BY ANNISA ESSACK

19:04:2021

A pretend call to confirm my purchase of the Bajaj Qute, left my teenage daughter with a look of utter disdain and then incredulity. Having seen the rather odd-looking vehicle on social media, she was mortified that I had chosen to purchase one.

Many South Africans were taking the mickey out of the car, but many entrepreneurs are thinking about the many possibilities for the businesses, others are making for the first time seeing the owning of a vehicle as being more than affordable for lower-income South Africans and the lowest instalments on a vehicle.

Well, is it a car or a rickshaw? The Qute is, in fact, the first Indian-made quadricycle to meet the European Quadricycle norms and get the European WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) certification awarded by RDW Netherlands.

Social media posts claimed that the Qute retails at R 4900 or R 150 per month which is inaccurate. The Bajaj Qute retails at R75 000 and is available in Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa.

The car is being marketed as an eco-friendly, fuel-efficient, and economically competitive vehicle for first and last-mile transportation, the model is punted as a safe and affordable mode of transport for the commuter and employs drivers and fleet owners.

Designed to offer convenience for congested cities, the Bajaj Qute weighs 481 kilograms with a maximum speed of 70 km per hour. Its carbon footprint is significantly less than most cars, and it poses less threat to pedestrians and cyclists.

The vehicle can transport four adults, including the driver, and it has a luggage compartment capable of transporting goods weighing 20 kg in the bonnet and 40 kg on the roof if you install rails.

With the current fuel prices, I am leaving my daughter at home, as I look forward to running my funky, red Bajaj Qute around Durban.

Toot if you see me!