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Mattruck coming to US

Discussion in 'Mini Truck Spottings' started by dwink, Feb 4, 2008.

  1. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

    I agree. If you could buy a new Japanese mini in the US it would probably cost that much + Shipping. Typically Chinese products are 25% - 35% less expensive than its competition.

    -Greg
     
  2. I don't think this product is going to target the same people that want a Kei mini truck. They are two different markets. Guys that buy mini's want cheap. I really don't see a customer coming in to look at a MATT truck turning around a buying a Kei. If he doesn't buy a MATT truck he is probably going to go buy a new Polaris, Kubota, Mule, Rhino et.. He is shopping new products not cheap products. I think it's two seperate markets. I still plan to sell used Kei trucks. But this opens up a totally different market for us.

    Like I said the big fat Americans don't want a Kei truck it's just too uncomfortable to drive if not impossible.
     
  3. Gawdzuki

    Gawdzuki New Member

    Like I said the big fat Americans don't want a Kei truck it's just too uncomfortable to drive if not impossible.

    WooHoo... I am not a Big Fat american... I am a lean mean used Japanese truck wanting machine. :D But still American.

    I personally have a 1986 Suzuki Samurai (so I guess that would be 22 years old) that can run circles around most high dollar, push button, GPS, Onstar, etc etc trucks that can be purchased in todays market. I like telling them I bought it for 900.00 dollars... :p:rolleyes:
     
  4. Colin

    Colin Member

    I'm a big fat American and I love my minitruck. :D
     
  5. I understand what you are saying. I am fat and I love them to. But they leave a lot to be desired to be considered a mass market product in the United States.

    But I assume you aren't a dealer of Kei trucks. I don't want to lose a sale to a guy because the truck is made for a person half his size. One of the biggest problems we have as dealers is the cab size. It's a big issue when you try and sell a truck to a guy that's over 6 feet tall and over 250#. Which in our country and in my part of the country is pretty common. Indiana and Michigan rank as two of the states with the fattest people. So it's an issue around here. If I see a guy over six feet tall or someone over 250 walk in my door I know they probably aren't going to like the Kei truck because they can't get in and out of it easily. And if you are using it on the farm getting in and out quickly and easily is pretty important.

    I am 5'10" and weigh 215 a couple weeks ago I was 228. If I was much bigger my belly would have been close to touching the steering wheel on some trucks.
     
  6. jimhammer1

    jimhammer1 Member

    The mini truck is likely a vehicle for a niche market. Not everyone wants an ATV, a UTV, or a mini truck. In my part of the country it seems most ATVs are purchased and used for recreation. Seemingly speed is a selling factor along with ease of transporting them to a recreation area. The mini truck could have the best chance to be an even more versatile machine than the ATV/UTVs, if the government would eventually allow them to be licensed for the highway - which would increase their appeal and broaden their market. They are a pretty good off-road vehicle and a reasonable on-highway vehicle. They are not the best in either catagory, but arguably the most versatile for the price and they are dependable. It is not likely that any ATV or UTV manufactured solely for off-road use will ever be condoned by government for use on the open road, thereby limitting their potential market size. As the price of a barrel of oil rises there will be more pressure to allow high MPG vehicles on the road. I'll be waiting for the day I can drive my Carry down the highway at 40MPG to go to the hardware store. For the Interstate, I prefer the comfort and relative safety of larger vehicles. Until that day, I am enjoying my mini truck and it meets my needs. Now, if I could remember to go to the right side of it instead of the left side....
     
  7. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    I sell my "Fat American" customers a diahatsu HiJet jumbo. Works great, 1/3 the price.
     
  8. You can't sell one outfitted the same as a MATT truck for 1/3 the price. Unless the truck is junk to start with.

    Listen I am not trying to say the MATT truck is going to take over the Kei market. It's just a product that fixes a few issues with the Kei market in my opinion.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2008
  9. zbadboy

    zbadboy Member

    Let me say it again.......the Chinese won't even buy it. Remember the Hyundai Excel.............the only part of Excel was they all excelled to the scrap yards. Hyundai had to go back to the drawing board and seriously improve tooling and quality control. The Chinese are not even close to being where Hyundai was in the 80's.

    I believe Tri States marketing thoughts have some merit. However, I feel the problem is with the product. I would be concerned with customers a year or two down the line complaining about quality issues. This could really damage a business for the long run. A family friend had a Hyundai dealership in the 80's............it went out of business exactly because of what I previously stated.

