Amphibian Car

Gusto Alan Gibbs is contagious, as he flaunted his Aquada, an amphibious vehicle which is the speed of the boat at sea and a sports car on land.

Gibbs, founder and chairman of Gibbs Technologies, showed last Wednesday in Birmingham what he described as production-ready versions of the Aquada and Quadski with it a personal watercraft that doubles as an ATV . After a number of delays, the contractor off the New Zealand aims to start selling the amphibious vehicles in the United States by 2009. It is also developing a land and sea vehicle with Lockheed Martin for military use.

Gibbs began developing the Aquada while living in metropolitan Detroit in 1998 and 1999. Now that the car is ready for production, he wanted to sell. If the dream comes true risk Gibbs, Michigan could get some benefits. The company is Featured tycoon for technical centers, sales offices and factories in Michigan and several other states. It also intends to open an office in the Detroit metropolitan area in the near future.

The office of the House talks with suppliers likely, investors and government officials. "Personally, I would do in Detroit," Gibbs said during a news conference. "The conceptual development was done at Troy. The biggest problem with Michigan is the winters, which make it difficult test vehicles. " The Michigan Economic Development Corp. confirmed that it has had preliminary discussions with Gibbs Technologies.

In the past, entrepreneurs have tried to build and market amphibious vehicles, but with little success. The German Amphicar, a slow boat hybrid car, did not materialize because of regulatory problems and lack of interest. But Gibbs said that his are different. "The world has never been (an amphibious vehicle) which can go faster than a person walks fast on water," Gibbs said, "And a quick walk on water is not very fun. "

The Aquada three passengers, who pass from one boat to car in seconds, can reach 110 km / h on the highway and 33 km / h on fresh or saltwater. The Aquada is priced at $ 85,000. The prototype of the car has crossed the English Channel in 2003, toppling the previous record of nine amphibious car mph, said Gibbs.

The Aquada may not be equipped with a Chevrolet pickup rear role pan , but it plays more like exotic sports steering wheel mounted in the boating community and lights on the bow. Gibbs said he will meet the automotive and boating regulations.

The Quadski, an all-terrain vehicle that is part of Jet Ski and ATV part, instantly becomes a production watercraft ultimate adventure riding. Finally, there is the Humdinga, a frog that can make six military troops to a beachhead and use four-wheel drive for quiet cruising.

Gibbs said Wednesday that his company was the creation of three divisions to manage what he believes to be a tidal wave of interest. He believes that five percent of all vehicles would benefit from being amphibious. "This is not just a niche technology," he said. "Buses, sport utility vehicles, there is no limit to what we can do amphibians."

By creating innovations in partnership with Gibbs engineer Neil Jenkins, president and CEO of Gibbs Technologies. They spent more than 1 million hours and $ 100 million on the project. "There were many obstacles in the construction of the Aquada, but moving the tires of the road has been one of the greatest," Jenkins said. "Society often turned into obstacles patents it has developed new technologies or adapted old ideas with new approaches. The company has received 70 patents worldwide.