It’s the night before the launch of the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show, and the scramble continues to get the new Tomberlin vehicles detailed and ready for the show. Expectations run high as they prepare to debut the 2019 model year, featuring their highly anticipated, first-ever lifted Tomberlin Emerge. And as if there wasn’t enough pressure, witnessing the scene is Jeremy Zoeck-Vilas, owner of Superior Carts and More in Allegan, MI. As a loyal dealer for years, Jeremy’s retail experience, operational expertise and market wisdom has been of tremendous value to the Tomberlin team, to the point he’s considered one of the family.
But wait. It’s midnight. And something is just . . . not . . . right.
6” Dual A-Arm Lifted Suspension, check. Power Steering, check. 4-Wheel Hydraulic Brakes, check. 23” All Terrain Tires w 14” Custom Black Wheels, check. SmartPark E-Brake, check. LSV Compliant, check. Custom Matte Black Painted Finish, check. Black Chrome Badging, check.
Only one problem. They haven’t settled on the name.
In walks Tre Turner, Tomberlin’s build team supervisor, who’s been working non-stop for days. As an Army veteran, one glance was all it took. “That’s simple! Call it the Ghosthawk.”
Fast forward 5 months later, and little did Tre or Tomberlin know the “Ghosthawk” would be the most talked about and in-demand E-merge model of the entire Tomberlin product offering. By looking at the cover photo of this issue, Tomberlin’s new lifted Ghosthawk can only be described as stunning. As one dealer stated after crawling out from under the vehicle at the show, “this is the most well thought out, best engineered, most robust lifted vehicle on the market.”
This comes as no surprise to Zoeck-Vilas, whose been along for the ride since that late night in January. Responding with a man-sized chuckle and as a matter of fact, “That’s how Tomberlin rolls!”
FAST, FRIENDLY & SIMPLE.
As many larger corporations continue to distance themselves further from their customer, Tomberlin’s leadership team and their relationship-oriented approach to running their business can be captured in three words – Fast, Friendly and Simple.
One of the many benefits of being the largest family owned, privately held electric vehicle company in the U.S. is that no other company can move from concept to commercialization in a matter of months. As Mike Tomberlin stated, “We’re proving every day the most important element in our success is being Fast. Fast to answer the phones, fast to fill a parts order, fast to resolve an issue and of course fast to market. Secondly, although product is key, people do business with people, so Friendly makes for a better day as we convey a deep-rooted respect for our dealers. And its’ embedded in our performance-based culture. Maybe the biggest challenge is to keep it Simple. Complexity wears people down, slows product development and restricts business. We clearly have some of the finest SOP’s in the business, yet they are our guide – not our master. Results rule.”
“The thing our dealership likes most about Tomberlin is our experience with the organization itself. The Tomberlin staff is both proactive and responsive. Most of our suppliers do a good job responding when we have an issue, but not many of our suppliers care enough about our business and our customers to be proactive. The staff at Tomberlin is amazing, with incredible leadership from the top down!” added Zoeck-Vilas.
THE TOMBERLIN 2019 MODEL YEAR – NOW RETAILING AT A DEALER NEAR YOU!
In early May Tomberlin launched their 2019 model year lineup. As the first in the market to do so, Tomberlin dealers enjoyed another strategic advantage over their competitors who are still marketing “last years” 2018 models.
Across the board, the 2019 line-up of Tomberlin Emerge models continues to define and support Tomberlin’s brand promise of leading the market in Safety, Performance and Styling. As one example, in response to the overwhelming market acceptance of their new and exclusive Electric Power Steering feature first launched at the above-mentioned PGA show, Tomberlin now offers EPS on all of their Emerge LE and SS models. Furthermore, when considering the long list of other model year enhancements as listed below, no wonder many dealers rank Tomberlin as Best-In-Class in the golf car and LSV industry.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2019 MODEL YEAR INCLUDE:
- Proprietary Electric Power Steering Now Standard on the LE and SS models
- New Full Line of 5 Lifted E-Merge Models
- New 2 & 4 Passenger E-Merge LE Plus Models
- Steel-Belted Radial Tires on All LE & SS Models
- New, Affordable E-Merge Revenge
- Enhanced E-Merge E2 SS Coupe and E4 SS Saloon
- New Fold-Down Rear-Facing Seat Package
- New Susan G. Komen and Mossy Oak Special Edition Models
“We believe Tomberlin is the best product on the market, hands down. Our customers love them too. In fact, we have sold more than 70 units in the last year.”
– Ethan McGinnis, South Jersey Electric Vehicles, New Jersey
In addition to launching over a dozen new models and continuing to take the lead in innovation with market first features like electric power steering, over the last two years Tomberlin has also been building a great team, to include dedicated and industry experienced leaders in all operational and support functions across the company. In just the last 18 months they have doubled their operations center in Leesburg, FL, integrated their manufacturing and assembly processes into their corporate campus in Wisconsin, built their parts inventories to unprecedented levels, and staffed a Client Care department that provides each Dealer a dedicated client care specialist who answers their phone, and takes action.
Their sales and marketing group is led by a team of industry veterans who know the market, know the customer, and enjoy what they do. As noted by Doug Ballenger, Tomberlin’s eastern dealer development manager, “I’ve been in the golf car business for quite a while, and it’s invigorating to work with a team of dedicated associates who’ve embraced an entrepreneurial spirit that allows us to make decisions, take action, and do whatever it takes to satisfy our customers. This alone may be the biggest difference between us and other manufacturers, and I can assure you our Dealers know and feel the difference.”
THE INDUSTRY STANDARD IN SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND STYLING!
