Wheego Whip electric car coming to U.S. in May
Bring on the Whip. That's the feeling behind the announcement today that Wheego Electric Cars, a division of RTEV, is officially launching its U.S. dealer network. Wheego says their entry into the U.S. market is well-timed because, "There is a perfect storm of macro-events that are [sic] causing the American public to take personal inventory of their habits across a wide spectrum which includes personal transportation, and RTEV is entering the marketplace at this pivotal time." The first car will be the Wheego Whip (above), which is most certainly not a smart fortwo, and the plan is to find 50 dealers in America who want to sell them. Wheego president Jeff Boyd says that applications have come in from dealers who currently carry major brands (he listed Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Saturn, and Suzuki) as well as more niche, electric-vehicle-only dealers. Despite being a low-speed NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Wheego and RTEV say that feedback has so far been overwhelmingly positive. The Whip goes on sale in May, so we don't have long to find out if they're right.
[Source: Wheego]
PRESS RELEASE:
Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Taking Applications from Dealers Now ATLANTA, Feb. 17
ATLANTA, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a division of RTEV, Inc., one of the first companies to deliver a full line of recreational and street electric LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles), today announced the official launch of its U.S. car dealer network.
"In today's difficult automotive market, more and more car dealers are looking for additions and alternatives to the traditional brands to maintain and grow their dealership business," said Jeff Boyd, president of Wheego. "Electric vehicle adoption, fueled by volatile gas prices, increasing environmental awareness, and technological advancements puts the electric vehicle industry on the cusp of major growth as consumers are increasingly making more green-conscious buying decisions. Progressive car dealers are realizing this, and we're receiving applications from a variety of dealers who also have other car lines such as Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Saturn, and Suzuki, and want to expand their product line-up and catch the wave of the emerging electric vehicle movement. No one wants to get left behind. We will launch our first car, the Wheego Whip in May with a target of 50 U.S. car dealerships appointed by then," added Boyd. "These will be a combination of traditional car dealers as well as a new type of dealer who exclusively sells electric vehicles and combines several manufacturers such ZENN, ZAP, and MILES in one dealership."
The first dealer test drives of the Wheego Whip were conducted in Ontario, CA in December, and there was unanimous praise for the car. Dave Kauffman, who is the Electric Car Specialist for EnVironmental Motors of Glendale, CA commented, "The Wheego [Whip] has great lines for a small car, and the nicest fit and finish I have seen yet in a production Electric Car. My driving experience was -- I could not drive it enough. It is just like driving a conventional car except for the LSV speed limitation. The Wheego that I drove was 100 percent ready for the customer."
"We have the best affordable electric car in the world," said RTEV CEO Mike McQuary. "While I'm obviously biased, the feedback from the experts at our premier showing and test drive validated my belief. The assumption that electric cars are impractical for everyday transportation needs goes away once you see and test-drive the Wheego Whip. Instead the light bulb goes on, and people start to envision how this car can fit into their everyday life. Our Wheego cars will fill a middle market demand at the right time, and with a national dealer network to provide service and support. I think this is a great opportunity for progressive thinking car dealers to get in on the ground floor."
Dealers can get information and applications at www.wheego.net or by emailing Jeff Boyd at jboyd@rtev.net .
About RTEV
RTEV is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The company's two product lines are Ruff & Tuff (recreational) and Wheego (street). Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, former president of MindSpring and EarthLink ISPs, RTEV has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components that distinguishes the brand from other EVs and is the first EV company to deliver affordable LSVs to the marketplace through a national dealer network.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 4:15PM (2/17/2009)
I don't mind people giving-up their dreams of been free, powerful, good looking and autonomous with this downsized car( range, power, space, road handling, recharging time, residual value, confort, speed, autonomy, prestige) as long as there is no subsidies.
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MT 4:32PM (2/17/2009)
Pretty cool... sorry to see it's in the NEV category, though. The Wheego site had a link to a test drive by EnVironmental Motors. That review mentioned it would go about 35mph and had a target retail price of $19.9k. Ouch!
I'm more open to EV's than most people and could fit one into our routine, but that's a lot of $ for that performance. I might spend $10k+ on an NEV with it's limited usage, but $20k needs to bring at least a 40-45 mph top speed. I don't need an EV to be a highway cruiser or have a lot of range, so a $40k Volt is overkill, but I sure would like to see some affordable entries a step above the golf cart class.
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Nick 10:34PM (2/17/2009)
Is this based on a Smart ForTwo or is it a real knockoff??
