Tiny "Yugo" Car Set for a New Try at U.S. Market

DPA via BalkanPeace ^ | April 30, 2002 | Deutsche Presse-Agentur

[bob808]

BELGRADE, Apr 30, 2002

Deutsche Presse-Agentur

The American businessman who imported nearly 150,000 Serbian "Yugo" cars into the United States is interested in renewing the business which already once drove him bankrupt, local media reported Tuesday in Belgrade.

Yugo America Inc. folded in 1989, two years after the first contingent of cheap, little cars of poor reliability crossed the Atlantic.

Zastava, which sold the Yugo in the U.S. for around 4,500 dollars, also came out with a loss from the "deal of the century", but claims to have drawn "valuable experience in building modern cars".

And the founder of Yugo America, Malcolm Bricklin, has already signed a letter of intent with Zastava, the Belgrade daily Blic said.

It quoted the chairman of the Zastava board, Milorad Savicevic, as saying that talks would start in October, after Bricklin completes some market research.

"I know you´re thinking, ´Who needs to start that up over again?´ I thought the same thing myself, at first," Bricklin told Automotive News.

This time there would be higher quality, albeit also for a higher price, he said.

The report said his new venture, based in the New York area but still without a central office, is called Zastava Motor Works USA, or "ZMW".

"That´ll drive people (at BMW) crazy," Bricklin was quoted as saying.

[bob808]

"ZMW". Lol. Gotta love it....

[bob808]

Bump

[camle]

"In a used car lot on the outskirts of town a liberal guy and a liberal gal..."

"buy a yugo"

"and they drive with pride..."

Rush Limbaugh

[Bikers4Bush]

I saw the new Mini the other day. A guy up the street bought one.

It's like a giant skateboard.

[martin_fierro]

God help us all.

[martin_fierro]

Might make a nice paperweight.

[Mr. K]

I heard this on the radio- new car price - about $6000. At that price I would definitely look at one for the daily skoot back and forth to work, store...

[Phantom Lord]

As opposed to a "Beamer", these cars will be "Zeamers"

[Dan from Michigan]

Are these going to fly off the Mackinac Bridge like the last ones? No joke. A Yugo once hit a wind gust and was blown off the bridge.

[Pharmboy]

You know why they have electric defrosters on the Yugo's rear window?

To keep the driver's hands warm when he's pushing it...

[martin_fierro]

As opposed to a "Beamer", these cars will be "Zeamers"

LOL! Zeamers are to cars what Zima is to alcohol. Which is to say, a weak substitute.

[SmithW6079]

I know a lady who now uses her Yugo as a planter in her yard!

[Incorrigible]

Who will pay to rebuild the factory that NATO destroyed during its bogus bombing campaing?

[Hawkeye's Girl]

"I know you´re thinking, ´Who needs to start that up over again?´ I thought the same thing myself, at first," Bricklin told Automotive News.

This guy thought too hard about it. What does he mean, at first?!

[Bikers4Bush]

We picked one up and put it bumper to bumper between two trees in college.

It belonged to our floor RA. He didn't bother us much after that.

[MadelineZapeezda]

See similar article posted here

[Dan from Michigan]

Bwhahahahah. That's something I would do.

[jgrubbs]

Original Yugo Commercial

[Glutton]

Goody, I just can't wait to call all my friends to let them know this.

[OC_Steve]

The Auto Show Girls don't look too happy about standing next to these things.

I do know that before the demise of the Yugo, they were actively looking for consultants from the Detroit to come over and help them improve the car. They may have found some takers but I doubt it. These things will be planters by 2010!!!