Volcon Becomes Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Super Sonic (AODES) Golf Carts
Volcon (NASDAQ: VLCN) has signed an agreement to become the exclusive U.S. distributor of Super Sonic (AODES) golf carts. Super Sonic, which manufactures in Vietnam, is already producing Volcon's MN1 Adventurer and MN1 Tradesman models. The strategic importance of this partnership is heightened by recent trade developments: Chinese golf cart imports face significant tariffs (149% to 500%) following an antidumping petition, while Vietnamese imports are taxed at just 2.5%.
This competitive advantage positions Volcon to potentially capture market share from Chinese manufacturers who supplied $450 million worth of golf carts (114,000 units) to the U.S. in 2023. The company sees opportunities to supply major retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and Bass Pro Shop, which currently source from Chinese manufacturers. Additionally, Super Sonic is developing new golf cart designs that could revolutionize performance, style, and comfort.
Volcon (NASDAQ: VLCN) ha firmato un accordo per diventare il distributore esclusivo negli Stati Uniti dei golf cart Super Sonic (AODES). Super Sonic, che produce in Vietnam, sta già realizzando i modelli MN1 Adventurer e MN1 Tradesman di Volcon. L'importanza strategica di questa partnership è accentuata da recenti sviluppi commerciali: le importazioni cinesi di golf cart affrontano tariffe significative (dal 149% al 500%) a seguito di una petizione anti-dumping, mentre le importazioni vietnamite sono tassate solo al 2,5%.
Questo vantaggio competitivo posiziona Volcon per catturare potenzialmente quote di mercato dai produttori cinesi che hanno fornito golf cart per un valore di 450 milioni di dollari (114.000 unità) agli Stati Uniti nel 2023. L'azienda vede opportunità per rifornire grandi dettaglianti come Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply e Bass Pro Shop, che attualmente si riforniscono da produttori cinesi. Inoltre, Super Sonic sta sviluppando nuovi design di golf cart che potrebbero rivoluzionare le prestazioni, lo stile e il comfort.
Volcon (NASDAQ: VLCN) ha firmado un acuerdo para convertirse en el distribuidor exclusivo en EE.UU. de los carritos de golf Super Sonic (AODES). Super Sonic, que fabrica en Vietnam, ya está produciendo los modelos MN1 Adventurer y MN1 Tradesman de Volcon. La importancia estratégica de esta asociación aumenta debido a los recientes desarrollos comerciales: las importaciones chinas de carritos de golf enfrentan aranceles significativos (del 149% al 500%) tras una petición antidumping, mientras que las importaciones vietnamitas se gravan solo al 2,5 %.
Esta ventaja competitiva posiciona a Volcon para potencialmente capturar cuota de mercado de los fabricantes chinos que proporcionaron carritos de golf por un valor de 450 millones de dólares (114,000 unidades) a EE.UU. en 2023. La empresa ve oportunidades para abastecer a grandes minoristas como Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply y Bass Pro Shop, que actualmente se surten de fabricantes chinos. Además, Super Sonic está desarrollando nuevos diseños de carritos de golf que podrían revolucionar el rendimiento, el estilo y la comodidad.
볼콘 (NASDAQ: VLCN)은 슈퍼 소닉 (AODES) 골프 카트의 미국 독점 유통업체가 되기로 계약을 체결했습니다. 베트남에서 제조되는 슈퍼 소닉은 현재 볼콘의 MN1 어드벤처와 MN1 트레이드맨 모델을 생산하고 있습니다. 이 파트너십의 전략적 중요성은 최근의 무역 발전에 의해 더욱 강조되고 있습니다: 중국에서 수입되는 골프 카트는 반덤핑 청원에 따라 상당한 관세(149%에서 500%까지)를 지불해야 하는 반면, 베트남 수입품은 단 2.5%의 세금이 부과됩니다.
이 경쟁 우위는 볼콘이 2023년에 미국에 4억 5천만 달러(11만 4천 대)의 골프 카트를 공급한 중국 제조업체들로부터 시장 점유율을 잠재적으로 확보할 수 있는 위치에 있습니다. 회사는 현재 중국 제조업체로부터 조달하는 대형 소매업체인 로우스, 홈 디포, 트랙터 서플라이, 배스 프로 샵에 공급할 기회를 보고 있습니다. 또한 슈퍼 소닉은 성능, 스타일 및 편안함을 혁신할 수 있는 새로운 골프 카트 디자인을 개발하고 있습니다.
