January 24, 2004

By: Wayne Guest
Website: http://www.1st-in-golf.com

REserve program offers customers lower prices, quality assurance

The next best thing to a new Club Car is a previously owned Club Car that still carries not only the company’s name, but also its reputation for quality and commitment to service.

Club Car enters the pre-owned golf car market this year with its REserve vehicle program, which will take Club Car golf cars coming off lease, send them through a rigorous refurbishing process and sell or lease them at substantially less than new fleet cars. “There is a significant amount of demand in the market today for a lower-priced golf car that still offers the assurance of the Club Car brand,” said Brian Crawford, vice president of sales, Aftermarket. “This program helps us address that market with a consistently high-quality product offering that gives our customers great value.” The vehicles coming into the program this year will be primarily pre-owned electric golf cars. Vehicles will either go to Club Car’s main plant here or to its custom manufacturing facility at Indio, Calif., to enter an extensive refurbishing process. The process includes a thorough mechanical inspection of the chassis, suspension, steering, electrical and brake systems to make sure the vehicle is performing to original factory specifications. The body (front and rear), bumpers, scuff guards, bag well protector and access panel will be replaced. In addition, seats, tires, canopy top, batteries and battery chargers will be tested to make sure they are in good condition and free from damage or defects. Cars purchased through the REserve program will be supported by a limited factory warranty.

Historically, golf cars coming off lease have been re-sold by distributors and dealers to secondary courses and individuals. But today’s slowing economy has heightened the need for lower cost, high-value products and made pre-owned cars more attractive to a wider segment of the market. “This is an opportunity for Club Car to provide a solution to our customers that offers a lower price alternative to new product while maintaining the quality image the industry has come to expect from us in the market,” Crawford said. Club Car, Inc. provides fleet, turf, hospitality and financing solutions for golf, agricultural, recreational and industrial markets. Based in Augusta, GA, Club Car is part of worldwide Ingersoll-Rand. In addition to Club Car, IR’s diverse product portfolio includes such leading industrial brands as Schlage locks and security systems, Thermo King transport temperature control equipment, Hussmann commercial and retail refrigeration equipment, Bobcat compact equipment, PowerWorks microturbines and Kryptonite locks.

Also see: golf carts for sale.

Author Notes:

Wayne Guest contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-golf.com.  A source of information on golf equipment, golf manufacturers, supplies, tips and more.