The American Personal Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Coalition, which includes ClubCar of Augusta, has filed a petition against Chinese imports of low-speed personal transportation vehicles (CLSPTVs) that are alleged to be hurting the American manufacturing industry of these vehicles, according to a press release from ClubCar.
These vehicles include golf carts, PTVs, LUVs, and LSVs. Club Car and Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. make up the coalition, and Wiley is representing the petitioner.
MORE: Historic Walton Way club, engineering contracts go for Augusta Commission approval
“We joined this coalition because we believe in competing fairly—whether on the 18th green or in neighborhoods across America. We expect our competitors to do the same,” said Mark Wagner, president and CEO of Club Car, LLC. “For U.S. manufacturers to make the cut, we need an environment where everyone follows the same rules and competes on a level playing field.”
According to the petition, Chinese industry is selling the vehicles at a less than fair value. These producers receive government tax breaks and discounted raw materials and inputs.
“Trade relief is necessary to remedy the injurious effects unfairly traded Chinese imports have had on a quintessential American industry,” said Robert E. DeFrancesco III, partner in the Wiley’s International Trade Practices law firm and counsel to the petitioner.
The petition was filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission. Chinese imports started in 2021 and have more than doubled in 2023, according to the press release, which claims that, as a result, U.S. producers have suffered substantial declines in production, shipments, profits, and employment.
“We welcome the competition of a free and fair market,” said Rob Scholl, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. “We simply want the playing field to be leveled for all competitors by countering the unfair trade practices of the state-supported Chinese industry, so that our products can compete against these Chinese products on their own merits, unimpeded by unfair trade practices that ultimately harm American manufacturers, their employees, and their customers.”
