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13Mar

Business, Financing, Growth, Uncategorized

LSVDA Newsletter March 2026

Driving Forward. –  Keeping the LSV World Moving

Low Speed Vehicle Dealer Association (LSVDA) Newsletter

Executive Director’s Message

Market Signals. Dealer Opportunity.

Fellow LSVDA Members,

As we move into the spring selling season, the signals across the golf car, utility vehicle and low-speed vehicle market remain encouraging. Dealer sentiment is stable, community adoption continues to expand, and the industry is becoming more professional and coordinated. Those trends reinforce why LSVDA exists: to help dealers stay informed, operate more effectively, and grow responsibly as the market evolves.

This issue highlights several developments shaping the months ahead. We provide updates on federal and state policy discussions, including our ongoing engagement with regulators and state leaders on safety and dealer-related legislation. You will also find insights on local ordinance trends that may expand roadway access in certain markets while clarifying compliance expectations in others.

From a business perspective, contributors this month explore dealer profitability, pre-owned market dynamics, and the role of peer groups in strengthening operational performance. We also share results from our dealer sentiment polling, offering a snapshot of how dealerships are viewing demand, pricing, and market stability heading into the next six months. And, we have a new survey you can participate in to help us report on State of the Industry Insights and Trends.

You’ll also see continued momentum inside the association. New dealer members are joining across the country, additional sponsors are stepping forward to support education, policy and market growth, and our programming calendar continues to expand with webinars and industry insights designed specifically for professional dealers.

Thank you for the leadership you provide in your communities and the trust you place in LSVDA.

Driving Forward., Mike

Public Policy & Safety

Overview

Federal activity remained quiet, while States and local jurisdictions continue refining roadway access and compliance standards that directly impact dealers.
Local ordinance activity shows a clear trend toward structured regulation, clarifying routes, registration, and equipment standards, shaping both compliance and growth. No new recalls were issued this month.
LSVDA helps you stay ahead of policy and safety actions that can impact our member’s business. Silver+ Members and Sponsors: watch for our exclusive white papers, webinars and legislative briefings.

Policy & Safety Update – Federal and State Activity

State legislative activity related to golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs) continues to increase as communities respond to growing on-road use. In Florida, LSVDA met with Representative Fiona McFarland regarding proposed Section 319.1401 of HB 543 and SB 1274 addressing golf cart conversions to LSVs. Updated language in HB 543 improves safety considerations and better reflects the role of licensed dealers.

LSVDA also supported dealers in Connecticut by providing federal safety framework data and roadway-use guidance to CT Custom Carts as they engage state officials on appropriate LSV operating rules.

LSVDA leaders also met with NHTSA to discuss the federal safety framework and enforcement priorities.

Detailed updates will be shared with Silver+ dealer members and sponsors in a Webinar on March 25 at 2:00 pm EST. If you didn’t receive an invite Join LSVDA or send an email to membership@lsvda.com.

Local Ordinance Activity — Market Access Trends

Local governments across the U.S. continue reviewing golf cart and Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) ordinances as communities look for practical, neighborhood-scale mobility options. Activity remains concentrated in coastal and Sunbelt regions where short local trips, tourism, and residential development are driving demand for alternative transportation.

Recent discussions and proposals in Florida communities including Sarasota County, Naples, and several Panhandle towns, as well as coastal areas of South Carolina and Texas resort communities, are evaluating expanded roadway access, updated safety requirements, and clearer operating rules for golf carts and LSVs.

In San Diego, California, city leaders recently advanced a comprehensive speed-management plan lowering limits on certain corridors, including reductions from 25 mph to 20 mph in business districts. Policies like this matter because LSVs are typically permitted on roads posted 35 mph or less, meaning lower municipal speed limits can expand the number of streets compatible with LSV use.

While restrictive ordinances can slow adoption, well-structured policies can significantly expand safe local mobility options and support responsible market growth.

