Taiwan ATV Makers Differentiate Products to Stay Afloat

Taipei, July 1, 2008 (CENS)--Declining ATV (all terrain vehicle (ATV) sales stateside due to highflying fuel prices and impact from the sub-prime mortgage crisis are forcing some ATV makers in Taiwan to differentiate products for better survival.

Her Chee Industrial Co., Ltd., for example, has developed high-torque ATVs suitable for agricultural applications and recreational riding.

Chen Ching-chang, Her Chee chairman, pointed out that his company's newly developed buggy weighs only 350kg. With a 300cc engine, the buggy can run over 19 kilometers or even 22 kilometers with further tuning on one liter of gasoline. The chairman says that the new buggy has many advantages: compact size for easier parking and driving in tight spaces, as well as fuel efficiency and low pollution.

Her Chee's other new model is a 4x4/6x6 utility ATV. This ATV has 320cc shaft-drive powertrain, a high/low gear (high-speed/high-torque) transmission, a sophisticated trailer with differential lock, and hydraulic cargo bed. When connected with an extended drive shaft from the ATV to the rear cargo trailer, the vehicle turns into a 6x6 versatile utility vehicle suited for goods transport on farms and construction sites.

Chen claimed that such innovative mechanism can help the vehicle avoid being mired in rough terrain, and that the company plans to sell the utility ATV stateside and domestic markets.

With such new products, Chen said that his company's revenue and profits are expected to improve over last year's.

Aeon Motor Co., Ltd., a contract supplier to major global ATV brand Polaris, introduced its Cube UTV in 313cc 4WD and 280cc 2WD versions. The former is equipped with a complete four-wheel drive transmission and rear independent suspension designed for better traction under various road and load conditions. The rear dumping box, with safety lock, is rated for a maximum 200kg.