Bombardier launches its innovative Neighborhood Electric Vehicle in Arizona; fun, low-speed electric vehicle ideal for planned communities.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 1996--Bombardier Tuesday launched a new era in local transportation with the unveiling of its Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) at Sun City West.

The Bombardier NEV is a stylish, low-speed electric vehicle designed to let active people make short trips to their favorite places in and around their communities. It will be distributed in Arizona initially.

Ideal for stops at the nearby supermarket, bank and neighborhood clubhouse, the Bombardier NEV travels up to 25 mph and has a range of about 30 miles. The NEV, when equipped with the Golf Option Package, meets most national golfcart standards and offers power train settings for fairways and roadways.

Bombardier Creates New Vehicle Category

The result of more than two years of research and market testing, this first NEV inaugurates a new vehicle category, combining the simplicity of a golf cart with the practicality of an automobile. Extensive testing with people from all across the Sun Belt has helped Bombardier design key features that make its NEV unique.

"The test vehicle we had was so much fun and so practical that we didn't want to give it back!" said Larry and Joan Thomas from Westbrook Village in Northwest Phoenix.

Some of the key features of the Bombardier NEV are its four-wheel independent suspension for a comfortable ride, quick acceleration: 0-20 mph in six seconds, and the large lockable trunk. The maintenance-free batteries are recyclable and can be recharged cost-efficiently overnight in a standard household AC outlet.

In addition, NEVs are equipped with automotive-like lighting, braking and steering systems, retractable seat belts and an accessories package.

NEVs Ideal for Residential Communities

"The need for a new and innovative mode of transportation has emerged in structured residential communities like Sun City West, where many of the facilities are a short drive away," said Marcel Boutin, vice president, Bombardier Motorized Consumer Product Group (MCPG), whose Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo are among the world's best-selling snowmobiles and personal watercraft, respectively.

"NEVs meet this demand in a whole new way by providing active adults with a vehicle that is affordable, comfortable and convenient. A NEV is a practical, fun way to get around."

Under Arizona law, NEVs can be driven by licensed, insured motorists on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less.

"We see this vehicle as more practical and efficient than a second car for many people who make daily trips of 10 miles or less," Boutin said. "A NEV is ideal for running errands, going to the golf course and visiting neighbors."

"There is tremendous potential for this type of vehicle in Arizona and other areas in the Sun Belt," said David Bentler, electric transportation project manager for Arizona Public Service (APS), the state's largest utility.

"Not only will NEVs offer convenience and practicality previously unavailable to consumers, but they will capitalize on Arizona's efforts to lead the nation in encouraging the use of alternative fuel vehicles by residents on a daily basis."

Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Electric Transportation

The suggested retail price of the Bombardier NEV is $6,699. With an ability to travel about 30 clean, silent miles, NEVs have batteries that can be recharged overnight for about one dollar. In compliance with federal and state regulations, spent batteries will be recycled as part of a state-of-the-art recycling program.

Bombardier Proud to Promote Its Product in Arizona

Bombardier will start marketing NEVs in Arizona, where it has received a great deal of support and encouragement from dealers, consumers, government officials and others, including APS and Del Webb communities.

The marketing campaign includes local television and print advertising and local and regional promotions. Bombardier will introduce its NEV in California and Florida in early 1997.

"We are thrilled to be participating in the launching of such an important new product," said Steve Pohle, owner of Golf Carts Ltd., located in Sun City, Ariz., and the first Bombardier NEV dealer. "We expect to have tremendous demand for these vehicles in this area."

Bombardier, an Innovator in Transportation

The Bombardier Motorized Consumer Products Group manufactures and markets a variety of recreational products including Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Sea-Doo jet boats and the Celebrity line of traditional boats. The Group recorded sales of CAN $1.6 billion for the fiscal year which ended Jan. 31, 1996.

Bombardier is a Canadian corporation engaged in design, development, manufacturing and marketing activities in the fields of transportation equipment, civil and military aerospace and motorized consumer products. The Montreal-based corporation operates plants in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, employing 40,000 people.

Bombardier's business volume totals CAN$7.1 billion and more than 85 percent of the corporation's revenues are made in markets outside Canada. -0-

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