    Good Luck.

    Jeff
     
  10. abcminitrucks

    abcminitrucks Member

    A good percentage of my market is Lancscapers, golf courses, security firms, colleges and such. They are not interested in a "outfitted" truck. I have sold several hundred trucks, from "plain Jane" to "pimped" and I know from experience that the "pimped" trucks have a very limited market....and sell much slower than the basic ones.....at least in my area. Most of my customers wanted to start with a base truck and customize it the way they want it...and save money doing it themselves. I have had a few that paid me to do it....but they spent no where near $12000.

    They highest price truck I have ever sold is $6500....retail, and it took me almost 6 months to sell it. There is no way I could sell a $12000 truck, nor would I be interested in tying up that kind of money.

    I assume when you developed your business plan, you did the demographic research and know your markets, but my area is not one of them.
     


  11. First of all this isn't my main business. This is just for fun for me. So if the MATT truck thing were to not work I could care less. I haven't even signed up yet. I just think they have a good idea. No they aren't going to sell them to universities, golf courses and security firms. But like I have tried to say in so many words. It's going after a different market.

    Do you have a retail location on a busy street? Or do you work from your home over the internet? Because I have a retail location on a major State Highway and most people I deal with are coming off the street not through the internet. They are shopping for something that looks like a camoed Polaris Ranger. Most of them have never even seen a Kei truck before. So if they are going to buy a Kei truck they want it to look like a Polaris Ranger.

    If you are selling mostly on the internet then your customers are already educated about the products. Much different selling technique between the two. 90% of what I do when someone walks through my door is education. Most of them want to drive them on the road so I get that out of the way first so I don't spend a whole hour and then find out they want it to replace their "DUI Scooter".

    Most of my business has been hunters that want it decked out. So maybe that is the biggest difference. Maybe that's why I am getting such resistance from the Kei dealers on this forum about the product. My customers have wanted the trucks vinyl camoed, lifted, snow plows the whole nine yards. I have sold very few plain Jane white trucks. So for me in my area the MATT is very appealing. Because the truck comes out of the container exactly the way my customers want them. Because let's all face it. The aftermarket parts part of this business is a complete pain in the butt.
     
  12. ddimports

    ddimports Member

    my 2 cents

    it is all about supply and demand
    some people want cheaper used, others want more expensive and new
    just for those reasons alone!!
    Mattruck is going head to head with the side by sides that are already out there. If they can survive great if not who cares. the jdm's are cheap, great quality but are not for all people. We in north America let the consumer decide!!
    i love free enterprise !!!!
     
  13. Colin

    Colin Member

    Wow, which trucks are those? I'm 6'4" 310lbs or so and my fat gut is several inches from the steering wheel in my Subaru. :eek:

    Colin
     
  14. The Suzuki's are pretty tight.
     
  15. Micah502EFI

    Micah502EFI New Member

    More Room in Cab

    The MATTruck's cab is wider, longer and taller than the mini truck cabs you are use to. They are made for Big American Men who want push button 4x4 with locking diffs front and back.....and all the bells and whistles.
     
  16. JRinTX

    JRinTX Moderator

    I am still amazed by the picture of the "factory" that is in the dealer info section!

    Several pages back there was a post from a guy named MATTruck (only 1 post..ever). Did he actually shell out the funds for this factory to build Chinese mini trucks? That is a very impressive drawing of a factory. Lets hope he has a good handle on the market because he is the one that is taking the giant risk! :eek:

    Or he may be one of those people that my dad used to say "has more money than sense". I know a few like that.... sometimes I wish I was one!!;)
     
  17. Qarle

    Qarle New Member

    And I would take ANY American truck over either.
     
  18. scesnick

    scesnick Member

    When you find an American mini truck let me know, I want one too.But until then, these are the only choices.
     
  19. myhijet

    myhijet Member

    I tried to post this last night but it wouldn't work.
    If one was to compare apples to apples, what does a new kei run in japan in us $? Anyone care to speculate what a 10-15 year old mattruck would be worth? Compare that to a used mattruck.
     
  20. Delorean

    Delorean New Member



    Cushman made one
     
  21. slimbad

    slimbad Member

    American?

