I noticed they were selling all mini truck models, some brand new...most prices shown.....example below DAIHATSU HIJET TRUCK SPECIAL 4WD tender New! Calculate Freight Cost Year 2007 Odometer 11 km Displacement 660 cc Streering Right Hand Drive Transmission MT Specific information Service / ID Stock / 662791 Register Date - Chassis No. S210P Registered No. - Exterior Color White Interior Color - Fuel Gasoline Options AirConditionning / PowerSteering Created Date 2007/07/09 Expiry Date 2007/08/09 Grade 5.0 Ecrm Number 662791 More Details Exporter's stock This Japan used car is owned by the exporter named above. To buy or get more information about this car, please fill in the required fields and click "Submit". You may also contact the dealer directly for purchasing, shipping and other information by accessing the Used Car Exporter Profile Page. The dealer here in Japan will respond to your inquiry promptly to assist you with all necessary procedures. Tip: Save time by registering as a member. [ Close This Window ]
I've wondered the same thing myself. I'm guessing that a dealer (member of this site) probably isn't going to give up his sources if he did use them. I can't say that I blame them...
The problem I see is that you're looking at a vehicle that is still in Japan. Getting it to your door is a whole 'nother ballgame. Plus that price looks high for wholesale. I like looking at those sites every now and then to get an idea for what's out there but I would still buy locally.
I have talked to these guys about trucks. They are comparable to other exporters. Their typical truck is in the range of $2500-$3500. Then there is a charge for installing the speed limiter device. And a service charge for getting it loaded for shipping. Then the shipping, in volume, is around $1000.00 per truck. For one truck, I'm sure it would be much more. There is all the import documentation and possible fees associated. I paid $300.00 for the customs guys to inspect a container! (and I thought that US Customs was funded with a portion of our taxes) In the long run, the prices that these trucks are selling for over here is very reasonable. There is not much profit for the dealers. Especially if you figure the expense of the monetary investment, along with all the cleaning, detailing, changing fluids, filters, plugs, etc. Just my 2 cents worth!
thanks for the info...so if I understand it right, grade 5 vehicles can be purchased, but it would take more $ and time? Any dealers near Branson, Missouri who has an established relationship with a Japanese exporter who could get me what I want?
If there is so little profit, why are there so many dealers sringing up all over the US? Are all the dealers in love with these little trucks and just sell them for the fun of it? I'm not trying to be a wise guy, I'm just asking...
I think that there are so many new dealers popping up because this is the hottest fad right now in utility vehicles. And, like me, they think it is a good business to get into. But, the additional costs of getting the trucks to the point of sale can be surprising....and a little risky. There is a profit in selling these trucks, but I don't think anyone will get rich. Also, with more trucks being imported, the supply is greater and price has to be more competitive. It also adds to the risk factor due to more scrutiny from EPA, US Customs, state agencies, etc. I think that most dealers are in the business because of a personal interest in these little trucks...not just to make a buck. Again, this is just my opinion...results may vary...
JR, Well said. I'm actively pursuing becoming a dealer and the fact that I think these trucks are neat little machines is very much part of the allure. I do, of course, want to make some money at it. I certainly don't expect to get rich doing it, however, I think it will mesh well with my other two businesses. I own: www.out-backstorage.com and www.blackmagiccarwash.com (1/2 owner) I've got a 20'x40' shop attached to the car wash that is not being utilized and it's set up with a drain in the floor and a pretty good tool set. I've got detailers who will do a bang up job detailing the inside and buffing the outside for $100 / truck. I figure I can fit 4 trucks easily inside the shop and I could always store more in containers if I have to. I could park one outside on the road for advertising. My container delivery trailer works like a ramp truck and I can transport cars and trucks on it easily so delivery is not an issue. No one around here is selling these and I can think of many different businesses in the area who could use one of these trucks. I'm in the information gathering stage right now. Hopefully I can make it happen without getting burned.
It looks like you have the perfect facility and resources for a mini truck business! It is a lot of fun...but you won't get rich. Good luck and I will answer any questions that I can.
