The Moynihan Report Carmaking legend Malcolm Bricklin on the Yugo, entrepreneurship, and the advice he gave Elon | The Moynihan Report
Jul 9, 2025
Malcolm Bricklin, an automotive entrepreneur famed for introducing Subaru and the Yugo to America, discusses his innovative journey in the car industry. He shares lively stories about the Yugo's quirky reputation and reveals insights on electric vehicles, including his vision for the Bricklin 3EV. Bricklin also reflects on handling criticism and imparts advice he once gave Elon Musk. With a penchant for resilience and collaboration, he emphasizes the importance of wise advisors in entrepreneurship. The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted take on desert island essentials.
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Early EV Charging Frustrations
- Malcolm Bricklin shared his frustration with charging electric cars during early prototype testing.
- He decided to install a 220V charger at home to avoid wasting time, highlighting the need for home charging solutions.
Uniting Competing Italian Designers
- Malcolm Bricklin described managing two acclaimed Italian design houses, Pininfarina and Bertone.
- They never met before, so he had to get them to meet and cooperate for his renamed Fiat Spider cars.
Reviving Yugo Factory in Yugoslavia
- Bricklin took on the challenge of importing and improving poor factory conditions in communist Yugoslavia to sell the Yugo car.
- They cleaned floors, improved painting, and handled strict regulations to turn Yugos into a fast-growing export success.
