Latest news with #AleksandarBjelić
Motor 1
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The New Yugo: Everything We Know
If you're unfamiliar with the name "Yugo," crack open any automotive history book and the brand likely has an entire chapter dedicated to its demise. The tiny Yugoslavian automaker grew in popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s, arriving in the US in 1985 courtesy of one Malcom Bricklin, the same man who would go on to make Subaru a household name. Unfortunately for Yugo, American buyers weren't as fond of Eastern European hatchbacks as they were of Japanese sedans. Shoddy build quality, unreliability, and terrible safety measures left many consumers writing off the brand for good. In 1992, Yugo would disappear from the US entirely and go down in history as one of the worst car brands of all time. There's even an iconic Simpsons episode partly inspired by Yugo's failures. Despite those faults, though, Yugo somehow survived in Europe for nearly 30 years before ultimately closing up shop in 2008. Even up into the late 2000s, the company was still trotting out the same no-nonsense, cheap hatchback that had been on the market for two decades prior—albeit with minor updates to keep things fresh. Now, more than 17 years later, the Yugo brand is back—and its new owners have big plans for the small hatchback. Here's what we know so far. So, Yugo Is Back? Yugo 45 Photo by: Yugo That's right, the auto brand that was the butt of so many jokes is back from the dead . In 2025, university professor Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić purchased the rights to Yugo with plans to bring a new hatchback to market. Bjelić is an engineer and economist who claims to have decades of experience in the auto industry. Bjelić filed trademarks to use the Yugo name worldwide, and hired a Serbian designer to come up with the new vehicle's look, which the company showed in sketches earlier this year before releasing a scale model. What Will It Look Like? New Yugo Rendering By Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 The new Yugo will retain some retro charm, but the design will mostly fall in line with the many other three- and five-door hatchbacks on the market today (specifically in Europe). The design was penned by Darko Marčeta and unveiled as a scale model at this year's Car Design Event in Munich. The first concept (used as the basis of our rendering, pictured here) has a three-door layout with a sleek roofline and a tapered profile. It almost resembles the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or upcoming Rivian R3 . The new concept does have some shades of the original Yugo, particularly its boxy proportions, but the design is otherwise clean and straightforward. Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 LED headlights with a lightbar adorn the front end, uniquely styled LED taillights with an illuminated "YUGO" logo litter the tailgate, and the five-spoke wheels make it all look a bit sportier. There's even a unique brake light detail above the rear glass in the shape of a "Y." We don't know what the interior will look like, and we probably won't know until the first fully functional prototype debuts. What's Under The Hood? Yugo Sana Photo by: Yugo Yugo promises to offer a wide variety of powertrains, ranging from pure gas to hybrid and electric. The entry-level Yugo trims will likely get turbocharged gas engines, with options for hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and potentially an EV down the line. The company says it even wants a performance variant, as well as automatic and manual transmission options. CEO Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić reportedly hinted at the company using an already established platform —in theory, something like Volkswagen's versatile MQB architecture. But, Yugo has yet to disclose which companies they are currently in talks with, if any. Due to Europe's stringent emissions regulations, Yugo would have to partner with an established automaker for a current platform or develop an entirely new one from scratch. How Much Will The New Yugo Cost? Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 The original Yugos were known for their affordability. At one point, Yugo had the cheapest new car in the US, with an asking price of $3,990. Don't expect this new one to be that cheap, though. Yugo's new hatchback will compete with other subcompacts throughout Europe like the Citroen C3, Dacia Sandero, Renault Clio, and Volkswagen Polo . That should give it a starting price of anywhere from £20,000 to £25,000. Will The New Yugo Come To The US? Our best guess? Probably not. Even though Yugo's new CEO has trademarked the name worldwide, we don't expect to see the small hatchback in the US. Given its size and market positioning, Yugo is primed to compete specifically throughout the European Union. When Will We See It? It's hard to imagine that the new Yugo will be on the market anytime soon. Beyond sketches and a scale model, the brand currently has no dedicated facilities for designing or manufacturing its hatchback. The company did say that a fully functional prototype would debut at the Belgrade Expo in 2027, with production slated to kick off that same year. But, we're highly skeptical. More Of What We Know 2026 Kia Telluride: Everything We Know 2027 Nissan Maxima: Everything We Know Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Worst Car in History,' the Yugo, Is Making a Major Comeback
