(This article first appeared in the November 2018 issue of “Dealer E-News” and was later updated in August 2018.) Spanning more than 32-square-miles in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties of Central Florida, The Villages is the largest retirement community in the world with a population of nearly 129,000 residents ages 55 and up.

The community boasts the most diverse, single-site golf facility in the world with 12 Championship courses, more than 35 executive courses and an 18-hole putting course. Therefore, it is no surprise that a primary mode of transportation in this bustling retirement community is golf carts, something all too familiar to Underglass Auto Tech.

Located just outside of The Villages community in Lady Lake, Florida, Underglass Auto Tech has installed 3M™ Automotive Window Film, Crystalline Series on hundreds of golf carts with glass windows, including a CR70 and CR90 for the windshields. 3M’s Crystalline Series is scientifically proven to reject up to 60 percent of visible solar energy and up to 97 percent of heat- producing infrared rays. The non-metalized film also means golfers can use their cell phones without interference. The company also uses films for golf carts with flat acrylic windows.

“The less heat you have coming in, the longer the battery lasts,” said owner Chris Gehman. And battery life is critical when it comes to powering a golf cart – especially in carts that are running electric air conditioning to allow drivers in the Sunshine State to escape heat and humidity.

Gehman’s company has been serving Lady Lake, Florida and the surrounding Central Florida market since 1989, when he and his wife, Kris, first started the business. The company is the oldest 3M™ Authorized Window Film Dealer in its surrounding tri-county area. The Underglass team specializes in 3M film installation for residential, commercial and automotive. Based on the belief that customers’ needs are of the utmost importance, Underglass Auto Tech’s entire team is committed to meeting each customer’s goals. As a result, a high percentage of their business is from repeat customers and referrals.

“While we perform a variety of window film installations for homes, businesses and auto, it’s always fun to work on the golf carts,” Gehman said. “The golf cart owners really do love the window film and the added benefit of stopping the heat and saving the life of their batteries.”

For more information about Underglass Auto Tech, call (352) 753-5267.