You got that right. I am in it for the trucks themselves. I can make more money off one cut of hay on 80 acres than a whole container full of minis. A lot of the trucks on eBay seem to be at giveaway prices. The ones I've moved over the last year were for the love of the vehicles and the fun of letting my friends get in to them, all the while making me look like a genius big shot. I've washed my hands of selling any more as my time can be spent making money in more efficient ways. I do love our minis. We run 8 all day long working.
jliltd, That is a great pic of the trucks lined up like that with the mountains in the background. Where was it taken?
Hope this response isn't endorsing the hijacking of a thread .... but since you asked: In the sand hills. In a land far, far away (from the nearest EPA enforcement office). These little buggers are perfect for running sandy arroyos and dune climbing. As you work upstream on arroyos they can get real narrow in a hurry. The mini's width is a real asset in this situation. As an aside, stock tires and configuration seem to work just as well in sand as larger ATV tires. As unbelievable as it sounds. I guess the larger diameter of ATV tires (Carylisle 489's, All Trails etc...) robs just enough torque to negate the flotation and tread advantages. Now back to the originally-scheduled thread.
PROFIT??? What is that? Right now, with the market in my area, I am forced to sell my trucks at a loss. The problem is ANY ONE can import these trucks, as long as they are willing to put out allot of cash, take a risk and do the proper paperwork. (which is usually not the case with the people that are trying to make big profits). Then wait a few weeks and VOILA you have several trucks that are going to make you rich...NOT!. I am seeing these trucks for sale all over...from pawn shops to subdivisions. Will be interesting to see what happens.
As a future owner of one of these beauties, here's what would direct me away from a pawn shop, garage sale, or even the hassle of importing it myself. 1. Someone who has this as their business and sees tons of these can offer me recommendations as to the pro's and con's of each model. 2. Someone who has this as their business and who highlights the specific mechanical, structural, electrical, and fluids type inspections and servicing they do on all their vehicles prior to my purchase. 3. Someone who has this as their business likely will get far better prices on wheels, tires, lift kits, bedliner painting than I would on my own thus making it a win win for both of us. 4. Someone who has this as their business likely as a volume buyer get's better quality trucks off the boat. I know it might sound crazy, but have all the dealers represented on this forum thought to pool their resources, expertise, advertising, purchasing power, warranties and forming a nationwide minitruck corporation? You all have highlighted so clearly why these vehicles are superior to UTV's and with UTV sales going through the roof, a national presence of K trucks through a network of dealers across the nation likely holds some huge profits for all here???
You are correct in everything you mention...but many buyers are looking to save as much money as they can.....so they will take the lowest price they can find...and forego any expertise provided by a qualified dealer.
No offense to anyone here as I've caught the K truck fever, but not all the web pages clearly outlined the value the dealer obviously offered.....what if, maybe not a formal corporation, but a "national standard" of pre-delivery service and inspection be compiled and then all dealers who commit to and have the ability to offer x, y, z levels of service could then advertise as meeting national standards x, y, and z for k vehicle types a, b, c...since I don't care to be a dealer but want a quality vehicle at a good price, an organized dealer network and national standard would go along way to convincing myself and likely others to not go it alone and try to import these themselves......just a thought...
informally you refer clients to each other...a unified webpage, maybe by region, maybe showing desired sales coverage area could also educate your buyers who to contact? Again the largest opportunity for profit likely lies in having 2 or 3 regions pool purchasing resources and order a 100 vehicle allotment from 1 preferred Japanese supplier...allowing you much power to negotiate much lower per vehicle prices as well as push the exporter to ensure you got all 4 to 5 grade vehicles.....if the exporter sees volume and the likelyhood of future such orders, they will be finanically incented to give you as the dealer premium service.
Great ideas!!! but much easier said than done... OK, So we come up with a unified web page...and we all put in our desired coverage area....does that mean that the guy down the street can no longer sell his mini trucks from his home? What about the guy up the street that has a used car lot and wants to start selling mini trucks? How would you enforce it....you can't. I agree that pooling together could probably get us better prices...but the logistics are huge...especially when you have to front thousands of dollars, and there is alway some risk involved. What would you like to see on dealer pages? Mine has a complete page dedicated to service and repair. I would think that would show the potential buyer that I know what I am doing. The real problem her is CODB....cost of doing business. Yes, I can get my trucks for a good price since I order in quantity. But I have allot more expenses than just the trucks themselves. If I don't factor those costs into the retail price of my trucks, I loose money. Loosing money helps my tax libility, but does not put food on the table.
