smart competition?

[dbatch1715]

ECO Motor Company - Welcome to EMC3 - The Shape of the Future - 60+ MPG EMC3 Commuter

[SmartAnita]

Nice colors!

[smartHHO]

Nice colors and what not, but don't think it is competition really. After reading the about us section. It is classified as a "Motorcycle". So, it actually makes it so they can ride in the carpool lane. So, if you compare it to the smart, it is better in that way and the gas milage. But, that being said, I think since they classify it as a "motorcycle", it propably has a motorcycle engine. Otherwise, you have those damn smog restrictions. I have yet to really look at the engine and what not. But look at what ppl did by putting that one motorcycle engine into the smart. Made it fast as hell, but also, I bet the MPG was way up. And, I would have to guess, with a motorcycle engine, you probably could classify it as a motorcycle. Unless there is a # of max wheels allowed. IE 3 in the example of a trike. (Not sure of spelling )

[forestacademy]

Nice Price

[dbatch1715]

It looks like it has a 1 litre 3 cylinder engine like the smart, just not as much horsepower because it takes regular gas.

[Karl Roth]

Nice trike, not in the smarts class of machine. I would love to see some other micro cars arrive her in the states. Waited a long time for the smart, will see.
karl

[Krodista]

Notice in the "about" section that it is deemed a motorcycle. This would make the vehicle cheaper to insure, but at the same time it also would mean that it wouldn't have to get a crash test rating, which means it overall may or may not be safe. I would want to see this put though crash testing even if the score wouldnt matter just to make sure that it was something that would at least hold up. Also, it says its launching early 09, but it doesnt seem to talk about how rapidly they will be sending them out or when they will start the process. I would be interested in knowing where the engine was sourced from. The styling leaves something to be wanted, but I understand the rounded nature is what makes up the shape. Since the topic is up and I dont know if this has ever come up...but here is a better option in my opinion

Aptera

[Karl Roth]

The Aptera is nice but you have to live in CA to even think about getting one at the moment...
karl

[Krodista]

yes, it may be in CA only right now, but at least there is a clear business plan.

[Dunerunner]

Nov 5th 2008 at 3:36PM by Jeremy Korzeniewski

"The long-rumored return of the Isetta brand seems like a virtual lock, if not in name at least in spirit as part of BMW's Strategy Number ONE plan. Included in the new plan are further inroads with the automaker's EfficientDynamics project and both electric and gas-powered city cars."

Sources: Automotive News - sub. req'd, BMW