Since their initial launch in 2006, all Tomberlin Emerge units were purpose-built to meet and exceed the unique safety, performance and styling requirements for on-road applications. Tomberlin does not build fleet golf cars, nor will they, which allows them to focus all of their energy and resources on developing their value proposition aimed directly at pure electric vehicles for the consumer market. Therefore, what Tomberlin considers standard equipment is often costly optional equipment on other manufacturers products.
“Our customers that desire style, performance, and superb fit and finish are drawn towards the Tomberlin vehicle. They also find the over-engineered super structure and 4-wheel braking system impressive as well.”
– Jon Waldrop, Electric Cart Company, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
LEADeRS IN SAFETY.
Tomberlin is committed to providing leading safety features with a core belief that safety drives quality, integrity, supplier standards, designs, features and channel partners. All 2019 LE and SS models feature these standard safety features, and more:
- LSV Compliant
- 3-Point Seat Belts for All Passengers
- 4-Wheel Hydraulic Brakes
- Smart Park Electric Parking Brake
- Steel Belted Radial Tires
- High and Low Beam LED Headlights
- Personal, Unique Key Set
- Frame-mounted Tubular Steel Canopy Supports
“Consumers purchase Tomberlin products in our showroom because of the long list of standard features that other manufacturers charge extra for. One feature that really has made a large impact on our customers decision to purchase a new Tomberlin is the power steering. Our customers can’t believe the automotive style ride and feel of driving a Tomberlin. The unique and attractive styling of the cart is also a factor. When you see one coming down the road, you know right away it’s a Tomberlin.”
– Jeremy Zoeck-Vilas, Superior Carts & More, Allegan, MI
LEADERS IN PERFORMANCE.
This promise drives an acute awareness that the product must deliver a driver experience that is positive and remembered. We believe our products must be purpose engineered for a specific use, best accomplished through practical experience with passionate associates and consumers. All 2019 LE and SS Models feature these standard Performance features, and more:
- Industry First Electric Power Steering
- 5kw, 17hp AC Drive Regenerative Braking Motor
- 450a Sevcon AC Controller
- 1050-watt On-Board Smart Charger
- 48v Power System w (8) 6v Batteries
LEADERS IN STYLING.
Styling is often the foremost ingredient in building brand recognition and differentiation. Tomberlin’s Emerge styling is distinctive, recognizable, and increasingly important to our target customers. Styling reflects a purposeful intent to stand apart. All 2019 LE & SS Models now feature these standard Styling features, and more:
- Steel Belted Radial Tires and Custom Aluminum Wheels
- Custom Upholstered Seats
- Automotive Painted Body with a Color Matched Canopy
- Proprietary Emerge Body Styling
- Optional Matching Rear Facing Fold Down Seats
THE 2019 TOMBERLIN DEALER PROGRAM – TIME TO RAISE YOUR GAME!
According to Chris Plummer, “these are exciting times at Tomberlin. Over the last year we’ve been humbled by the tremendous support of Dealers like Ethan, Jon and Jeremy. As we’ve begun to build our business we clearly realize we ask our dealers to borrow their reputation in the markets they serve, and we respect and cherish their willingness in allowing us to do so. One result is we’ve been able achieve our sales goals, double our Dealer base, and in the coming year we plan to add another 70-80 dealers in areas we’re lacking coverage, while continuing to provide our existing dealers market areas that help them grow their Tomberlin business exponentially.”
In Zoeck-Vilas’ three Michigan stores, “our Tomberlin sales have increased by at least 75% so far this year, the carts are getting noticed and customers are purchasing. We hope to double our Tomberlin sales this year over last year, and we expect to double them again next year”.
To support their growth expectations, Tomberlin is rolling out a new Dealer support program for their existing and new dealers, to include new promotional programs, sales person spiffs, creative point of sale merchandising tools and an aggressive social media platform that will assure their Dealers have potential customers coming into their stores well educated on the Tomberlin value proposition – and ready to buy.
When asked if he would recommend Tomberlin to other dealers, Jon Waldrop of Electric Cart Company in Santa Rosa Beach, FL was quick to respond. “Yes, Tomberlin gives dealers a high end customizable product that offers good margins, and an innovative staff that will always be on the cutting edge of the industry. Customer Service has been excellent, from the President’s office down to technical services.”
“There is a renewed vitality and excitement in the market for our products. Dealers are retailing our cars, often at a frenzied pace. In fact, I’ve been at a Dealers store watching our truck unload new deliveries, with consumers buying them before they are even unloaded. How cool is that! It’s rewarding to see potential dealers who’ve been sitting on the fence now taking us seriously. Let there be no doubt, we are back, and we’re ready to go!”
– Jeff Andrews, Florida dealer development manager
Never known to be short on words, Zoeck-Vilas offered one last suggestion. “We definitely recommend the Tomberlin line to other dealers. If another dealer asked, I would advise them to take on the Tomberlin line and jump in with both feet. The market for Tomberlin is expanding, the vehicles sell themselves, and the margins on the cars are great. Fast, friendly and simple is a perfect way to describe our relationship with their team.”
For more information on how Tombelin can help you raise your game, go to www.tomberlin.net, or call 844-363-7432 to talk with your local Tomberlin representative.
Founded in 1947, The Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd., headquartered in Baraboo, WI is a privately-held holding company consisting of subsidiaries with 22 facilities, and 24 marketing units around the world with over 2,400 associates. This includes The Columbia Vehicle Group (CVG), consisting of the Columbia brand of commercial and industrial electric vehicles, and the Tomberlin brand of consumer-oriented electric vehicles.
