Heuliez files for insolvency, Friendly EV in doubt?
A French court has granted coachbuilder and hopeful electric vehicle manufacturer Heuliez protection from its creditors for a period of six months. Right now, the company is working on a restructuring plan that would prove to the French government that it's worth an investment of 10 million euros (£8.8 million, $13 million U.S.), but those funds weren't granted in time for Heuliez to avoid insolvency.
While Heuliez is most known for helping European automakers like Vauxhall, Opel and Peugeot manufacture retractable hardtop mechanisms, the French company has more recently been working with energy provider EDF on the development of electric vehicles. Just last month, Heuliez announced it was accepting orders for the Friendly, a 12,000 euro ($15,500 in the U.S.) three-seat electric vehicle powered by a nickel-based battery pack.
We're not certain at this point how the firm's financial hardships will affect the delivery times of its Friendly EV. Deliverys had been expected in February of 2010.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 12:34AM (4/17/2009)
By next year the competition in EVs is going to be brutal. Timing is key and it looks like Tesla is ahead, although too pricey for most. Most people need an EV that they can charge at home, get out on the freeway to work and back and then charge again overnight, and it shouldn't cost any more that a compact car. Somebody will supply it, and it will be a success. I see nothing on the showroom at this time meets those qualifications.
We will have to be patient.
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modocars 3:12AM (4/17/2009)
Yes, We will have to be patient.
http://modocars.com
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dvader 8:25AM (4/17/2009)
Nice concept but that step will take off a leg or two.
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Chadwick 6:29PM (4/20/2009)
Why do designers feel the need to build deathtraps. Did we not learn with the Prius and the Insight that electric cars do not have to look ugly. Did we not yet learn that as long as HUGE suv's, pickup trucks, and transport trucks are on the road things like this car, the "peapod" car and the smart car are death traps? Or are these cars for city driving only? Start thinking about the whole f*cking picture, no one wants ugly cars, no wants to be squished into a sardine can that will only get smaller in an accident. The Chevy Volt is the best hybrid car I have ever seen, the Tesla is the best 100% electric car I have seen, with Aptera 2e close behind.
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