A car dubbed the "worst car in history" is making a comeback even though it hasn't been sold in the United States since the 1990s and went defunct globally about 17 years ago. A local library in the U.S. even has a blog post on its website devoted to the car, along with the headline, "The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History." "Poorly engineered, ugly, and cheap, it survived much longer as a punch line for comedians than it did as a vehicle on the roads," that post reads, calling it the "ultimate automotive failure." But now it has a retro feel that is According to Autopian, the car, called the Zastava Yugo, is an "Eastern European bargain-basement car that has advanced to cult status." The car, which is known for its boxy look, was launched 45 years ago "based on Fiat technology," the site reported. "It was a hit on the domestic market and was subsequently exported, where it earned quite a bit of respect," Autopian reported. But then it faded away, leaving the U.S. market completely in 1992 and going out of production globally in 2008, a victim, in part, of the Yugoslavia War, Autopian reported. But now the Yugo is coming back. On May 6, 2025, a scale model of the new Yugo was unveiled, according to Car Magazine. According to the company "traveled to the Car Design Event 2025 held in Munich, Germany, to show a 1:5-scale model of its upcoming econobox." The site proclaimed it "really cool." The design is not exactly like the Yugos of lore, but rather is a "logical continuation of its predecessor," reported. According to Car Magazine, the Yugo brand was purchased by Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić, who has "links to the automotive industry in Germany." The scale model introduced in Munich is the car that Bjelić intends "to put forward for production," the site reported. More details will come in September, and the brand may even produce an electric version, Car Magazine reported, although it's not clear which markets the new Yugos will be sold in or when.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Serbia's Yugo Cult Car Could Be Back On The Road By 2027
Budget cult brand Yugo has been reborn, and promises a running prototype of its eponymous comeback ... More car by 2027. Photo: Yugo. Serbian budget car brand Yugo is back. Almost. Just three months after the announcement of the brand's rebirth, it showed a 1:5 scale model of its promised new Yugo at the Car Design Event in Munich, Germany, last week. Yugo promised the hatchback will be true to the brand's traditional budget ethos, with only two doors in the B-segment (or subcompact) market. Boasting a clean design that could have come from any number of European hatch specialists, the Yugo is yet to be given a specific model name, despite there being plans for three different models. A sporty derivative of the Yugo will be announced at the Car Design Event Classic in September, while fans of the cult brand will have to wait until the 2027 Belgrade Expo to see a fully functioning prototype. Only a scale model so far, but Yugo promises to return with a fun, affordable two-door hatch. Photo: ... More Yugo. Yugo, lead by Professor Doctor Aleksandar Bjelić, promises to deliver a fun, affordable car that will meet global safety standards and launch with both manual and automatic transmissions attached to combustion engines. Electric versions are 'possible' (not probable) and there will be different body styles, too. The new model reveal comes 17 years after production of the Zastava Automobiles Yugo GV (as it was called in the U.S.) ended, having spent 28 years developing a cult following despite a reputation for poor build quality and reliability. Malcolm Bricklin introduced Yugo to the United States in 1985, achieving surprising success, with 48,812 sales in 1987 alone, despite it being the slowest car sold in the country. By 1992, that figure had fallen to just 1412, and Yugo departed U.S. showrooms having pushed 141,651 cars through to the streets. The original Yugos were very Yugoslavian cars, with parts made in Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina, as well as Serbia. But Yugo's demise saw the ascent of Dacia, in neighboring Romania, and the Renault Group's budget brand is one of the rising sales stars of the European car market.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
First look at 80s-inspired supermini being brought back to life almost 20 YEARS after long-forgotten carmaker went bust
