The closest thing to a Hypercar is about to hit the road - in China. This month, Huatong Motors will begin producing the world's first commercial-volume vehicle that features both a composite/plastic chassis and hybrid-electric drive. These are the two most important elements of the Hypercar, developed by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).
The four-door Paradigm will weigh 1,793 pounds - about half the weight of a Chrysler Cirrus - and get 60 mpg. It is not as light or efficient as an optimized Hypercar, but it's a promising start. Most of its parts are manufactured in the U.S. and will be assembled in China.
Huatong plans to sell 5,000 Paradigms in 1999, ramping up to 30,000 a year by 2002.
This "leapfrog" technology, as RMI calls it, has the most potential in a developing country because industry is less invested in using inefficient old technologies. Huatong needs to differentiate itself in the crowded Asian market and the company isn't wedded to steel (as U.S. companies are). Combining light-weight design and hybrid-electric drive produces a fuel-efficient, durable car the company believes will appeal to the Chinese.
Learn more about Hypercars: http://www.hypercar.com
FROM
Rocky Mountain Institute Newsletter
