Cheap Chinese Pickup Fails Several Consumer Tests
The quest for better fuel mileage is starting to get idiotic. Not that there is something wrong with extending the range of your vehicle, but what is being sacrificed in the process is getting to be bothersome.
A company based in the state of Oklahoma has found a way to exploit several loopholes by building pickup trucks in the state from kits sent in from China. Tiger Trucks, LLC is putting together trucks designed by Chang’an Automobile Group and placing three-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engines in them and selling the trucks to customers across Oklahoma, indeed the country.
The Tiger Champ, available in two or four door crew cab is a full sized truck with a 3000 lb. carrying capacity. This number fits squarely in with what many farmers want and, as such, is marketed to them. Good thing too: the truck is certified for only off-road use (except in Oklahoma) and is limited to a speed of 25 mph (except in Oklahoma); the Champ as it is currently designed would not be able to pass federal government crash test requirements.
The positive attributes of the Champ is what is stirring customer interest. Able to achieve 37 mpg, the Tiger Champ is in a class by itself. Moreover, with a retail price starting around $13,000, the Champ is dirt cheap. Just don’t expect a comfortable ride or a safe one at that.
Before you blast me about attacking the free enterprise system, let me say this: if federal emissions and safety regulations are to be taken seriously, shouldn’t the Tiger Champ meet minimal benchmarks? Chinese vehicles are notorious for failing important safety tests and, though the bulk of the driving is probably being done on large farms and country back roads, are we sacrificing safety in a bid to save some money? True, most farmers could drive a golf cart on their land and not get grief for that, but when you have a vehicle of this size, shouldn’t federal mandates prevail?
Minimally, the Tiger Champ does meet federal emission standards, including with the tiny Caterpillar powerplant. Other truck models and engine choices are available from the assembler who claims has the capacity to build 35 units per day.
(Source: AutoNews)
[...] to Google Latest Content Cheap Chinese Pickup Fails Several Consumer Tests – 2 hours ago The quest for better fuel mileage is starting to get idiotic. Not that there is [...]
[...] Cheap Chinese Pickup Fails Several Consumer Tests view details 1 vote [...]
[...] Chinese Pickup Fails Several Consumer Tests view story 1 vote [...]
[...] [...]
[...] assembled in america and meant for the us market is being manuf… [Show More]Analysis of this Post cheap chinese pickup fails several consumer testsPost Source: http://www.autotrends.org Posted: Jul 22 2008 07:22:28 the quest for better fuel mileage is [...]