Wuzheng – Chinese Trucks in North America
We finally got around to talking to Mr. Micheal Papp, the CEO of Wuzheng North America, the importers, and dealers of the Chinese designed and produced, Wuzheng trucks, which are made quite locally to China Car Times, believe it or not. Wuzheng trucks seem to be making quite a splash in the US trucking world, especially with their good quality and low price tags. Check out the article below, click read more if you’re coming to see more!
Heres what Micheal Papp, CEO of Wuzheng North America had to say:
CCT: Whats your background, where do you come from and what have yo
done for a living before you started selling Chinese trucks?My name is Michael Papp, born & raised on the East Coast of the United States,
specifically New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Self-employed since in my early teens,
I worked with my parents & brother in a family business for over 20 years. My
professional background is primarily in commercial finance, residential finance,
and, in recent years, construction and development. It was my association with
the construction trade that introduced me to trucks manufactured in China.CCT: Who/What is Wuzheng?
Shandong Wuzheng Agricultural Vehicle Co., Ltd. has been making equipment
since 1962. In 2005, we began negotiations to distribute their vehicles in North America. Wuzheng North America, LTD was formed to handle the
distribution/sales/modifications & options necessary to market these vehicles in the USA and the rest of North America.CCT: What kind of trucks do you sell big heavy trucks or smaller ranch style pick up trucks?
Wuzheng NA will import and market trucks in the 10,000 to 30,000 pound GVW range. Pickup trucks, mini pick-ups are not the market we are interested in, and this segment is well covered by other manufacturers.CCT: Whats your relationship to Wuzheng China?
Wuzheng NA currently holds the exclusive rights to market the Wuzheng brand in North America.CCT: Why do you sell Chinese trucks specifically, surely there brands in South America that are comparable?
Not that I am aware of.
CCT: What are the major obstacles in importing Chinese made vehicles? Interestingly, the major obstacles have nothing to do with the actual vehicles
themselves. Most of the initial work was simply overcoming the universal attitude of It cannot be done! The mechanics of the import (EPA, DOT, NHTS
compliance) although difficult, are relatively strait forward ¡§C they either comply or they do not. Peoples attitudes regarding a new brand, someone looking right at the truck telling me that just isnt possible, those are the frustrating aspectsTHE major obstacle we are tackling right now is finding qualified distributors. We do not charge for a territory, nor do we charge a license, we look for a potential distributor who has the financial ability to commit in a manner this venture deserves. Everyone wants a piece of this, but few have demonstrated the ability, no matter how willing they are. It has been frustrating.
CCT: Do you believe that many of your potential customers are cautious about buying Chinese made things, in the (false) belief that Chinese manufacturing is of lower quality?
There is no question that there is a quality concern, justified or not. However, I can tell you what happens every single time a potential buyer is told about or
takes a look at these vehicles. And I mean 99 times out of 100, so much so that we have tailored or presentations around it;First, the buyer smiles, chuckles, hearing that this Truck they are looking at is the first Chinese-Manufactured vehicle in the US. Most of the time, some joking is made regarding the Chinese writing, the name !¡ãWuzheng!¡À; we just stand there smiling.
Next comes the comments about quality it must be junk, they say. They begin
to crawl in, on, under the vehicle. The chuckling, smiling on the buyers face
fades into raised eyebrows. Our smile widens.How much is this truck?!they ask. $19,500. How much extra is the dump?!
they inquire. That is included, we answer. How much extra for the turbo diesel? Toolbox? ABS system?! All included.Japanese-manufactured items had the same stigma for years. Look at a Toyota now. Look at Sony, we tell them. Easiest sale in the world.
CCT: Do you think that patriotism comes into a purchase in the trucking business, or is it solely based on price and quality?I think that patriotism comes into play much more so in the trucking business than in the passenger vehicle market, without any doubt. There is a very strong tendency on the part of some fleet buyers, some potential distributors, to not even look at a Chinese-manufactured truck, no matter what the price.
It is very important to understand the following; This venture began to form in my mind years ago when my construction company was in the market to purchase a number of work trucks. I knew I needed diesel, heavy-duty, dumps, a work truck. A comparable US-Manufactured vehicle to our Series 5 truck starts at $38,000+. Fully equipped with what we needed pushed the price to over $50,000. For one truck. If I am going to spend $50,000 for a work vehicle, it better come with a driver permanently planted in the drivers seat.
My point is this; I love US manufactured trucks. The dodge dually crew-cab with turbo diesel? My dream vehicle, always has been. But at $50,000 plus? It will stay in the dream category, because there is no way I will spend that amount of money on what for me is essentially a tool, something I!¡¥m going to haul lumber or gravel in, something I’m going to get dirty.
