Hulas Motors

Hulas Motors Pvt. Ltd. is the only commercial vehicle manufacturer in Nepal,[1] manufacturing light commercial vehicles (LCV) as well as Mini Utility Vehicles (MUV). Hulas Motors Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1997.[1] It is a subsidiary of Golchha Organization,[2] one of the largest manufacturing companies in Nepal. The designs of Sherpa, Mustang and Mini V[clarification needed] are all indigenous to Nepal. The complete R&D is done in house. Hulas Motors has a strategic alliance with its sister concern, Hulas Steel Industries which provides it with engineering and mechanical support.[citation needed] The company has sold 1,400 vehicles in Nepal as of 2015.[1]

The Prime Minister of Nepal from 2011 to 2013, Baburam Bhattarai, used a Hulas Mustang Max as his official vehicle.[3][1]

In 2015, the executives of Hulas Motors announced the discontinuation of notable production vehicles, like the Hulas Mustang, and the Hulas Sherpa utility vehicles. The reason behind the discontinuation was that two years prior, the Nepalese government had ordered the company to upgrade the engines to Euro III standards, up from Euro I. The executives say that they could not find a suitable Euro III standard engine, exhibiting high performance in both normal and hilly roads before the deadline expired. They also lobbied for the government to extend the expiry date of the deadline they had to meet.[1][4] The new standards had also resulted in the cancellation of the planned jeep Hulas Bravo.[4]

On July 8, 2016, it was announced that Hulas Motors had begun the production of an all-electric passenger car, and is currently undergoing testing in various areas of Nepal, including Kathmandu city, and other rural and hilly areas. The electric car is said to be priced at NRs 14 to 15 lakh or NRs 1.4 to 1.5 million. The car is said[according to whom?] to have various features like power windows, power lock system, power steering system, and an air conditioning system.[citation needed]

The Hulas Mustang had been featured on Top Gear in 2019 as part of the Nepal Special episode.[5][6]

Current models include:[citation needed]

Former models include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ghimire, Bhim; Ghimire, Lila Ballav (12 January 2015). "Hulas Motors formally ceases production". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Lack of required infrastructure dash EV traders' hopes". The Himalayan Times. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ Dhakal, Sanjaya (31 August 2011). "PM Bhattarai praised for choosing Nepal-made Mustang". BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b Dhungana, Nabin (30 August 2019). "Mustang Max: How the government killed an ambitious industrialist's dream project". Online Khabar. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ "BBC One - Top Gear, Nepal Special". BBC. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ Robson, Jeff (29 December 2019). "Top Gear Nepal Special was another gruelling but entertaining road trip". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ Bhandari, Binod (6 April 2016). "Low-cost Hulas-e cars set for autumn launch". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b Dixit, Kunda (March 2006). "Clean & green & electric". Nepali Times. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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