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Chris M 11:26PM (2/17/2009)
The drawing reminds me of the Reva, AKA the GWhiz, a NEV made in India and sold in Great Britain and a few other locales. Of course, there isn't enough detail on the website to tell for sure.
selfsilent 12:54PM (2/18/2009)
It is a poorly made fake of the smart car.
Julie 8:21AM (2/18/2009)
Not sure who's running this company but they desperately need a marketing director - Cardinal rule for launching a new product - have the website up and running with all information before you go public with the news! Geez, there isn't even a contact page to find out where they are located. How many times have we all heard "we'll have 50 dealers signed"...that's getting to be an old story.
Sorry, EV fans and friends, this is just another LSV startup that probably won't make it. They can't even show a photo, just a rendering....the car may not even go on sale.
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Potts 11:22AM (2/18/2009)
Sorry Sebastian, but this Wheego Whip is most definitely an original Smart FourTwo with some modifications. It clearly has Smarts Tridion safety cell, same shape doors with even the same design/position door handles. The door mirrors are the same, just painted silver. The interior is also belongs to a Smart FourTwo, but with a few modifications, i.e. the top of the dashboard is Smart, as are all the heater vents. The seats are also Smart.
The only thing that isn't Smart is the redesigned front and back end, plus a few extra switches inside.
Maybe the Chinese manufacturer that is mentioned in the video can build the old original Smart FourTwo under licence???
The original FourTwo was never sold in the USA, but my wife's owned one of these and I've owned one of these here in the UK. I know these cars inside-out down to the finest detail and guarantee that the Wheego Whip is a modified Smart FourTwo.
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hoov23 12:13PM (2/18/2009)
This knock-off makes me want to sell my old-gen Smart ForTwo to avoid being mistaken for someone who would drive around in a Chinese CopyCar.
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S&H 6:19AM (2/19/2009)
Yes, Potts is certainly right - this is clearly based on the original SmartCar platform. Even the front of the bumper and how it blends into the arches is the same.
It's had it's Tridion extended backwards a bit, a different boot setup and some other headlights/front panel put in, but other than that is is identical - the middle section, doors, dash, windscreen - they're all the same.
A little research will point out that Mercedes are looking to sue the maker of this car as it's such a ripoff: http://benzinsider.com/2007/08/shuanghuan-noble-vs-smart-fortwo/ - i'm surprised that a blog of this size wouldn't raise this issue?
While it's great to see more small cars like this; from an environmental standpoint it's certainly greener to alter an existing design than design and tool from scratch, but this car certainly doesn't offer that much for $20k and ripping off other people's IP to get there is just plain wrong. If it was officially licenced from Mercedes, that would be a different matter, but it doesn't look that way huh? This car's not going to change anyone's perspective, and most people would be far better off with the car it's originally based on (which i'm aware was never launched in the states - shame)
I also feel it somewhat undermines the auto-blogger who cannot spot a modified version of such a unique and well known vehicle. Especially one that then states very clearly that it isn't that car when Mercedes says otherwise. I would argue that there is more of this car that is the same as my Smart than is unique to it, and people would say "Dude, that's a Smart Fortwo!", because it basically is. Albeit a dodgy knockoff of one.
It also shows that if you take someone else's design and start bolting bits onto it you're gonna end up with something pretty ugly.
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GoingLikeSixty 3:47PM (2/19/2009)
hoov23: I'm with you. We haven't taken delivery yet- any day now. And I'm pissed that Smart didn't kill this!
I knew I would be bombarded with "is it electric" but now it will be a foregone conclusion.
This came out of now-where, I am skeptical and think this will be revealed as a hoax or fraud
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EB 7:20PM (3/06/2009)
Is this the same car as the 2009 Spark from Revolution Electric Cars? see http://revolutionevusa.com/
Hope RTEV can make it.
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Bob 4:46PM (4/26/2009)
The Spark Revolution will have a rear seat and I believe you will be able to get lithium batteries
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Jarod 5:21PM (6/29/2009)
Hopefully no one has given any money for deposits for the spark or any dealer that have cough out alot of money because you won't get your car.I ordered one back in september and got the invoice for the car and still no car nor will the answer emails,phone or faxes.These guy names are Norm Molera and Jules Rogoff and there web sight is www.revolutionevusa.com
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Robert 9:45PM (7/15/2009)
Don't order or give any deposits to Norm Molera or Jules Rogoff at Revolution Electric Vehicles .You won't get your car or money back. contact wheego.net who is the true sales correspondent for this car.
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