Zeal Motor Inc has launched the FAT TRUCK™, the first in a series of industrial off-road utility vehicles specifically designed for the transportation of personnel and materials in difficult terrains.
Recently established in the Bromont industrial park, Quebec, Zeal Motor said production of the FAT TRUCK, which will create 15 jobs in the manufacturing plant, should lead to solid future growth. The project has required an initial investment of C$1.5 million ($1.13 million).
The startup received C$573,300 in financial assistance from the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada, which will allow it to grow and quickly break into the market, the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) said in a press release.
The CED added that the FAT TRUCK would meet the requirements of energy providers and mining companies.
Zeal Motor said: “The founders, Maxim O’Shaughnessy, Benoit Marleau and Amine Khimjee, all three experts in the field of industrial vehicles, are pursuing their mission of creating innovative products in this specialty market segment.”
O’Shaughnessy, President of Zeal Motor, said: “Until now, there is no efficient solution meeting the requirements and safety standards of the industrial sector. FAT TRUCK will address the specific needs of contractors working on power lines, pipelines, telecommunications and wind farms. Moreover, FAT TRUCK will become an essential vehicle for search and rescue.”
The US, Canada, Australia and the Scandinavian countries represent the company’s main target markets, it said, with several customers and international dealers having already shown a “keen interest”.
Through its Programme Exportation, the Government of Quebec granted Zeal Motor C$54,300 to help with the implementation of an international marketing strategy. In addition, Investissement Québec offered the company a C$150,000 loan guarantee.
The Government of Canada granted the business C$369,000 in financial assistance. The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program provided a non-repayable contribution of up to C$150,000 for a research and development project to support Zeal Motor Inc. in developing a prototype model of this new type of vehicle.
For its part, CED granted the company a repayable contribution of C$219,000 under the Quebec Economic Development Program, which allowed Zeal Motor to finalise product development (final drawings, certification, patent) and launch marketing activities in Canada and the US.