Mattruck coming to US

Still, guys, 12 K is more than a little high for a Chinese built truck, 4x4 or not. The steel is not as good no matter what anyone tells you. They may get it right in a few years, but why subsidize medeocre? Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, but I trust the Japanese a whole lot more than the Chinese.

 

Where can you buy 2 2008 Jumbo Cab Kei Trucks outfitted like the MAT Truck for $12,000? Let me know because I am interested in buying as many as I can get my hands on. I have seen a 2002 Daihatsu Jumbo still stock with miles on it for $9450. That's a long ways from 2 2008's for $12,000.

 

I would be interested also., I never said they were Jumbo cab or 2008's. I said I could buy 2 kei trucks period. If I was to spend $12,000 for ANY vehicle it would be manditory that is be street legal.

 

Sounds like JR might want to drop out of this forum and start a MATT truck forum!
The post said two kei trucks. He didn't specify jumbos. So be fair. There are any number of kei dealers that can sell two well equipped and reliable kei's for 12 thousand dollars. The point is, anyone can buy a Japanese mini, spend a little extra (maybe even a jumbo) and still have a better deal than a Chinese truck. The Chinese trucks will work for a while but there will be many red faces and unhappy folks that bought one when the excuses are flying.
JR, either support this forum or leave. This is titled, "Japanese MiniTruck Forum", last I heard.

 

Sorry, JR. My bad. All that was directed to Tri State Mini Trucks.

 

But we were comparing Kei Trucks to the Mat Truck. So if you want to compare they should be outfitted the same.

 

The website says they build one every seven seconds.


If the MATT truck is a quality piece of machinery, (and I hope it is) it will be nice to have different choices and competion is always a good thing.
But to be honest. If it is of quality construction, it will be the first motorized anything from China that I personally know of that is........

The whole appeal of the KEI trucks are the price. You get ALOT of features and durability for the low price. The MATT truck may ( or may not ) have the features but it doesn't have the price.

 

O.K. then. Make a Mat Truck for the price of the Kei truck, and be sure to equip it with all the same features as the kei, You know, just to be fair...

I think this would be fair. Not sure who truck this is but I would doubt he has anywhere near 12 grand in it. To be honest, i will take this one any day over the unproven Mat truck.

 

Any way this is getting way off base. The guy is building a pretty cool truck. If you like it great if not then so be it. I for one think it's a great idea. If it works then I hope to be a part of it. If it doesn't then I guess I still have the Kei trucks to sell.

Sesnick. Price is very low on the list of most consumers decision making process when it comes to purchasing something. I think I lose a lot of deals because the Kei trucks are used with miles on them. Most people that I have sold trucks to are very wealthy. So I seriously doubt the $12,000 is really a big deal. I have a ton of toothless hacks come in every day wanting to trade in their DUI scooter for a mini truck. I haven't sold one of them yet.

Any way. I will let you guys figure it out. I am going to look over the dealer paperwork for the Mat Trucks.

 

I just took the time to read the last dozen posts or so. I went to the mattruck site and couldn't find where it claimed 4x4, just 4x2 rear drive. I think this looks like a copycat and someone playing catch-up could tend to cut corners. As for who would want to drive an 18 year old four wheeler, show me one that is still running at 18 years old not made by the Japanese. I'd be happy to drive it.

 

I would guess that a TON of farmers would like, or already have a Kei truck or even a Mat Truck. I am also willing to bet that these farmers are somewhere in between wealthy and a toothless hack and $12,000 is alot of money to them.
People that think $12,000 isn't a lot of money are not the same people that are going to buy a Japanese or Chinese built,, non-street legal truck. They will most likely go with something ALOT more recreational. i.e. a Rhino, RZR, Prowler, and if they need the Mat for work, well then they are not as wealthy as claimed.

I believe the Mat truck is a 'Tweener product. To expensive for the every day hobby kei truck enthusiast and too "Chinese" and utility for the weathy.

 

I work for a company that has everything they can made in China, and so far nothing but headaches and junk has come of it. I don't want something that is made in 7 seconds. For 12K I could have two 99-00 kei's decked out and know they are going to run forever. As for parts, when something breaks I don't want to put another cheap chinese part back on. China competes by producing low cost, low quality goods, this is no different. It looks cool, thats' for sure but you can put a dress on a pig and it's still........

 

$12,000 isn't a lot of money......if it is worth it. But why spend 12 when you can spend 5 to 8 and get the same benefit to the operation. My dad lives by the theory "let somebody else take the new off it". Same here, it don't have to be shiny, it has to work.

 

Does anyone know what channel SPEED CHANNEL in HD is on Dish Network? I can't find it.

Now don't start talking about racing. They will want to throw you off the site.

 

Is the HD a different channel than regular Speed?

 

No it's the same. Just like ESPN and ESPNHD are the same.

 

Whoa, easy fella! It's one thing to complain about the quality of products coming out of China, but it's not acceptable when you start slamming its people. No matter where you go in this world, you will find folks struggling to make a living. That's what the workers in those Chinese factories are doing, trying to support families. It's not like they are the ones making all the decisions about what grade of steel to use or what have you, that's done by big business administration. The Chinese working folks are like anyone else, just trying to put food on the table. A lot of them are happy just to have the chance to work in a factory, even if it's using lead based paint to pretty up toys sent here. Anyway, I'm sure you get what I'm saying.

As far as Matt's trucks, we only have to wait and see how they hold up. If they prove to be decent, good for him. If not, maybe someone can try approaching a Japanese company to do something similar.

-Hiram

 

Okay the Hack part might have been a little melodramatic.

