For all intense purposes, 2023 is going to be a record-setting year in the Golf Car/LSV Industry based on an epic number of manufacturers never seen before in our industry. For many years, the main players were limited to the likes of Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha, followed shortly thereafter by now well-established companies such as Tomberlin, Star EV, Evolution EV and Advanced EV, just to name a few. In the last 5 years or so, more manufacturers have joined the fray such as ICON EV, PilotCar, Bintelli, Aetric, Vivid EV,
Vantage Tag Systems & Kandi America. And more recently in the last couple of years, the market is once again exploding with newcomers such as Atlas Carts, VCarts, MadJax, Iron Bull Carts, Voyager Electric Vehicles and too many others to list in this paragraph. The common denominator is simple – there is room for competition based on the exponential growth in the Golf Car/LSV industry. How much more this will or can continue remains to be seen, but in the meantime, let’s look a little closer at some of these newcomers.
VCarts of Katy, Texas manufactures an all-electric fleet powered by lithium-ion batteries. These golf cars arrive fully loaded with no add-ons required, modern design features, independent suspension, street legal package, disc brakes and diamond-stitched seating. With multiple styles to choose from, VCarts has a fit for whatever your customers might be looking for in a street-legal golf car. Whether it’s the stylish VC Cruiser 4-Seater, the roomy VC Limo 6-Seater, the lighter weight ECO4 4-Seater or even a traditional 2-Seater Golf Car, VCarts has everything to meet the needs of your customers. The newest model in the VCarts production line is the ECO4 4-Seater model; it boasts a lighter weight design and a smaller price tag than the typical 4-Seater, while still sporting VCarts’ signature lithium-ion technology, resulting in a golf car that’s both fully loaded and more eco-friendly.
Atlas Carts of Liberty Hill, Texas recently launched the Atlas 2-Passenger and Atlas 4-Passenger vehicles with a lifted option and both models have significant safety features, such as four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, an electric parking brake, turn signals, taillights and running lights, low and high beam lighting, plus three-point seatbelts for all passengers. All Atlas vehicles feature an aluminum frame. The power source is a 210 Ah lithium battery providing industry-leading driving range. Both models include a 110-volt on-board charger. Standard technology and entertainment features include Bluetooth sound system, AM/FM radio, wireless phone charger, USB charging port, and hands-free calling. In addition, Atlas vehicles also feature a 40 Amp DC convertor, providing ample capacity to add aftermarket accessories.
The Atlas management team is headed by Co-CEOs Mark Messick and Sanjay Kopay, both with many years of experience with Club Car and E-Z-GO. Sanjay Kopay grew up in Augusta, GA and began his career in 1996 working for E-Z-GO Textron as a Supplier Quality team leader. Mark Messick started his career with E-Z-GO when he was a customer service representative and helped launch many industry-leading golf car accessories. Mark later went on to be the senior product manager at Club Car where he and Sanjay together developed and launched the Club Car Onward brand of vehicles. Rounding out the top management team is Jake Guinn, Vice President of Sales. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Jake began his career in the golf cart industry in 2007 at E-Z-GO where he worked with Mark and Sanjay, playing a pivotal role in the growth of the E-Z-GO Genuine Parts & Accessories department.
Bremark EV of Southern California has been involved in the Golf Car Industry and low-speed vehicles for over 25 years and engineers and designs one of the most economical, premium equipped entry-level LSVs in the marketplace.
Newly redesigned and engineered in Southern California, the all-new T-Sport GT by Bremark EV is a premium economic LSV street-legal vehicle. As one of the most affordable LSV/NEV Classified personal electric vehicles, the T-Sport GT offers a top speed of 25mph, and standard equipment is offered as optional upgrades on some others. The T-Sport comes standard with your choice of Lithium-Ion (no extra charge) or Lead Acid Battery System, Backup-Camera, On-Board Diagnostics with a 7-inch Monitor, LED Headlights, Front and Rear Turn Signals, LED Taillights, LED Third High-Mounted Brake Light, Two-Toned Interior, 14-inch Polished and Gloss Black Wheels, 6-Inch Lift Kit (optional), your choice of All-Terrain or Street Radial Tires and Adjustable Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Signals.
No longer only building just golf cars, Bremark EV has officially entered the street-legal LSV market with an LSV developed with passenger comfort and road safety in mind. The T-Sport is engineered with automotive-grade technology and safety features to provide passengers with a superior, safe, and comfortable ride. Utilizing the following component All-Aluminum Rigid I-Beam Chassis, Tough Brush Bar Front Bumper, 8.5-inch front disc-brakes, 7-Inch Rear Drum Brakes, Independent Front Suspension, Triple Leaf Rear Suspension, 3-point Seat Belts, Full-Size First and Second Row Seat Available. All new Bremark T-Sports come with a 5-Year Unlimited Powertrain Warranty and a Lifetime Chassis Warranty. The Bremark T-Sport offers a unique driving experience with superior, comfortable, attractive looks utilizing high-quality components.