Volcon (NASDAQ: VLCN) a signé un accord pour devenir le distributeur exclusif aux États-Unis des chariots de golf Super Sonic (AODES). Super Sonic, qui fabrique au Vietnam, produit déjà les modèles MN1 Adventurer et MN1 Tradesman de Volcon. L'importance stratégique de ce partenariat est accentuée par les récents développements commerciaux : les importations chinoises de chariots de golf font face à des droits de douane significatifs (de 149 % à 500 %) suite à une pétition antidumping, tandis que les importations vietnamiennes ne sont taxées qu'à 2,5 %.
Ce avantage concurrentiel positionne Volcon pour potentiellement capturer des parts de marché des fabricants chinois qui ont fourni des chariots de golf d'une valeur de 450 millions de dollars (114 000 unités) aux États-Unis en 2023. L'entreprise voit des opportunités pour fournir de grands détaillants tels que Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply et Bass Pro Shop, qui s'approvisionnent actuellement auprès de fabricants chinois. De plus, Super Sonic développe de nouveaux designs de chariots de golf qui pourraient révolutionner les performances, le style et le confort.
Volcon (NASDAQ: VLCN) hat eine Vereinbarung unterzeichnet, um der exklusive US-Distributor von Super Sonic (AODES) Golf-Carts zu werden. Super Sonic, das in Vietnam produziert, stellt bereits die MN1 Adventurer und MN1 Tradesman Modelle von Volcon her. Die strategische Bedeutung dieser Partnerschaft wird durch aktuelle Handelsentwicklungen verstärkt: Chinesische Golf-Cart-Importe sehen sich erheblichen Zöllen (149% bis 500%) aufgrund eines Antidumping-Antrags gegenüber, während vietnamesische Importe mit nur 2,5% besteuert werden.
Dieser Wettbewerbsvorteil positioniert Volcon, um möglicherweise Marktanteile von chinesischen Herstellern zu gewinnen, die 2023 Golf-Carts im Wert von 450 Millionen Dollar (114.000 Einheiten) in die USA geliefert haben. Das Unternehmen sieht Möglichkeiten, große Einzelhändler wie Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply und Bass Pro Shop zu beliefern, die derzeit von chinesischen Herstellern beziehen. Darüber hinaus entwickelt Super Sonic neue Golf-Cart-Designs, die die Leistung, den Stil und den Komfort revolutionieren könnten.
- Secured exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Super Sonic golf carts
- Significant tariff advantage (2.5% vs 149-500%) over Chinese competitors
- Access to $450M market previously dominated by Chinese imports
- Potential to supply major retailers (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.)
- Manufacturing partner developing innovative new golf cart designs
- Dependence on single Vietnamese manufacturer for production
- New designs not yet ready for production
Insights
This strategic distribution agreement positions Volcon to potentially capture significant market share in the $450 million U.S. golf cart import market. The timing is particularly advantageous, coinciding with severe trade restrictions on Chinese manufacturers who currently dominate the space.
The competitive advantage is substantial: While Chinese imports face prohibitive tariffs of
The market dynamics are particularly favorable:
- The 114,000 unit annual import volume from China indicates significant immediate market opportunity
- Major retailers are likely actively seeking alternative suppliers due to the tariff situation
- Vietnamese manufacturing provides both cost advantages and tariff benefits
- The development of new innovative designs could further differentiate Volcon's offering
While the agreement's immediate revenue potential is substantial, the long-term strategic value may be even more significant. It positions Volcon as a key player in the golf cart supply chain at a important market inflection point, potentially establishing lasting relationships with major retailers and setting the stage for sustained market leadership.
The strategic value of this distribution agreement extends beyond mere cost advantages. Vietnam's emerging position as a manufacturing hub offers several key benefits:
- Geographic proximity to established Asian supply chains while avoiding Chinese tariffs
- Growing manufacturing expertise and infrastructure
- Political stability relative to other low-cost manufacturing locations
- Established trade relationships with the U.S.
