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).