Call to action: LSVDA subscribing dealers who see a unique opportunity to grow their local market through ordinance updates or roadway access should contact LSVDA so we can help evaluate and support the opportunity.

Safety Snapshot

Recent reporting continues to highlight safety risks tied to rollover events, passenger ejection, underage operation, and mixed-traffic roadway exposure. Over the past 30 days, media coverage included a child seriously injured in a rollover crash in Midway, Florida after an underage driver reportedly lost control on a curve, and a child hospitalized in Hobe Sound, Florida after falling from a moving golf cart. Earlier cases involving DUI or roadway intersections continue to reinforce similar themes.

Across the incidents reviewed, the pattern remains largely tied to operating environment, passenger retention, and roadway interaction, rather than a product-defect trend. A screening of current federal recall reporting did not identify a notable new golf-cart-specific recall during this period.

Dealers can continue reinforcing practical best practices with customers: drive within the vehicle’s limits, slow for turns and intersections, ensure passengers remain seated, and use seat belts where equipped.

LSVDA safety resources are available free to download at this LINK. We are also continuing our Safety Saturday social posts, sharing reminders and updates for members, sponsors, and local stakeholders on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Dealer Growth and Profitability

Best Practices: The Power of Peers

In the article “The Power of Peers: Why Best Practice Groups Are One of the Best Investments a Golf Car Dealer Can Make,” George Keen explains how structured peer

By George Keen, Founding Education Member

Best practice groups help golf car dealers overcome the isolation of running a dealership. By bringing together non-competing dealers in a confidential setting, best practice groups enable members to benchmark financial performance, exchange proven operational strategies, and hold each other accountable for improvement.

The result is faster learning, stronger decision-making, and measurable business gains. As the LSV and golf car market becomes more competitive, dealers who collaborate with peers are better positioned to operate with professionalism, discipline, and long-term profitability.

To inquire about joining a Dealer Best Practices Group, click this LINK. You can also email BestPractice@WiseWolfConsulting.com and review the one-page ad toward the end of this newsletter. Take the next step in transforming your dealership’s performance today. You can contact George directly at 508-579-4131.

If you want to sharpen your skills at your own pace, explore a collection of practical, easy-to-read books on dealership management covering critical topics like sales discipline, service absorption, and rental fleet strategy. Visit https://wisewolf-consulting.com/books to learn more. Be sure to choose the “Wise Wolf Special” purchase option for the best price.

Reset Values and Expectations

By: Tony Altieri, Vice President of Business Development, National Powersport Auctions (Founding Platinum Sponsor).

The golf car market has reached a point where a reset is necessary. Residual values have adjusted to a level that creates opportunities in the pre-owned market, but only if the industry is aligned on the value of excess fleets entering the dealer channel. Expectations must shift. Dealers need clarity on aging inventory, how processes evolve to move units efficiently, and how pricing reflects today’s demand.

What does this reset mean for your business? The good news is that understanding the golf car market’s current pace turns uncertainty into opportunity. Dealers who pay attention to trends and values can price smartly, sell on time, and protect profits. To learn more, check out Trends, Values, and Dealer Strategies for 2026, where National Powersport Auctions (NPA) insights reveal how market-based data are shaping valuations across the industry.

Tony Altieri, NPA Vice President of Business Development, explained: “When we talk about the reset of values, whether it’s OEMs, dealers selling fleet, remarketing companies, or finance companies, we need to be aligned on where the current marketplace exists.”

So, what should dealers focus on as the market stabilizes?

Key Priorities for Dealers

Reset residuals and pricing to match current fleet and pre-owned demand.
Expand dealer participation beyond “The Big 3” to grow the sales pipeline.
Stabilize fleet cycles by returning to 36–48 month turnover timelines to help smooth forecasting and inventory management.
Invest in reconditioning to improve efficiency and boost pre-owned profits.

By embracing these priorities, dealers can navigate the golf car market reset with confidence.

