'interesting' but not much happened for a couple of years but that is all changing now. In our opinion the SoloRider is leading the pack. We'll describe some of the features of this single rider golf car and then we'll talk about why you'll be seeing and hearing a LOT more about them.
 The SoloRider is a unique electric car because the drive train, designed by Gates Rubber Co, is a highly efficient belt driven system using gears and belts but no lubricants whatsoever. In addition the drive power goes to the wheel that has traction if the other one slips. Its very low center of gravity makes it extremely stable in all terrains. Despite our best efforts we could not even get the car to go up on two wheels. It easily climbs a 6" curb. Although a little smaller than a full sized car it has a very positive feel. It measures 83" long, 40" wide and 44" tall, tipping the scales at 680 lbs. Another surprising achievement is that the footprint of the tires is 5psi, LESS than an average golfer standing on two feet. A disabled golfer can drive this vehicle right onto the green with a 'lighter than a person' footprint and no lubricants to drip on the green.
Here are some more statistics about this remarkable machine. The SoloRider has three 12 volt, 85 amp/hr, deep cycle batteries - enough to power the car for 54 holes. The regenerative solid state motor & controller is made by GE and the top speed is about 14 mph, the same as a regular golf car. It has regular sized golf car tires and wheels on a 4 wheel independent suspension, greatly adding to the stability and light footprint.
Creature comforts include a well padded seat that swivels to any 360 degree position by lifting a brake lever on either side of the seat. When locked the seat is secured to take an aggressive swing at the ball. Hand controls on the tiller steering bar provide both acceleration and braking. The brakes are hydraulically operated. The SoloRider retails for about $6500 BUT a Federal investment tax credit of 50% of the cost changes the picture dramatically. Some State credits may also apply to make the overall cost extremely attractive.
Why will we be seeing more of the single rider golf cars? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that ALL public places must have 'disability' access. That includes public golf courses. Yeah yeah, ADA's been around for a while and 'nobody' seemed to be enforcing the law. Well, that's changed. SoloRider President, Roger Pretekin, told us of a reported 13 law suits in the State of Michigan filed against public golf courses because they are not complying with the law. Roger tells us that the State of New York will buy these cars for ALL of their public courses. Privately owned public golf courses are talking with SoloRider and other single rider golf car companies, planning to purchase them and stay ahead of the law suit process. Do you think other State governments and private courses will follow? Better believe it!
SoloRider is now making about 7 cars per day at their Englewood Colorado facility. Pretekin says that they are working on two new additions to their car. One is a 'tilt-away' sun canopy for more driver comfort and the other a tilt-capable seat. The canopy will tilt back and out of the way when the golfer is ready to swing. The new seat will tilt up allowing the golfer a semi-standing position for a better club swing. Then everything can easily return to normal position for driving.
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