Two months after Columbia ParCar Corp. of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, announced it landed a 799 vehicle order from the General Services Administration; the company was awarded an additional order for 192 of the same model of vehicles from the U.S. Government. “The order for 799 vehicles was the single largest order ever for electric-powered, Low Speed Vehicles,” Todd Sauey, Columbia’s President said. “To obtain the award for 192 more vehicles so quickly, is confirmation that Columbia is providing vehicles that fit well into the U.S. Government’s objectives.”
Shipments for the first order of all-electric vehicles have already begun and are destined to 47 separate U.S. Army installations throughout the United States. The most recent order for 192 vehicles is planned to be installed at various locations that include U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine installations as well as certain FAA installations, Kennedy Space Center and numerous National Parks throughout the United States.
Columbia has been selling vehicles to various government agencies for years. However, these two orders alone represent more sales of Low Speed Vehicles to the government than the total volume reported through the General Service Administration from all suppliers, in the 21 month period ending September 30, 2009. Columbia is planning to have all of the nearly 1000 vehicles delivered in accordance with the Government’s requirements by March of 2010.
The Low Speed Vehicles, sometimes referred to as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, purchased first, are a part of the Army’s far-reaching energy security strategy. It’s designed to save energy and money, to wean the Army from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the U.S. Army, the 799 vehicles are part of a three-year plan to replace 4,000 non-tactical, gasoline-powered vehicles used for passenger transport, security patrol, delivery services and maintenance purposes.
According to Scott Breckley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “Both of the two major orders include Columbia’s four-passenger model used primarily for the movement of personnel and the our utility model capable of transporting two passengers as well as a variety of cargo.” The street-legal models purchased are two of the more than fifty different electric vehicle models manufactured by Columbia at their Reedsburg operation.
Columbia officials shared information from a January news release in which the U.S. Army reported estimated annual energy savings of $740 for each electric vehicle used in place of a gasoline-powered car. “Saving more than $500,000 each year by deploying only 799 vehicles in a fleet of more than 70,000 is a strong driver for any organization. It also is a great example of how these vehicles are not only good for the environment and our nation’s energy policy, but good for the economy as well.” Breckley added.
About Columbia ParCar Corp.:
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a Wisconsin based manufacturer of PURE ELECTRIC powered Low Speed Vehicles (NEV's) as well as utility, industrial, commercial and passenger vehicles that are distributed through an international network of independent dealers. For pricing information or the location of your nearest Columbia dealer, contact Columbia ParCar Corp., 1115 Commercial Ave., Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA by calling (800) 222-4653 or visit their website atwww.parcar.com.
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a Nordic Group company. The Nordic Group (headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin) consists of 18 service and manufacturing facilities and 26 marketing units around the world. The Nordic Group is privately (family) owned with over 2,000 associates. The Nordic Group manufactures and distributes plastic and transportation products worldwide for industrial, commercial and consumer markets. For more information or catalog, write The Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd. 414 Broadway, Baraboo, WI 53913 USA, visit www.nordicgroup.com, fax: 608-356- 5773 or e-mail: info@nordicgroup.com.