I wonder how these will affect the mini truck business. I know the quality isn't the same nor is the quality of a $39 DVD player but people buy it. Couple that to the fact they can license it for the road for more return on the dollars invested. Just a thought...
Interesting. They have a plant in OK. They also have manufacturing agreements with Ford, Mazda, and Suzuki. I thought it looked like a knock-off.
I have had it in use for 13 months now and the only failure i have had on it was the cheesy hubcaps. I got it with an extended cab and a 3-way dump body. it's been really reliable so far, and the crew likes it. and NO you can't put it on the road. its just like what all of you are up against. It was imported with an off-road declaration at customs and my local DMV isn't as forgiving or leniant as some of yours are. I spent three months reciting legalities back and forth with local government and even had the support of tiger and Global electric motors, who is trying to get the laws loosened up a bit for their LSV. ...just can't win somedays.. personally i like the old mitsu's the best of all. they have been just about bulletproof. i still have guys calling me about the ones that are still chugging along that i bought new in 1989.
The big selling feature was that we thought it could be registered. live and learn i guess... and i wish it was a "39 dollar dvd player" this one hit us for over $17k
the casinos use tiger trucks for people haulers . i've seen the same 2 trucks running 24-7 for 2 years now.
I don't know a lot about mini trucks, but I know a little about Chinese manufacturing. They use a really poor grade of steel in most of their products. These things may be assembled in OK., but if the components come from China, they will be hard pressed to last near as long as any Japanese product. I hope Dan keeps in touch with the board, I would love to here his thoughts in a few years. He could have bought 3 really nice Kei's for what he spent on that one.
I just spent some time with budgeting for 08 and discovered the operating expense for the tiger $253.00 for 2007. it was for 3 complete sets of filters (oil,air & fuel) and a spare set of belts. The only failure i have had to date has been a leaking heater core. ( i thought of this thread when it happened. i had just posted a few days prior about how great it has been so far.) It happened within a few weeks of the end of warranty and the vendor covered it. whew! dodged that bullet. The local vendor was on top of it. Huge inventory of parts in Texas for these. I can't complain too much so far... I'll keep you posted on its issues as they happen.