Iron Bull Carts of Monroe, Wisconsin currently manufactures an all-electric fleet of 4-Seater and 6-Seater models with an available lifted option, designed with a premium look and practical features, utilizing Flooded Lead Acid batteries (lithium will be introduced in the near future). Every Iron Bull is built with a stylish cast fiberglass dashboard which includes 2-USB charging ports, LCD odometer, Bluetooth MP3 player & multiple cupholders. The seating is a very comfortable high density sponge material with premium leather and a comfy armrest, while the frames are made with a high-quality iron steel with galvanized anti-rust coating for lasting durability. And highly durable 23×10-14”, 6 ply off-road tires on Aluminum Alloy Rims are impressive looking – a perfect match for the Iron Bull Carts.
Iron Bull Carts was created after its owners, with more than 25 years of manufacturing and importing experience, were frustrated by product scarcity. At their own dealerships, they could not get enough golf carts and would have to turn away business daily, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue each year. Because of a proprietary supply chain management program, Iron Bull Carts can procure golf carts on a weekly basis to ensure dealers have the inventory they need so they do not miss out on sales. Iron Bull Carts does not sell direct to consumers like some of their competitors do. They sell to dealers which allows them to sell and service direct to the consumer.
Nivel Parts & Manufacturing of Jacksonville, Florida recently launched the MadJax XSeries Storm at the 2023 PGA Show. The MadJax XSeries Storm is a stylish and comfortable golf car loaded with premium parts and accessories. Available in 12 body colors, the MadJax XSeries Storm offers a wide variety of seating, tire & wheel options and allowing dealers and customers to personalize the golf cars to meet their unique style. The MadJax XSeries Storm also comes standard with a Reliance 5kW brushless AC motor, a 400A Reliance control system, a high-capacity voltage reducer, and a 4-wheel hydraulic disc braking system.
“Given Nivel and MadJax’s long history of being an industry leader in aftermarket golf cart parts and accessories, it was a natural evolution for us to begin offering a full golf cart solution,” says Brett Hankey, CEO of Nivel. “We are excited to offer consumers a stylish, comfortable golf cart loaded with our best parts & accessories. The MadJax XSeries Storm is the first of many exciting golf carts we are planning to launch over the next several years.”
United Smart EV of Johns Creek, Georgia introduced the Innovate LSV earlier this year at the PGA Show in Orlando, FL. Designed by world-class engineers at DY Innovate Corp of South Korea and distributed exclusively in America through United Smart EV, the Innovate LSV is truly one of a kind. Designed with driver comfort and enhanced performance in mind, this premium electric vehicle features a powerful SK Energy Lithium battery, is 5” wider than traditional golf cars, comfortably seats three people per row and features ultra-light independent MacPherson Strut suspension for a smooth and comfortable ride. The Innovate LSV is an eight-passenger golf car and is the best-selling golf car in South Korea with a 60 percent market share since debuting in 2015.
Voyager Electric Vehicles of Cleveland, TN may be a fairly new name in the golf car arena, but the minds and hands behind this brand are anything but amateurs in the game. With over a decade of experience in the golf car industry, the Voyager team saw needs and challenges they believed they could solve with their own electric vehicle. Their solution-minded efforts and quality-driven standards can be credited to over 15 years spent in the aerospace and aviation industries. It’s not just a catchy cliché for them – the Voyager is truly ‘rocket-scientist approved.’
To meet the needs of the wide variety of consumers, Voyager released three distinct trim packages. Their flagship golf car – the Pioneer – was intentionally designed with our current economy in mind. Owner and Director of Production Andy Ilg answers, “The flood of new brands into the golf cart industry was exciting – but the increasing price points left a huge gap for those customers looking for quality and choice features at a price that still made sense. Our Voyager Pioneer was meticulously designed and built to provide maintenance-free lithium power with other must-haves, for less than $10K. That was our goal, and we are very pleased with the feedback it’s been receiving in the market.”
Voyager’s other two models – the Explorer and Rebel – are also already blazing their own trails as well, with premium features including Gussi steering wheels, Bluetooth sound bars, reverse cameras, LED lighting and more. The Rebel is powered with a 72-Volt Allied Lithium Battery and a unique lifted body style, appealing to those customers who love a golf car adventure without limits.
Beyond the frames and the features, the Voyager team sought to solve perhaps the most common concern among dealers today – are the manufacturers able to provide real-time dealer support and supply parts as needed? “Providing reliable and courteous support to our dealer network is our top priority,” explains owner and Director of Operations Lucas Hathaway. “By listening to each dealer’s unique needs, our goal is to build long-term partnerships, so we all win.” To prove their confidence and dedication to their product, they include a Two-Year Parts & Labor Warranty on all Voyagers.
From the design, the performance, the power, and the protection, it’s clear the Voyager golf car is made to stay. Built in America, for Americans.
