14 Facts About Malcolm Bricklin

Malcolm Bricklin built his father's Orlando, Florida building supply business into a franchised chain at age 19.

At the meeting, Malcolm Bricklin saw Fuji's Subaru 360 mini-car, which got up to 60 miles to a gallon of gas and did not require federalizing in the United States because it weighed under 1,000 pounds.

Malcolm Bricklin was able to secure an exclusive contract with Fuji Heavy Industries to import Subaru cars and trucks into the United States, forming Subaru of America.

In 1971, Malcolm Bricklin created a franchise named FasTrack, combining RV sales with shopping center parking lot race courses, where the public could drive one of 900 unsold Subaru 360s, modified by Bruce Myers.

The car didn't include a cigarette lighter or ashtray, as Malcolm Bricklin viewed smoking while driving as unsafe.

The Malcolm Bricklin featured a vacuum forming process with color-impregnated acrylic bonded to fiberglass body panels.

Malcolm Bricklin agreed to import the Zastava Koral, marketing it as the Yugo.

Malcolm Bricklin had his own people at the plant to monitor the effort, stressing high quality.

Malcolm Bricklin sold his interest in Yugo in 1988 for $20 million.

Malcolm Bricklin studied battery technology and formed an electric vehicle company.

In Malcolm Bricklin's and Currie's view, an electric bike was a promising first step to winning people over to the idea of electric cars.

Malcolm Bricklin staffed an Engineering office in Detroit to direct the changes required to meet and exceed safety the homologation requirements in the United States.

Malcolm Bricklin established a dealer network in the United States and Canada.

In 2022 Chery started selling cars in Mexico, but due to Malcolm Bricklin owning the Chery trademark in North America, the name 'Chirey' is used for the Mexican market instead of Chery.