Rinspeed’s Cars
I found an article from The Associated Press about the Geneva Auto Show that is currently going on right now has a business called Rinspeedthat specializes in customizing cars. What’s interesting is the story behind the Rinspeed company. Frank M. Rinderknecht, the owner of Rinspeed, was 18 years old and just wanted a car that nobody else had, so he fixed one up himself. Then, in 1975, he came to America, bought a sunroof, that was a novelty at the time in Switzerland, and installed it into his car. People thought he was nuts cutting a hole in the roof of his car! Thirty-five years later, Rinspeed is making more outlandish concept cars as the years go on.
In 2007, Rinspeed introduced the eXasis, which is a ”glass” car with a completely transparent body and floor. In 2008, Rinspeed introduced the sQuba, which could swim under water. Crazy cars! This year at the Geneva Auto Show, they are showing off their newest concept called iChange. To me, this is by far the most unique car that Rinspeed has created. This futuristic sports car adapts to the number of people that are on board. Also, many of the features of the car can be controlled by using an Apple iPod, such as the moonroof, ignition, and the onboard entertainment system. These concept cars are not cheap to make. Rinspeed spent about 1 million euro ($1,265,000) to build the iChange. Rinderknecht says that this is his advertising expense to show off Rinspeed’s designing skills. I guess creating a new outlandish concept car each year is a beneficial way to advertise. So, if you are looking to buy a car that no one else has, go no further than the Rinspeed.