You gotta love Malcolm Bricklin's tenacity. Despite his plans to import Chinese-made Cherys into the U.S., Bricklin's looking east again for his next big thing. Which is an inexpenisive hybrid.
Bricklin says his company, Visionary Vehicles, is currently working to design a low-cost hybrid car that would be built in China to take advantage of cheap labor costs. By doing this, Bricklin says, he hopes to sell the new car for as much as 30% less than a conventional gasoline engine vehicle. China Car Times says the car is will be comparable in size to a Mercedes E Class, but sell in the $15,000 to $25,000 range.
If things work out this time, Visionary Vehicles plans to have affordable Chinese-made hybrid cars on dealer lots sometime in 2009. Less than two years from concept to reality for such a high-tech vehicle seems rather ambitious to us, but we wish Mr. Bricklin luck.
[Source: China Car Times, USA TODAY]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gardiner Westbound @ Jan 14th 2007 8:19AM
Malcolm Bricklin is an expert at raising expectations. He has left a wake of poorer investors behind him.
Frank A @ Jan 14th 2007 8:29AM
Why does anyone believe a word this guy says? He is a great self promoter, nothing more.
zetha @ Jan 14th 2007 8:30AM
i'm chinese and i would like to know one thing? where did the chinese buy their hybrid technology from? because we all know they didn't make it themselves
kingvolcano @ Jan 14th 2007 9:20AM
I smell quality!
dave @ Jan 14th 2007 9:25AM
bricklin is nothing more than a snake oil salesman synonomous with delorean. i would'nt buy a fly swatter from him.
Jim P. @ Jan 14th 2007 10:39AM
Now now, let's not forget he did bring us the first inexpensive hybrid, the Yugo. It ran on a combination of gas or human sweat (pushing it down the road).
JB @ Jan 14th 2007 10:49AM
I don't wish him luck. He has taken too many people to the cleaners to deserve our good luck wishes.
He makes Tucker look like a squeaky-clean businessman.
He has zero credibility in my book. But as they say, fools and their money are soon parted.
iQuack @ Jan 14th 2007 2:24PM
Malcom Bricklin doesn't exist. What you see and hear is the ghost of Preston Tucker.
Graham @ Jan 14th 2007 2:46PM
"If things work out this time"??? Come on guys, Bricklin has left a 40 year trail of failed business ventures. This is going to be yet another.
Robert @ Jan 14th 2007 3:49PM
I think he needs to focus on getting something here first before he starts talking about other products. I mean a hybrid is a good idea but first bring something over that can be tested and felt (quality) before I trust something like a Hybrid.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
Oh Brother @ Jan 14th 2007 6:02PM
Is he building a hybrid for fuel conservation or for powerplant redundancy?
Gerry @ Jan 14th 2007 11:37PM
Yugo?