With proven success stories like
Tesla struggling to keep those electric car dreams alive in today's economy, it's no shock to hear that at least one little guy (that'd be
Phoenix Motorcars) has caved to the pressures. After
reviving itself once already late last year by nailing down a partnership with the absolutely stunning state of Hawai'i, it seems the company hasn't been able to progress as planned with its intentions to bring EVs and an electric vehicle infrastructure to the island of Maui. According to a filing on April 27th, the flagging automaker has pegged the soft economy (surprise!) as well as a $5.3 million arbitration apparently won by former drivetrain supplier UQM as the main contributors to its demise. In an update to the situation, however, its CEO has replied to
AutoblogGreen in order to reaffirm that it "has not abandoned the alternative fuels transportation space." Unfortunately, that could mean absolutely anything... or nothing at all.
Read - Original filing
Read - Update from Phoenix MC
posted April 30th 2009 5:28PM
The Tesla's brother???
The brother know one know's about. Maybe a bit smart. Not as attractive. Not as much personality. Not too good at making contact. The brother the parents disavow.
I'm a huge advocate of electric cars and the like, but why do so many have to be ugly as hell?
they didn't make it, those cars were originally made by Ssangyong so you can't blaim Phoenix for the car being ugly.
but i agree that it is terribly ugly, possibly the ugliest car i have ever seen, if you have never seen one for real consider yourself lucky because they are much uglier in reality than on pictures.
That thing is ugly, but an environ friendly pickup truck is a good idea.
I hope somehow they do manage to get their deal going with Maui. I live here, have to drive for work but only put on about 50 miles a day. I sometimes need a decent amount of cargo space (drive a Wrangler right now, can take the back seat out if needed).
While gas prices have dropped quite a bit, I think I would try to pick one of these up if they manage to make it happen. Being able to use this as my work vehicle and then saving the Jeep for fun would be great. (The Jeep only gets 16mpg or so, and although a small pickup might get a few mpg better I'm not sure the savings would be worth it.)
Do I think they look great? Not really. But using it as a practical daily driver and keeping the Jeep for camping, the beach, etc, I could live with it.
Now if only Hawaii could figure out a cheaper clean energy solution...
it looks like someone took an Acura Rsx and stretched it to make this.
Hope to see them make a strong come back! There is certainly a place in the market for them.
I hated on my hybrids, but I would consider driving an EV.
BTW, it's fugly, but looks perfect for my short commute with cargo.
Isn't that a Ssangyong?
yes it is a ssangyong actyon so ugly right? :)