 

Before I would consider becoming a dealer of any new product, I would want to review the "market research" to identify the potential market and see survey results of potential buyers. Saying that a market exists because the ATV market is falling and the used Kei truck market is growing is not evidence of a market for a new product. Rather, it is an assumption. Getting lots and lots of people to respond to a survey would be telling of how this new product would be received.
From the sample population here at the mini truck forum it seems overwhelmingly negative toward this product. It seems the general attitude of Americans toward Chinese products is not high at present. Simply thinking something is a great idea doesn't make it a good investment. I'm probably in what would be considered a "target market" (i. e. I own an ATV/UTV) and have not received any survey questions. It should not be difficult to get mailing lists of ATV/UTV enthusiasts, farmers, ranchers, golf courses, college campuses, and other potential users. It would be reasonable to ask people what they would want in this type of vehicle, what they would be willing to pay, is financing important, is country of origin important...Thinking a market can be created by advertising is an expensive approach and risky. I discovered in business that half of all marketing dollars are wasted - the problem is you can't tell which half.
I have found that if I am emotionally involved in a new idea, I let it subside until I can look at it in a clear unattached mode. It would also be prudent to present YOUR business plan for this new endeavor to YOUR banker, not theirs, and see if your bank would take a flyer on it.

 

Just to throw some more fuel on the fire - has anyone seen any info on the Tatanka trucks? I believe they are Japanese made (not sure on that) but are new trucks, left hand drive, 4x4, etc. very similar to the used kei trucks were are all using/selling right now. I believe they will be slightly higher than $12,000 but follow a similar business model as Mattruck. When I get back in the office I'll see if I can find some info on them.

 

I'm definitely not interested in any chinese vehicle, A used kei will out perform any new chinese vehicle any day. Besides, I'm still trying to figure out why you would spend 12K on one of those things when you could have two completely decked out kie's for the same price. As for the amount of money a resller makes, if you were only making 200 a truck you were getting hosed by your distributor, the max you should have been paying would be 3600.00ea for late 90s models.

 

Mattruck

I Noted a while back, a well known American was trying to put an agreement together with Chery, and after he shared his ideas and what they'd do together, Chery took his idea and shopped it, or at least that's what was repported..

Make sure you have a legal contract before you invest your time and efforts, these guys will drop you in the dirt if they find a sweeter deal.

so I think..

 

I'm looking on www.mattruck.com and the spec sheet only lists two wheel drive. There may be four wheel drives available, but the website initially listed in this thread is where I got my information about the Mattruck being two wheel drive.

It would only make sense that it would be four wheel drive. The website just does not say so. That's where I got my info.

I know three different people with Chinese made ATV type vehicles. One of them is a side by side similar to a Rhino in appearance. These people were fooled once and fell for the low intial price. None of them will be fooled again. Hence, very few repeat customers.

Their (my freinds) machines are plagued by structural inadequacies and poor metal choices in the designs of the vehicles. Those are baseline problems that are difficult, if not impossible to overcome by repairing.

So again, maybe the Mattruck will be different. I hope so, it would be an upward move for Chinese manufacturing.

Hopefully, the Mattruck will prove to be the exception.

gbrad

 

There have been a notable number of delays in Chinese automotive products that were to be exported but delayed. When there is additional information, it usually is tied to QC issues.

I was looking at a side by side off road vehicle made in China a few weeks back that was being distributed by a large Chain store here in the US. If you looked closely at the front suspension, the A arm travel was SEVERLY limited by a frame tube running an inch and a quarter under it. After staring at it nearly in a trance, I came to the conclusion that the designer must have had the level streets of Shanghi in mind, it would have been so easy to do it differently.

As per the 2WD 4WD thing, if they were selling 4WD units off the afore mentioned WEBsite, I'd think they would clearly mention that. Assume Nothing when shopping for Chinese goods.

So I think..

 

I noticed that my 18 year old Yamaha 4-wheeler generated a couple of responses!

I realize that newer equipment has new technology. Matter of fact, I just bought a brand new, 2008 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. Sure it has cool new features like push button 4WD and diff lock, push button reverse, wrinkle finish racks, built in winch mounts and don't forget the Independent Rear Suspension (that is REALLY nice!!). But some things never change......the 400cc engine design is basically the same as 18 years ago! And my 1990 will keep up with the 2008 all day long. I know, my 16 year old son has tried to leave me on my 1990...but has not lost me yet!!

But, Tri State Minis does bring out a good point. Today's society (especially the younger ones) seem to be more interested in the cool gadgets and "brand new", rather than dependability and longevity. So, a cheaply built, throw away mini truck may have a market. Kazuma sells enough Chinese ATVs to stay in business! I will never be interested, but others may....

just my opinion.

 

What you pay for a vehicle is really the difference between intial cost, and what you get out of it when you're thru prorated over time. What you get out of it, has a lot to do with the reputation of the vehicle.

We need not mention brand names, but we know what holds its value an what don't.

There are some things so good, it almost pays to buy new, because there's so little discount for buying a year or two old, reason is, they're still running strong years later.. sometimes 18 years later

 

I just got off the phone with my distributor in Japan. I asked him about the China Trucks. He said the chinese won't even buy it. The best selling vehicles there are used Japanese vehicles. Makes you wonder. He said he has a friend in Malaysia that said the government there bought a bunch of the trucks and are unhappy with the quality. I agree with what has been said already as far as other motor vehicles they have sent to the US market. Cheap.......hell yeah........take a look at the springs on a chinese atv. they look like they took them out of a BIC pen.

 

I have been approached to be a dealer for these trucks, but in my opinion they are way over priced. I have had trucks priced from $3000 to $7000 and it took 3 times a long to sell the $7000 trucks and they were basically brand new. Just no market in my area for a truck this expensive, especially when you can get a really good used KEI truck for 1/3 the price.