The vehicle went bust nearly two decades ago CAR BLIMEY First look at 80s-inspired supermini being brought back to life almost 20 YEARS after long-forgotten carmaker went bust A LONG-forgotten car brand has returned after decades away with an 80s-inspired supermini. Zastava Yugo, most commonly marketed as Yugo, was originally designed as a shortened version of the Fiat 128. 2 The Zastava Yugo is making a comeback with an 80s-inspired supermini Credit: Instagram 2 The company hopes to launch the new hatchback in 2027 Credit: Instagram Its production began in the 1980s and ceased in 2008. The fresh vehicle - revealed as a 1:5 scale model at Car Design Event in Munich, has drawn inspiration from the Fiat's model. Dr Aleksandar Bjelić, a Serbian professor, has enlisted compatriot designer Darko Marčeta, who has lifted the lid on what the future Yugo will look like. The latter's eye-catching design will give the Yugo a modern aesthetic - complete with slim LED lights front and rear, bulky alloy wheels and flush-fitting door handles. As more brands announce plans to introduce cheap entry-level EVs to encourage motorists to make the switch away from petrol and diesel cars, the revival of Yugo couldn't be more timely. For those not ready to make the switch just yet, the upcoming Yugo will be available in either a petrol or electric powertrain. The owner hopes to launch the new hatchback in 2027, but plans to introduce the car to the UK remain unknown. In the meantime, the company plans to raise publicity for the model by using a fleet of classic Yugos to drive from Kragujevac, Serbia to Mount Kilimanjaro. The trip is a recreation of one originally made by the company in 1975. ENGINE RESTART It comes after a huge car brand looks set to be brought back after 14 years with an "entirely new vehicle" that will rival one major off-roader. Flying car wows Clarkson, Hammond and May on Grand Tour episode The sparkling set of wheels is catching the attention of off-roaders now the Chinese-funded motor is back on the scene. Spanish 4x4 manufacturer Santana has been given a new lease of life thanks to backing from Chinese firm Zhengzhou Nissan. Together they have produced a brand spanking new model which offers a choice of diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The motor is "designed for -if-road enthusiasts" and is said to contend with the iconic Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster - a rugged, trusty pick-up truck. Information about Santana's new vehicle has been kept very hush-hush with images simply showing a cloaked car. The sultry silhouette of the motor teases its chunky shape, but that's about it. Santana promised fans it would reveal the entire model range at the end of 2-25. The motors are being produced in the former Santana plant in Linares, Spain. Santana was originally founded in 1956 as Metalúrgica de Santa Ana S.A and began manufacturing Land Rovers under licence in Spain a couple of years later.
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
First look at 80s-inspired supermini being brought back to life almost 20 YEARS after long-forgotten carmaker went bust
A LONG-forgotten car brand has returned after decades away with an 80s-inspired supermini. Zastava Yugo, most commonly marketed as Yugo, was originally designed as a shortened version of the Fiat 128. 2 The Zastava Yugo is making a comeback with an 80s-inspired supermini Credit: Instagram 2 The company hopes to launch the new hatchback in 2027 Credit: Instagram Its production began in the 1980s and ceased in 2008. The fresh vehicle - revealed as a 1:5 scale model at Car Design Event in Munich, has drawn inspiration from the Fiat's model. Dr Aleksandar Bjelić, a Serbian professor, has enlisted compatriot designer Darko Marčeta, who has lifted the lid on what the future Yugo will look like. The latter's eye-catching design will give the Yugo a modern aesthetic - complete with slim LED lights front and rear, bulky alloy wheels and flush-fitting door handles . read more in motors As more brands announce plans to introduce cheap entry-level EVs to encourage motorists to make the switch away from petrol and diesel cars, the revival of Yugo couldn't be more timely. For those not ready to make the switch just yet, the upcoming Yugo will be available in either a petrol or The owner hopes to launch the new hatchback in 2027, but plans to introduce the car to the UK remain unknown. In the meantime, the company plans to raise publicity for the model by using a fleet of classic Yugos to drive from Kragujevac, Most read in Motors The trip is a recreation of one originally made by the company in 1975. ENGINE RESTART It comes after a huge car brand looks Flying car wows Clarkson, Hammond and May on Grand Tour episode The sparkling set of wheels is catching the attention of off-roaders now the Chinese-funded motor is back on the scene. Spanish 4x4 manufacturer Santana has been given a new lease of life thanks to backing from Chinese firm Zhengzhou Nissan. Together they have produced a brand spanking new model which offers a choice of diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The motor is "designed for -if-road enthusiasts" and is said to contend with the iconic Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster - a rugged, trusty pick-up truck. Information about Santana's new vehicle has been kept very hush-hush with images simply showing a cloaked car. The sultry silhouette of the motor teases its chunky shape, but that's about it. Santana promised fans it would reveal the entire model range at the end of 2-25. The motors are being produced in the former Santana plant in Linares, Spain. Santana was originally founded in 1956 as Metalúrgica de Santa Ana S.A and began manufacturing Land Rovers under licence in Spain a couple of years later.