Dealer Sentiment Snapshot: What Our Poll Reveals About the Market

Key Signals from the LSVDA Dealer Poll

54% cite consumer demand and lifestyle mobility as the primary driver
31% point to growing service and aftermarket revenue
8% cite inventory and pricing pressure
8% cite regulatory or local ordinance concerns

Dealer sentiment entering the next six months points to a stable but evolving golf car and LSV market.

Across many communities, golf cars and LSVs continue evolving from recreational vehicles into practical neighborhood transportation. As the installed base expands, dealerships are also seeing growing revenue from accessories, battery upgrades, service, and parts.

Only small percentages cited inventory pressure or regulatory concerns, suggesting supply conditions are stabilizing and policy issues, while important, are not the dominant near-term driver of dealer outlook.

One factor worth watching is the evolving situation in the Middle East. Higher fuel prices could strengthen the value proposition for short-trip mobility such as golf cars and LSVs. Conversely, weaker consumer confidence could slow discretionary purchases if the conflict persists.

LSVDA will continue monitoring dealer sentiment and broader market indicators as conditions develop.

NEW Poll: What Are You Seeing in the Market Right Now?

LSVDA has launched a quick Dealer Confidence Survey to capture real-time sentiment across the golf car and low-speed vehicle industry. It takes less than one minute and helps shape our upcoming State of the Industry insights.

Share your perspective here. LINK

And, let me know what other polling questions you would like to see and the frequency.

Market Growth

TRACTION: February Built Credibility. March Brings Acceleration

Prepared by Founding Education Member Sea Anchor Group.

February was about credibility. Throughout the month, dealers participating in the TRACTION Series focused on the work that builds confidence inside communities long before volume appears. The emphasis shifted from opening conversations to strengthening foundations.

Dealers took ownership of documenting local operating rules rather than waiting for others to define them. Clear, dealer-led guidelines reduced uncertainty and helped communities feel more comfortable moving forward.

The most effective conversations in February centered on solutions, not vehicles. Dealers who framed discussions around safety, access, and community needs saw stronger engagement.

February also reinforced the power of real examples. Sharing case studies from comparable communities reduced fear and replaced speculation with proof.

Finally, dealers prepared for scale. Service readiness, parts availability, charging support, and partner alignment all came into focus.

February showed that credibility is built deliberately. March builds on that credibility with broader engagement and deeper partnerships.

LSVDA Note: Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook Pages for weekly Pro Tips on how to grow your local markets. We anticipate producing a “how to” book at the end of the series. If a Founding Member would like to sponsor this co-branded book, reach out to our executive director at michael@lsvda.com.

What to expect in the market over the next 3-5 years
by Stephen Metzger, Chair, Industry News Committee and Managing Director, Small Vehicle Resource, LLC

In the next three-to-five years, look for the market to see increased prices and expansion. The new competitive framework will assure both. Increased prices will emerge, despite the more intense competition, because of upgrades, which may make the vehicles, on average, more costly, but also more attractive to the consumer.

Taking full advantage of the groundswell of street legal golf cars.

The groundswell of use of golf car-type vehicles (LSVs) on public roads continues. Virtually all States in the country allow golf cart-type vehicles on public roads, subject to various restrictions applying to both vehicle and driver (e.g., a driver’s license needed). A comprehensive survey of applicable laws across all 50 States of the Union may be found HERE.

Although States provide the overall legal framework for LSV use on public roads, local community regulations largely prevail regarding what streets can be accessed. This results in a myriad of conditions at a multiplicity of local jurisdictions. Despite these complexities, the use of LSVs as a viable and cost-effective alternative to conventional automobiles and light trucks continues to grow and gain popularity.

Refinements and upgrades in LSVs themselves are a key factor in market growth and local official acceptance.

Competitive Dynamics Will Drive Market Gains

The competitive framework that is developing should work to accomplish the trends in upgrades, pricing, and market growth suggested above. In addition, the fact that market growth takes place at the local level translates into a strength because of the grassroots attraction.

