Atlanta, GA - February 12, 2004 - E-Z-GO Textron, the world's largest manufacturer of utility vehicles, announces that for 2004, the E-Z-GO ST will again be designated the "Official Utility Vehicle" of 15 state cattlemen's associations, as well as a trade publication representing the cattle industry in seven states. The designation means that E-Z-GO will be the sole utility vehicle featured in activities and publications of the state organizations.
States represented by the cattlemen's associations include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas. Western Cowman, a magazine dedicated to the cattle sale industry, will also identify the E-Z-GO ST as the "Official Utility Vehicle" of stock sales to its market in California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho.
E-Z-GO will participate as a sponsor and exhibitor in state cattlemen's association conventions, and the E-Z-GO ST will be featured in each group's publications.
"We are pleased that the E-Z-GO ST has been selected as the 'official vehicle' by these state cattle associations," said Ron Skenes, Manager of Marketing and Communications for the E-Z-GO ST product line. "Their members are important advocates for the cattle ranchers in their states. We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship with all the state organizations."
Four models of the E-Z-GO ST utility vehicles – the ST 4x4, ST 480, ST 350, and ST Sport – are equipped to handle farm and ranch chores, from basic transportation around the property to heavy-duty farm work. With their hefty payload capacities of 1500 pounds in the ST 4x4, 800 pounds in the ST 350 and ST 480, and 650 pounds in the ST Sport, the vehicles can carry two passengers side-by-side in comfort, along with a load of tools or supplies. A power lift for the cargo bed, available on the ST 350 and 480, takes the backbreak out of depositing materials at their destination.
The newest E-Z-GO ST utility vehicle, the ST 4X4, has an 18 hp, 614-cc, V-twin, air-cooled Honda engine that will reach 25 miles per hour, giving it the guts to face the toughest chores. The ST 480 has a 16 hp, 4-cycle, 480-cc twin cylinder engine capable of reaching 17 miles per hour, along with a locking rear differential. Other models have an 11 hp, 350-cc engine that reaches 15 mph.
E-Z-GO Textron, based in Augusta, Georgia, is the world's leading manufacturer of golf cars and utility vehicles. Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is an $10 billion multi-industry company with more than 43,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial, and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.
For more information on E-Z-GO products, consumers may contact E-Z-GO Textron, Box 388, Augusta, GA 30903, phone 1-800-241-5855, or websites at www.textron.com or www.ezgo.com.