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Tomcar: Soon on Baywatch?
Israeli Tomcar eyeing China parts factory
Record sales for Israeli off-road maker Tomcar as sales triple from 2005; company also looks into manufacturing parts in China
The growth in the sales of the Israeli off-road automotive manufacturer Tomcar is continuing at record levels as the company is projected to manufacture 600-700 units this year, three times the number of units produced in 2005.
Most of the units are currently assembled at the company's plant in Phoenix, Arizona, which has been recently doubled in size, and employs 50 workers, the same number as the workers in Israel. Simultaneously, the company has started to examine the possibilities of manufacturing parts in China, in addition to the manufacturing in Israel.
Contrary to the upwards trend in worldwide sales, the sales of Tomcar in Israel have plummeted in reaction to the attempt by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz to ban the different "Mule" off-road vehicles from Israeli roads. So far, however, the measure was blocked by the Knesset.
Tomcar, which serves a diverse market – teenagers, tour operators, Israel Defense Force, and the Border Patrol –, is continuing its success in penetrating new markets. Recently, a number of units were delivered to the United States Army for field tests, and two units were sold to the lifeguards of Venice Beach in southern California, whose actions were depicted on the hit show "Baywatch". The company has also developed a pickup version based on its traditional off-road model.
