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Chinese Vehicle Hits The Streets

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Dec 19, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern

Chinese Vehicle Hits The Streets

Reporting
Bob Kelly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― A Chinese vehicle has arrived on American shores, and it's being sold as an economical alternative to gas-guzzling cars. CBS 3's Bob Kelly shows you this unusual vehicle, but you may not want to buy it, depending on where you live.

It might look a little funny.

"You get a lot of attention. You get people taking your picture. They're real head turners," said Bob Gallo, who uses one.

It's called the Wildfire -- a three-wheeled vehicle. Gallo of Delaware uses a Wildfire at his mulch business. He also sells them.

"It's good for running around back and forth, going to the grocery store, something like that," said Gallo.

The Wildfire gets up to 70 miles a gallon and reaches speeds up to 65 miles an hour.

CBS 3's Bob Kelly said, "Let's take a look under the hood for the engine." Turns out, the engine's under the seat.

Two models retail for less than $8,000.

You can title and register the Wildfire in Delaware and Pennsylvania -- but not as a car.

According to these states and the federal government, the Wildfire is not a car. It's a motorcycle.

Sean Kane is a vehicle safety expert. He says, the Wildfire is driving through a safety loophole in federal law.

"Selling it as a 3-wheeled motorcycle is really deceptive," said Kane. "For all intents and purposes, this vehicle really is a 3-wheeled car, not a motorcycle. And the problem with that is, of course, that they don't have to meet the same safety standards that cars have to meet."

That means the Wildfire doesn't have to undergo crash tests or stability tests.

Mike Horan of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said, "Here in New Jersey, we stand firm in ensuring that only the safest vehicles are traveling our roadways."

Don't bother trying to register a Wildfire in New Jersey. You can't.

"It's not a safe vehicle," said Horan. "If you're making sharp or quick turns, it could present an unstable environment for the driver."

The CEO of Wildfire Motors called New Jersey law "antiquated."

He told us, the vehicle is stable and safe for driving. But he does say, the Wildfire IS a motorcycle.

And look what we found in the Wildfire owner's manual -- a caution to wear a helmet.

Still, Bob Gallo says it's safe.

"With the 3 wheels, is there ever any chance of it tipping over?" Bob Kelly asked.

"Anytime I've driven 'em, it's been fine," said Gallo.

Whatever the law, Wildfires are selling. The CEO says he can barely keep up with demand.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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