Material for this article provided by Small Vehicle Resource (SVR), a market research firm focused on the golf car and small-vehicle industries. You can get more information by contacting smetzger@smallvehicleresource.com.

Membership and Communications

Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
DX1: Integrated Systems for a Growing LSV Dealer Ecosystem

DX1 is a Platinum Sponsor of the Low Speed Vehicle Dealer Association, reflecting a shared commitment to dealer performance, industry professionalism, and the long-term health of the LSV and golf car ecosystem.

Founded on the belief that dealers perform best when technology works seamlessly behind the scenes, DX1 delivers an all-in-one, cloud-based dealership management platform that integrates sales, service, inventory, marketing, websites, and lead management into a single system. By replacing disconnected tools with real-time visibility and workflow discipline, DX1 helps dealers operate more efficiently, reduce friction across departments, and deliver a more consistent, professional customer experience.

While DX1’s roots are in the powersports industry, its expansion into the golf car, PTV, and LSV markets reflects a natural evolution. As low-speed vehicles continue to move from recreational and niche use into community, commercial, and lifestyle transportation, DX1 recognizes that rising expectations—from customers, communities, and regulators—require stronger systems, better data, and more coordinated operations at the dealer level.

“Dealer success has always been our north star,” said Jeffrey T. Littlejohn, President and CEO of DX1. “As the LSV and golf car markets grow and mature, dealers need integrated platforms that help them operate smarter, serve customers better, and adapt as the category evolves. LSVDA is helping bring structure, coordination, and clarity to what comes next, and we’re proud to support that work as a Platinum Sponsor.”

As a Platinum partner, DX1 plays an active role in shaping conversations around dealer best practices, market growth, and operational excellence. The partnership underscores a shared belief that sustainable growth is built not just on demand, but on systems, standards, and leadership that allow dealers—and the industry as a whole—to thrive.

Sponsor Spotlight:
Ekho: Helping Dealers Capture the Modern Buyer

The way customers shop for golf cars, LSVs, and powersports vehicles has changed dramatically in recent years. Buyers increasingly research online, submit inquiries outside traditional business hours, and expect quick responses.

Ekho was built to help dealers adapt to that new reality.

As a new Supplier Sponsor of the Low Speed Vehicle Dealer Association, Ekho provides an integrated digital sales platform designed specifically for LSV and powersports dealerships. The platform brings together several tools intended to help dealers manage customer engagement and streamline the sales process.

One of the company’s newest capabilities is the EKHO AI BDC, which responds to incoming website and text inquiries, helps qualify potential buyers, and schedules appointments for dealership teams. By responding quickly to after-hours leads, the system aims to help dealers capture opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

Ekho also supports online vehicle sales workflows, dealer websites optimized for modern search behavior, and digital tools designed to simplify paperwork such as credit applications, registration processes, and document signing.

The company’s focus is simple: help dealerships convert more online interest into real showroom activity while reducing administrative workload for staff.

As more LSV customers begin their buying journey online, tools that support faster response times and streamlined digital processes are becoming an important part of dealership operations.

LSVDA welcomes Ekho as a Supplier Sponsor and looks forward to their participation in helping dealers strengthen performance in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Learn more at ekho.com or email Will Koch at will@ekho.com.

How LSVDA is Working for You

We work every day to strengthen dealer success and elevate supplier-sponsor visibility by delivering measurable, high-value benefits across the entire ecosystem.

For dealers, LSVDA provides thousands of dollars in annual savings through training, compliance tools, recall and policy alerts, promotional opportunities, best-practice programs, and market-growth insights.

For supplier sponsors, LSVDA delivers targeted access to an active and growing dealer community through warm introductions, webinars, content co-branding, advertising discounts, and strategic visibility.

Compelling Reasons Dealers Should Join LSVDA Now.
Here’s the LINK.

