Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuk Tuk USA - more questions than answers
Who doesn't love the idea of having a little Piaggio Ape for scooting around town? Oh, you don't want that? Then you won't like this either - the subcontinental classic Tuk Tuk, now available in the USA.
A tuk tuk, also known as an auto rickshaw, is a three-wheeled vehicle based on a scooter (originally Vespa) drivetrain. They're used all over India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia as taxis and utility vehicles. BUT WAIT - they're now being imported by an enthusiastic company called Tuk Tuk USA, Inc., who claim they've gotten EPA and DOT approval for their Mitsubishi-powered version.
Slightly reminiscent of a Jolly, it doesn't seem like the worst idea in a resort-like setting for shuttling guests around - they're pretty economical and easy to maintain. Strangely, the company seems to think that private individuals are going to want them, too, so they're looking to set up a dealership network. At $10,000 to $15,000 for 30 mph, you don't seem to get a lot for your money, which could be due to import costs. They don't mention, though, that it's probably registered as a scooter, which would mean a lot less DOT hurdles to clear, so the cost seems a bit high to me. They're offering 3, 6, and 12 seat configurations (plus one auto-wallah), as well as various types of truck platforms. No mention, though, of where they come from.
Check out their website, after turning down your volume substantially (or off if you're at work), here: http://www.tuktukusainc.com/ (Gotta love their intense "Take the Beat to the Street" soundtrack, it helps divert your attention away from the lack of useful information).
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your an idiot without correct information to pollute the public of false information. They are not scooters, you think a scooter would pull 2 jet ski on a trailer that empty would as you think only go 35, Dumbness is dumbness and to make sure how dumb someone is all you have to do is wait till they open their mouth.
ReplyDeleteThere's always at least one person who feels the need to refer to others as idiots in the most unnecessary way. So here, 6 and a half years later it's my pleasure to refer to this individual in a language he'll understand. Isn't that right dumb ass?
DeletePoint #1, dumb ass: the photo of the TukTuk pulling jet skis is the Americanized, Mitsu-powered TukTuk, not the ones you'd find tooling around Asia.
Point #2, dumb ass: The TukTuks in Asia, if they're registered at all, do qualify as scooters yet you'll see them pulling/hauling some extraordinary loads. Though not very quickly.
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Heres more about your intell !!!
ReplyDeleteI have little to add to that helpful comment from what I can assume is a representative of Tuk Tuk USA inc., except that tuk tuks are actually scooter-derived, and a scooter outfitted with a Mitsubishi automotive drivetrain could indeed pull a trailer. My 61 hp Smart can tow a decent amount, and the new Smarts have a more-powerful Mitsu 3-cyl that's only 999cc and could easily fit this application. If this representative wishes to add to the product information lacking on their website by commenting further, I would welcome it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm not sure what the second post is implying, but low speed vehicles, scooters, ATVs, and even mopeds can be issued titles depending on which state the owner resides in. I should also make it clear that I'm not knocking the product for not being a true "car," I find nothing wrong with the product itself actually. It's the price and the lack of information that seem a little unusual to me.
ReplyDeleteI own a tuk tuk in new jersey that was custom built by one of the oldest tuk tuk builders in thailand. I have been driving this tuk tuk for transportation since i shipped it to the USA in 2005 .
ReplyDeleteThe Tuk Tuk has a Three cylinder Diahatsu hijet engine and this japanese motor is bullet proof. For more information and test rides please feel free to call 973- 997-3469