The partnership with Super Sonic (AODES) is particularly advantageous as they already manufacture Volcon's MN1 models, indicating operational familiarity and existing quality control processes. This reduces implementation risks and suggests potential for rapid scaling to meet market demand.
The timing aligns perfectly with broader supply chain diversification trends away from China, potentially positioning Volcon as a preferred partner for retailers seeking stable, cost-effective supply alternatives. The immediate availability of manufacturing capacity through an established partner significantly reduces the typical risks associated with such market pivots.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On January 31, 2025, Volcon ePowersports (“Volcon”) (NASDAQ: VLCN) signed an agreement to be the exclusive distributor of Super Sonic Company Limited (“Super Sonic”), a wholly owned subsidiary of ODES Industry (aka AODES), golf carts sold to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) in the United States. Super Sonic (AODES) manufactures their golf carts in Vietnam under their own brand, AODES. They are responsible for manufacturing the Volcon MN1 Adventurer and MN1 Tradesman as well as golf carts for other OEMs.
John Kim, Volcon’s CEO, notes “We are excited for the opportunity to be the exclusive distributor of Super Sonic golf carts in the US. Super Sonic (AODES) has a strong history of golf cart sales in the US, which is why Volcon selected Super Sonic (AODES) to manufacture our golf carts. Their Vietnam manufacturing facility provides a competitive advantage due to lower tariffs for importing units compared to units coming from other Asian countries.”
The Golf Cart industry is in a unique state that could be favorable to buyers. According to the US Census Bureau 114,000 golf carts valued at
Volcon’s secure relationship with Super Sonic (AODES) in Vietnam translates to golf carts being taxed at
Further, Mr. Kim states “Super Sonic (AODES) is also developing new designs that could result in new models that would be unique compared to current golf cart designs. Although not yet ready for production, the design could revolutionize the future of golf cart performance, style, and comfort.”
This distribution agreement is included in Form 8-K filed by the Company on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.
Link to Company video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tsrwY7g-b8
Link to SCMP article
Link to Golf Cart Tariff overview
*accessed through S&P Global Trade Atlas (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheading 8703.10.5030), 2023.
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About Volcon
Based in the Austin, Texas area, Volcon was founded as the first all-electric power sports company producing high-quality and sustainable electric vehicles for the outdoor community. Volcon electric vehicles are the future of off-roading, not only because of their environmental benefits but also because of their near-silent operation, which allows for a more immersive outdoor experience.
Volcon's vehicle roadmap includes both motorcycles and UTVs. Its first product, the innovative Grunt, began shipping to customers in late 2021 and combines a fat-tired physique with high-torque electric power and a near-silent drive train. The Volcon Grunt EVO, an evolution of the original Grunt with a belt drive, an improved suspension, and seat, began shipping to customers in October 2023. The Brat is Volcon's first foray into the wildly popular eBike market for both on-road and off-road riding and is currently being delivered to dealers across North America. In 2024, Volcon entered the rapidly expanding LUV and UTV market and shipped its first production MN1 unit in October 2024. The new MN1 and HF1 products empower the driver to explore the outdoors in a new and unique way that gas-powered units cannot. They offer the same thrilling performance of a standard LUV / UTV without the noise (or pollution), allowing the driver to explore the outdoors with all their senses.
Volcon Contacts
For Media: media@volcon.com
For Dealers: dealers@volcon.com
For Investors: investors@volcon.com
For Marketing: marketing@volcon.com
For more information on Volcon or to learn more about its complete eBike, motorcycle and side-by-side line-up, visit: www.volcon.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this release referenced in this release are forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, how many Super Sonic units Volcon will sell, whether tariffs on imports from Vietnam will remain lower than other Asia countries, whether Super Sonic will be able to develop new models and how the new models will compare to existing models. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially different from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of its date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov.
SOURCE: Volcon, Inc.
FAQ
What is the tariff advantage for Volcon's VLCN Vietnamese-made golf carts compared to Chinese imports?
How large is the U.S. golf cart import market that Volcon VLCN could potentially capture?
Which major retailers could Volcon VLCN supply golf carts to under this new distribution agreement?
What products does Super Sonic currently manufacture for Volcon VLCN?
When did Volcon VLCN sign the exclusive distribution agreement with Super Sonic?
