Polaris Industries launches Breeze NEV, a golf cart that's proud to be a golf cart
Polaris Breeze NEV - Click to enlarge
As expected, Polaris Industries has just announced its first neighborhood electric vehicle. The new machine comes courtesy of the motorsports manufacturer's recently-created On-Road Division and will be available at select Polaris dealerships starting this September.
As far as the vehicle goes, the Polaris Breeze seems to be little more than a glorified golf cart, and we can't yet locate any specifications as to the vehicle's expected range or price. Polaris says the Breeze is intended for golfers and individuals living in master planned communities.
A dealer meeting is scheduled for this week, and it's possible we could see additional new products from the Minneapolis-based company in short order. Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries, said in a statement:
Our ability to leverage Polaris' rich history of designing and manufacturing industry leading products, combined with the creativity of our designers and engineers, is a hallmark of our company and a major component for our success. This vehicle is the latest innovation from Polaris and the first of what we expect will be a series of successful ventures into the on-road vehicle category over the coming years.[Source: Polaris]
PRESS RELEASE:
Polaris Industries Launches New Neighborhood Vehicle
First Adjacency Product in the On-Road Vehicle Division
MEDINA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the introduction of a low emission electric powered Neighborhood Vehicle, the Polaris Breeze™, which is the first new product to be launched by the recently announced On-Road Vehicle Division.
This unique, low emission vehicle combines industry leading functionality, with the fun and freedom that consumers have come to expect from Polaris and represents the Company's initial product entry into the electric vehicle market. The Polaris Breeze™ is designed for multiple consumer uses such as golfing, comfortably transporting up to four passengers, or easily carrying light cargo loads. The vehicle is targeted for consumers living in master planned communities, and will be available in limited quantities for test ride and purchase at Polaris Neighborhood Vehicle dealerships in select markets starting in September 2009.
"Innovation has always been a driving force behind the success of Polaris, and our new low emission Polaris Breeze is a perfect example of that ongoing tradition," said Scott Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries. "Our ability to leverage Polaris' rich history of designing and manufacturing industry leading products, combined with the creativity of our designers and engineers, is a hallmark of our company and a major component for our success. This vehicle is the latest innovation from Polaris and the first of what we expect will be a series of successful ventures into the on-road vehicle category over the coming years."
With its entirely electric operating system, the Polaris Breeze™ is a lower emission vehicle than comparable gas-powered offerings and is a fuel-saving alternative to automobiles for consumers making numerous short trips within their master planned community. The new Polaris Neighborhood Vehicle is fun to ride, and is an economically and environmentally responsible means of transportation.
"Polaris is constantly looking for new opportunities to deliver consumers innovative vehicles that make transportation easier, less expensive and more fun," said Mike Jonikas, Vice President of Polaris' On-Road Vehicle Division. "Developing the Polaris Breeze™ accomplishes all three of these objectives, and is the first step in an exciting new market opportunity for Polaris."
Over the past 55 years, Polaris has earned the reputation of manufacturing innovative and well-built products, and the Polaris Breeze™ is the latest in this long line of exceptional vehicles. The vehicle brings industry leading comfort and ride quality, and is engineered and designed by a company famous for creating top-in-class suspensions for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lorena Palin 1:06PM (7/20/2009)
so...it's a golf cart? Is this really news?
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Rich 1:41PM (7/20/2009)
Its the first of the electric lines... They have electric and/or hybrids planned for quite a bit of their line.
eb 8:32PM (7/20/2009)
How is this an NEV? there are no seat belts, windshield, mirrors, etc.
Polaris may be "planning" to introduce electric vehicles, but they have never done so before and are heavily invested in gas & diesel vehicles that have little emissions regulation and tons of noise pollution. They've also laid off 400+ this year from their factories.
Tim 1:53PM (7/20/2009)
FOUR! (where's that damn beer cart?)
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Rick 3:20PM (7/20/2009)
you mean "Fore!" (rather than four) - but aside from that - nice golf cart - lazy golfers seem to be a big market - just walk guys
Tim 4:24PM (7/20/2009)
Thanks Rick, but I was yelling to the beer cart ;)
Lorena Palin 3:06PM (7/20/2009)
but still, it's a golf cart. We have those. There nifty, but last time I checked people didn't ride H2's around the green. The fact that a new company is providing a vehicle to transport people around a golf course which is mowed by a gas mower, sprayed in pesticides, and has clients who usually get to said golf course in performance vehicles of some sort to me seams well...un-newsworthy.
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Joe 8:55PM (7/20/2009)
People don't ride H2's around the green?
Sure they do!
http://www.luxurycarts.com/cart_pages/h2_hummer_golf_cart_photo_page.htm
nrb 3:08PM (7/20/2009)
A few weeks ago, we went on vacation at what turned out to be a community fully of retired people. It was nice up there. Very quiet and around a lake. Most of the homes had golf carts that they used for bopping around the neighborhood. I don't see how this thing is any different.
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Lorena Palin 10:15PM (7/20/2009)
because they are old, and when they say "scooter" they don't mean a honda, vespa, or piagio, they mean an electric wheelchair.
And those H2 golf carts are kinda hilarious...I sort of want one, keep the electric drive train, register it as a NEV....ride it around and confuse the hell out of hippies ("it's a hummer...but it's electric...ahhhgggg!!!!!!!!!!!" *head explodes*)
Idea- people want big, honkin' SUVs, right? But they also want electric vehicles...why not have all golf carts...I mean NEVs, be models after ridiculously big off road vehicles?
Ernie 4:44PM (7/20/2009)
This isn't a glorified golf cart. This *is* a golf cart. With a different name.
I honestly don't see how they don't sell it as one. Because that's its only useful application.
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