Alex
IMHO price dictates and although many would like a 4 stroke trike it is just too dam expensive to justify as a hobbie, toy or pastime. By way of example - Look at the influx (and success) of the Chineese copies of popular cars at half or less price. Mate of mine has the GWM (Great Wall of China Motors) franchise and sold 50 (yes 50) bakkies in the first month in a small platteland town where he budgeted to do between 12-15 a month. Sales continue to flow and he is having a hard time keeping up. I drove the bakkie and it not a fancy schmancy vehicle by any means, but it can do the job and is comfortable enough. Time will tell if they are any good, but when I asked one of the guys who has been a loyal old school brand driver all his life why he chose it, he said he can buy 2.5 of these for same price as 1 branded one. He thus has a "spare bakkie" and about R50k left over for spares, service etc. and the bakkie gets Moer'd on the farm anyway. Makes scense if you think about it and loose the stigmatism associated with driving a "ripof".....
That said I think the GT450 is closer to the luxury end of the market and those that want a GT450 will rather pay extra for the name and get a 450 than an unknown (at least until the other is established in he market).
Also - I have yet to find someone (other than schools and the odd farmer) who can justify a trike as a business tool and thus get the tax benefits available to "conventional" aircraft ownership which makes spending R300K+ even harder.
The cheaper it is the more will be interested although the trike market seems to be in a bit of a lul at the moment with some awesome deals going on seconds not being snapped up.
IIRC KWK was landed here at under R320K (under correction). Obviously exchange rates fluctuate so timing plays a part, but there is no import duty on aircraft. VAT I assume will be payable on the new aerie as well. Bottom line without having a spec sheet in front of me it is impossible to make a judgement call and anyone who says they are keen are possibly blowing smoke up your @ss. Not saying don't bring it, simply saying that until the final thing is ready for a test flight it may be a bit unfair to "diss" the competition. Also IMHO it would need to be significantly cheaper (30%+) to have any serious impact on what is a small market.
Finally I am not a trike driver so keep that in mind. Above is simply my opinion.
PS
As a parting shot, is there a difference between the u/c and wing on a 912 and 582 of the same model. Is there not possibly a bigger market for upgrading the current used trikes to 912 power?
2c
...and to think that when I bought a brand new uprange trike a few years back, it cost R72k with ALL the options....