When potential buyers see the price of this truck, fully loaded at less than $20,000, patriotism tends to take second place to common sense. If the US were able to market a comparable truck for the same price, there would be no Wuzheng NA.
CCT: What do the customers that bought Wuzheng trucks think of them so far?
We are roughly 3 months into selling to end-users. The follow up that we have performed gained responses that have been overwhelmingly positive. There is no doubt, no question at all, that there will arise issues. We are prepared for these issues, with one goal in mind ¡§C make the customer happy that they purchased a Wuzheng.
CCT: How do Wuzheng trucks compare to their American rivals in terms of price and quality?
There are absolutely no true comparables, which is why we are so comfortable in this segment. Here is why; Find a truck with comparable features, a cab-over Izuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, GMC, whatever. All very similar trucks, and all cost 2-3 times as much as one of our Series 5 trucks. We are not talking 10% less, or 30% less in price we are talking less than half the price. Looking at it from the price standpoint, line up every truck marketed the US with a GVW over 10,000lbs priced under $30,000. It would be easy, because there are none, with the exception of Wuzheng.CCT: Do you think that in the future, Wuzheng trucks could potentially rival the big American truck brands like Ford, Dodge etc?
Not at all, it just simply isn’t possible. The Big Three have an entire vehicle lineup (which we do not intend to have) where they try to focus on every possible marketing segment. We only have, and only want, one segment.
Furthermore the focus of the big three is more style than functionality. What
other country in the world can you purchase three different variants of a
civilianized military vehicle because its “cool” whose only off-roading, ever, will be to pull into a driveway? In 5 years, when the Hummer H7 or H9 is out, our truck will appear in almost exactly the same style/form.
CCT: What are your hopes for the future of Wuzheng in North America?
Satisfaction would come simply from name recognition, and, more specifically,
having people know that Wuzheng is just a very good truck at a very good price, well serviced and backed by Wuzheng NA.
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Does anyone know if WuzhengNA is still selling trucks in the U.S. Where did you get the successful sales numbers, considering I can’t locate a truck anywhere? Thank you
Coalbiz,
The interview was done as is, however I have heard they have an interesting range of trucks, and now cars it seems, you can read the story here:
http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/03/23/electric-cars-in-the-usa/
Wuzheng does have a variety of trucks but BEWARE of WuzhengNa. Mike claims they have street legal trucks but when I talked to the parent company in China, they say their trucks are off road only! His website has been down for over 6 weeks. He started out asking for small amount of money then increased it by 10….BEWARE
Scott,
I am interested in knowing more about these vehicles.
Could you please give me more information. Thanks.
I warn you about this company and the person that is selling these tractors.
My husband was going to work with Michael and gave him a deposit of $1,500.00 in order to secure the busness and as a pre-payment for the tractor.
Shortly after receiving this deposit Michael wanted the rest of the money for the tractor which was over $20,000
but my husbant didn’t want to pay the money before he received the tractor.
After that we kept asking Michael to refund our deposit and he promised to do it many times. Now he is not even returning our calls and emails. We are working with Consumer Protection Agency in order to recover our money. I believe this whole business is a big FRAUD. And we report it to everybody we know. BE AWARE.
Sorry to hear about that…Does he have another website? He was trying to get monies from me for a truck distributorship. He lied about the trucks and disappeared when I asked for specifics. He started by asking for a small deposit then up it to over $100,000. Goodluck on getting money back..
Vicky,
Ive spoken to Micheal a few times – he seems like a pretty open guy. Give him a call – Tel: 908-938-2404 fax: 309-410-6509
I took those from his old website.
For one thing, user “coalbiz” and “scott” are the same people, the Chicarellos from western PA. They are well aware, from reviewing the vehicles, that we have them. They are fully aware that I have stopped returning thier calls because they are unable to come up with sufficient funds to purchase inventory. They must have 10 vehicles, they have offered to buy 5, try one, etc. We do not have time for tire-kickers, or negotiating a sales contract.
With regards to the legality of the trucks in the USA, They are. As sold in China, they are not. That is why we are involved, for emissions, epa, dot, nhtsa compliance. That is what we do, and how we sell them in the states. If Wuzheng in China made them compliant already (They don’t) we would not be involved.
As for “Vicki”, it was $1900 (not $1500) for a truck (not a tractor). This was a deposit to buy a truck that they wished to pay for once they arrived. They have arrived, please schedule a visit to pay the balance owed on the truck. There never was any contingincy for a refund then, and there is not one now.
