I mentioned FOMM in my report on the Bangkok International Motor Show. I thought the concept was good, but was doubtful as to whether the little city runabout would reach production.
Hideo Tsurumaki, the CEO of FOMM Corporation had made the statement:
“Automobiles are currently an indispensable part of our lives. However, it is not always easy for everyone to use them. Here is FOMM. We would like to take advantage of the special features of Electric Vehicles and create Compact Electric Vehicles to be familiar and ideal Electric Vehicles for short-range transportation. It is not an ordinary Electric Vehicle that an engine merely replaces a motor, but an Electric Vehicle providing customers a new level of value and bringing innovation to their lives. “My dream” is to make such Electric Vehicles a reality from planning and development, and “My motivation” is to see these Electric Vehicles dashing around the city and the smiling faces of customers driving them. The opportunity to develop Compact Electric Vehicles will provide the impetus to create motorcycles and automobiles in new configurations.”
Seven months later comes the report that FOMM Corporation has been granted BOI incentives to assemble the funny little FOMM EV. It would appear that FOMM was just waiting for BOI approval and incentives.
Look upon the FOMM as an Asian SMART, but much cheaper. In congested cities like Bangkok, the populace running around in tiny FOMMs would certainly help decrease pollution and congestion; however, they could never supplant the ubiquitous pick-up outside the Bangkok environment.