    1. The "American" company Cushman was bought and owned by a British company (Ransomes Jacobson LTD) during the 1980's thru 1998. It was acquired by an amercan Congl. Textron (98-present). All throughout the Cushman was and is powered by Suzuki engines. Cushman's White truck and Vans are currently powered by a 660cc EFI Suzuki motor.

    2. Toro Workman series utility vehicle use the Mitsubishi 3G83 660cc engine. There earlier larger engine (950cc Briggs and Stratton Daihatsu LLC engine).

    3. GM has turned its Powertrain Division over to Isuzu (which GM now owns 49% shares) for development of GM's diesel engines and driveline components.

    4. It started "in the early 1970s when the Mazda pick up truck was imported to the North American market by Ford and called the Courier. From 1972 to 1983, the Courier was part of the Ford line up, but in reality it was a Mazda.

    From 1984 on, Ford decided to build its own small pickup truck and the Ranger was born. Mazda, meanwhile, redesigned their truck and sold it separately until 2002. When time came for a new Mazda truck, Mazda tapped Ford and the current Ranger was rebadged as the Mazda “B” series.

    From 1991 to 2001 Ford's Explorer was rebadged and sold as the Mazda Navajo. Only a two door version was available and the line was eventually dropped as Mazda concentrated on their own SUV, namely the Tribute."

    5. And finally what is this coming out of Orlando, Fl?

    http://www.realpages.com/sites/customcarriages/page4.html

    Sorry so longwinded, but throughout you don't see much American/Chinese product mergers. Might be a quality issue. Anyway, later......slim
     
  22. I posted a cushman question a few days ago, i don't think they make the little mini truck anymore, does anyone have any info on this?
     
  23. greg0187

    greg0187 Moderator Staff Member

    I was on the Daihatsu web site awile back and base price new was $10,500.00 US.
     
  24. dayspowersports

    dayspowersports New Member

    Chinese copy of a Japanese truck

    i would bet this is a Chinese copy of a Japanese truck. i have looked at some of the tiger trucks. its hard to beat a japanese product. we sell the chinese atvs and they are not the japanese quality. just my 2 cents worth.
    ________
    California Medical Marijuana Dispensary
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2011
  25. Micah502EFI

    Micah502EFI New Member

    New MATTruck Website

    MATTruck has revamped their website.
    Under Products, look at 2009 model.
    Lots of pics and video.
    They seem to still be working on this new site.
     
  26. They have been and continue to work on their website. When the whole Matt truck thing was posted here on the forum they really weren't ready to "go public" per say. But it happened and the website wasn't ready.
     
  27. Tatanka trucks/Mattruck

    Mattruck looks like a Tatanka truck which are made by the Chinese. Might have some little changes done to it.

    The Mattruck is a great looking truck and we hope it will hold up and perform like the kei trucks. We cant wait to get our hands on one to see how our customers react.

    Torrey
     
  28. De-icer

    De-icer Member

    It's neat looking but I still don't think it's going to sway folks away from Kei trucks. For 12K I better be able to drive it on the road in all 50 states and it's chinese.
     
  29. People spend way over $12,000 for UTV's already and they aren't even close to being able to drive them on the road. The market is there. I think people will be lined up to buy them. With the number of dealers signed up already it seems like a large number of people believe they will sell also.
     
  30. 1Poet

    1Poet New Member

    With so many things being made in China, you would hope that quality would improve. However, If the Matttruck does well for any period of time, the day will come when it is ultimately compared to a Japanese Kei truck. If Matt thinks these trucks will outlast a Kei, I believe he also thinks the tooth fairy has been to see him. Only time will tell, but my hard-earned money is on the Japanese. No One, NO ONE, makes a higher quality vehicle than the Japanese. Look at Toyota in the marketplace. Where are the Chinese? The kei class trucks are better after ten or fifteen years than the Mattruck is new. As I said though, time will tell. Let's see what a ten year old Mattruck is like. BTW, kinda funny that these $12,000.00 trucks are copies of the Kei. The only thing original is they have a "Jumbo cab" standard. I won't try and be PC like some have on this forum. Anybody fool enough to invest in a Chinese truck like this should realize they are ultimately financing those folks who are out to destroy us. "Come on and invest in our trucks. The Chinese won't hurt us. They are our friends, and I am an American." I don't wish you the best. At least the Japanese are not actively building missils that are to be targeted at the US mainland.
     

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