Regardless, Scott and Brett, when you have the funds to do something, feel free to contact us. And Vicki, tell your husband to tell you the whole story, and I look forward to meeting you when you come to pay the balance due.
Michael Papp
Owner
Wuzheng, NA
UNTRUE, UNTRUE!! We saw 1 truck-non-turbo with maybe 20 miles on it, located at a abandoned building. Mike knows I have funds and if he told the whole story like he wants others to do then thats fine.But to have excuses the way he does is in question.OUR deal abruptly ended when he never responded to our various requests to speak to an end user or one of the many distributorships. Mike Papp has to know I have the hundered or so emails which have the whole story of his agreements and the “don’t tell anyone but we can do it this way story”. I’m fine with not dealing with Mike Papp but I hate to hear stories like Vicki’s. If I wanted trucks I could purchase direct from Wuzheng and Sam Wang at least they have a website and contact to get hold of. Sorry, I forgot Mikes site is down for a couple days or months I’m not sure which he is telling people now. Anyway, I’m not going to bicker back and forth since Mike and I know the truth. Its just unfortunate he tells people its because of money and he does not negotiate contracts. thats usually a part of business.
“”This was a deposit to buy a truck that they wished to pay for once they arrived. They have arrived, please schedule a visit to pay the balance owed on the truck. There never was any contingincy for a refund then, and there is not one now.”"
Perhaps Michael Papp should look into the PA Vehicle Code regarding refunding deposits. The purchaser can cancel a contract for a vehicle and the dealer is required to give a full refund on deposits if the buyer had not taken delivery or completed the contract.
Robert,
Tell me more. I am interested in knowing more about what you posted. I am not clear on your post.
im not sure about this PA Vehicle Code, dont know if its indeed a law or an aspirational code of conduct, BUT what you just is not true at common law of contracts.
beware of mr papp, bought real estate from him on ebay, paid in full and never recieved the deed dont take my calls , mailed me a lot of application forms for the site prep. and a forgery showing that he submitted the deed transfer papers, town clerk in question do not have any papers on file. do not reply to my many overtures for the deed
Pure and simple Micheal Papp has stolen untold thousends of dollars. He advertised on e-bay gave a pitch and then took our money for a private real estate investment trust (PRIET). After he took our money as investors to buy and fix the property he then borrowed money to buy the same place where our money went no one knows. He then filed bankruptcy on the place he got the mortgage from and the so called investors he got the money from.
That was just one property he has done the same scam over and over again. Some of us had the money one investor had lost his wife and was foolish enough to mortgage his home to invest with Mike. He has kids at home and Mike could care less he took his money without any hesitation. When he went to Mike’s house to ask for his money back Mike threatend to beat his F$#^&ing head in with a baseball bat.
I am not saying he is a lier but he did lie to me.
I am not saying he is a thief but he did steal my money.
I am not saying he is a scumbag.
But that is what scumbags act like.
I am not saying he will steal your money too but it sure is what I am thinking.
Just out of curiosity what kind of miledge would those
trucks get while dragging you down the road by the balls Mike?
Google Michael Papp INET etc… you will find he is all over the net and knows a lot about the law he also goes by multiple screen names
How this guy Papp lives and sleeps is beyond me. He is a very smart white collar thief! Do not trust him and DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY MONEY PERIOD! He has No conscience whatsoever, cares nothikng about the people he steals from and when he can not complete something as promised he walks away and hides, then uses the same legal system that is suppose to protect honest people from bums like him to get away with what ever he is doing.
My only hope is that some day Papps children will read some of these emails about him and his charactor and show the shame that he should, but I doubt it, birds of feather flock together right Shelly?
Papp, my previous offer to you before you changed your email address still stands if you ever want to take me up on it. When I told this heartless bastard that I needed the funds back that he promised for my son’s very serious medical issues, he laughed, THAT IS THE KIND OF PERSON THIS CRACK HEAD IS.
Michael Papp, president and owner of Spark-EV, was arrested for a $100,000 EV scam
http://tinyurl.com/6h6yu4
Michael Papp, president and owner of Spark-EV, has finally been arrested and jailed for his EV scam
http://tinyurl.com/6h6yu4
Mike,
I read about that and he posted bail.
Pinewood
Pinewood,
Did you read about it online (i.e., might you have a URL)?
And, did it mention the exact number and type of charges he will face, or the amount of bail he posted?
Thanks
Mike,
I read the newspaper article from The Express-Times. I received it as a google alert. He had to post the entire amount of bail which is what the article said. And, as for the charges, I only know what I read in the newspaper article.
Pinewood
If this is the same Mike Papp that I dealt with, HE IS A CON ARTIST. He has taken money from many. DO NOT SEND HIM ANY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!