Real, Documented Financial Value — Dealer members receive thousands in annual savings through trainings, discounts, tools, and marketing programs.
Policy, Safety & Recall Protection — LSVDA monitors federal, state, and local regulations plus all industry recalls, helping dealers stay compliant, avoid liability, and educate customers with confidence.
Market Growth Intelligence — Dealers gain access to timely market data, demand trends, and best-practice insights not available anywhere else in the industry.
Stronger Supplier Relationships — LSVDA creates direct pathways to vetted OEMs and suppliers through warm introductions, webinars, and co-branded opportunities that improve margins and expand product access.
Professional Development, Best Practices & Operational Excellence — Members receive training, tools, and frameworks to elevate sales, service, financial performance, and team effectiveness.
A Trusted Voice Representing Dealers — LSVDA advocates for dealer interests in safety standards, mobility policy, and public awareness—ensuring the industry grows responsibly and profitably.

St. Patrick’s Day Special for Dealers:
Gold Membership $999 (for a limited time)

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates good fortune. In business, however, success rarely comes from luck.

The strongest dealerships prepare. They invest in service capacity, understand evolving regulations, protect their margins, and position themselves for long-term growth in the LSV and PTV market.

For a limited time, LSVDA is offering Gold Dealer Membership for $999 (normally $1,200).

Gold membership includes:

Legislative and regulatory advocacy representation
Operational excellence webinars and dealer best practices
Industry white papers covering sales, marketing, and used vehicles
Model ordinance resources supporting responsible market expansion
Educational sessions and industry insights from leading partners
Recognition as an LSVDA Gold Dealer Member

Gold is designed for dealers who are focused on execution and disciplined growth.

If your dealership is investing in the future of the LSV industry and wants access to the knowledge, advocacy, and resources that support that growth, this is the right level.

Join as a Gold Dealer Member by clicking this LINK.

Please Welcome Our New Members

Dealer Members: Gator Golf Cars (platinum member), 303 Cart Barn, Electric Car Sales and Service, Foursom Golf Carts, Lakes Area Golf Carts, Meigs Motorsports, Nicks Golf Carts, Parts N Carts, Resort Life Carts, Under the Sun Golf Cars

Personal Support Members: Claudia Demandt

Events and Education Opportunities

Block your calendars for Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00 am CST for a great webinar brought to you from LSVDA + Lightspeed.

Golf car and LSV dealers are under pressure to grow margins, move faster, and stay ahead of shifting expectations—from customers, OEMs, and regulators.

In this LSVDA + Lightspeed co-branded session, we’ll connect the dots between industry realities and dealership-ready execution.

LSVDA will open with the “why” – what they’re seeing across the dealer community, and how education and advocacy are helping dealers navigate change.

Then Lightspeed will bring the “how” to life with real dealership best practices built for golf dealerships – integrated sales, F&I, parts, and service processes that streamline operations and strengthen customer relationships.

Be on the lookout for more upcoming webinars and Best Practice Programming.

Closing Thoughts – Looking Ahead

This issue reinforces a simple but important message: the LSV market continues to mature, and dealers who operate with discipline, professionalism, and local engagement will be best positioned to benefit.

Across the country, communities are expanding access to low-speed vehicles while refining safety and compliance expectations. At the same time, dealer sentiment shows steady demand supported by lifestyle mobility, service revenue, and a growing installed base of vehicles.

LSVDA will continue strengthening the resources that help dealers succeed, from policy visibility and safety guidance to best-practice education and industry connections. Our membership and sponsor community is growing, and that collective momentum is expanding the association’s ability to represent and support the dealer channel.

As you review this month’s articles, I encourage you to consider which ideas may strengthen your own dealership—from operational best practices to community engagement and market expansion strategies. If you’re not yet active in the association, consider joining a committee or taking advantage of our current membership promotion.

Thank you to every dealer, supplier, and partner working to grow this industry responsibly and professionally. Together, we are helping shape the future of neighborhood mobility.

Warm Regards,
The LSVDA Leadership Team