EXCLUSIVE I'm the man bringing 'worst car in history' back to life: The original wasn't as bad as people say...

There are plenty of terrible cars from years gone by - too many to name, in fact.
But few garnered a reputation quite as bad as one particularly infamous 1980s motor produced in former Yugoslavia that became Britain's cheapest car of the decade.
While thousands were sold in the UK, it has gone down in folklore as the 'worst car in history'. In fact, there's a book dedicated to its flawed past.
Though not everyone agrees. Certainly not Dr Aleksandar Bjelić, the man who plans to revive the name for the 21st century.
Bjelić, a professor with a 20-years background in the automotive sector, is steering - and funding - the relaunch of the Yugo.
In an exclusive interview with This is Money, he explains what the future looks like for the reborn brand, how he intends to bring six cars to market - including a roadster and SUV - and why the original 1980s Yugo wasn't as bad as many try to make out...
The Yugo 45 originally entered the UK market in 1981 as a rebodied Fiat 127 with a simple box shape penned by famed styling house ItalDesign and an incredibly crude cabin short of luxuries.
Under the bonnet was a choice of three Fiat petrol engines, all modest capacities from 903cc to 1,301cc. It even sold a 'convertible' variant with a power roof.
And it was seriously cheap.
By the time UK imports ceased in 1991 due to the outbreak of the Yugoslav civil war, the Eastern Bloc car was being sold new for just £2,795 - that's the equivalent of just £8,600 in 2025 respective of inflation.
At the height of its popularity, around 3,000 Yugos were sold in the UK per year. But few survive today due to catastrophic rust.
In fact, by 2018, official registrations data suggested that the thousands once owned had plummeted to a mere 19 on the road.
Half a decade later, UK numbers dwindled to just nine.
And today, we have it on good authority that only two Yugo 45s have endured.
The Yugo also made it across the Atlantic to the US, where 142,000 were purchased between 1985 and 1992.
Costing just $4,000, it was instantly renowned for being poorly engineered, ugly, and rudimentary.
Long before Yugos stopped being imported into America, it had become the butt of every automotive joke, like: 'Why do Yugo's have a heater for the back window? To keep your hands warm when pushing it.'
Jason Vuic's 2010 book 'The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History', explains: 'Six months after its American introduction in 1985, the Yugo had become a punch line; within a year, it was a staple of late-night comedy.'
In 1999, during NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, the Zastava car factory in Kragujevac, where Yugo cars were produced, was targeted and damaged, though not completely destroyed.
Incredibly, Yugo continued to be produced for the domestic market in Serbia under the name Zastava Koral some 17 years after it was pulled from the UK. The final model rolled off the Serbian assembly line on 21 November 2008.
A decade later, Group Zastava Vehicles and its subsidiaries entered a bankruptcy procedure.
But Yugo is set to embark on a dramatic return as an affordable three-door model under the reborn name Yugo Automobile, which is spearheaded by Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić, a German professor of Serbian descent.
His concept Yugo Siaj caused a global stir when it debuted earlier this month at the Car Design Event in Munich - which you can read more about here.
This is Money spoke exclusively to Dr Aleksandar Bjelić following the unveiling to discuss his passion for Yugo, his plans to revive it, and why he believes the original car wasn't as bad as many think...
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Q&A with Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić, CEO Yugo Automobile
Tell us more about yourself?
I'm 50 years old, born in Germany where I also live, but throughout my professional career I've had the chance to live in the US and Switzerland. I'm married and have two daughters.
I studied international technical sales and have a PhD in Risk Management in Contemporary Organisations.
I've lectured at the University of Aalen in Germany and Belgrade, Serbia, and specialise in sales, marketing, business development, foreign (trade-) markets, international businesses, and entrepreneurship.
What background do you have in the automotive sector?
Globo GmbH, the oldest car care brand worldwide, is one of the companies within my holding.
My automotive background comes from more than 20 active years in several national and international management stations in the automotive sector, at ZF, Bosch, Behr and others.
I have developed a strong network within OEMs and Tiers 1s. These provide lots of valuable input and advice for my Yugo project.
Beside the business-related issues, I'm a car collector, classic and sportscar driver and racer, active member in several automobile clubs and representative of FIVA, the global classic car federation.
Does the original Yugo have a special place in your heart?
Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't go on such a crazy journey with the new Yugo.
The first Yugo reminds me of my childhood. When I had been in Yugoslavia with my parents, most of my relatives had a Yugo or a Zastava.
My first driving experiences were in an old Yugo 45 from my uncle in Serbia at the age of 13. I assume that was the start of my passion as a petrol head.
What is special about the Yugo name and why do you want to bring it back?
What's special about the name Yugo is its origins. Most of the people think 'Yugo' derives from the name Yugoslavia. However, this is untrue. The very first models were called Jugo with a 'J' because it was named after the warm and humid Adriatic wind that blows from the south.
The Yugo name is important to me because it was a home-made car, created by the Yugoslavians and with parts from all over the country.
Furthermore, Yugo had the same intention as Ford with the Model T and Volkswagen with the Beetle: to create a car for everyone.
The Yugo earned the moniker the 'worst car in history'. Do you think this is fair and is your aim to repair its reputation?
The first Yugo received the title 'the worst car in history' from the Americans.
Nevertheless, you have to take into consideration that in 1985, when Yugo was exported to the US for the first time, it has been the most imported car of all brands in that year.
Nowadays, the Yugo has a very strong fan base and an iconic status. Therefore, there is no need to repair the reputation as it was not as bad as many Americans described it.
You also have to consider its price of $3,990. Cars twice the price of the Yugo were no worse and certainly no better.
You have enlisted the help of vehicle designer Darko Marčeta. Is it important that a Serbian is penning the new Yugo?
Darko has previously designed multi-functional armoured vehicles. It is not important that the designer is Serbian or former Yugoslavian or any other nationality. What's important is that he's good and understands what the requirements of the new Yugo are.
But I must admit, it is lovely to see how engaged and involved a person from ex-Yugoslavia is when it comes to the new Yugo - and this is an important factor as well, of course.
We are currently a small team of just seven people, including Darko and myself. However, we have several advisors and mentors who support us. The company is based in Germany, but we will soon open a subsidiary in Serbia.
Currently, I'm funding the project.
What will the first Yugo be called?
The name of the first model of the new Yugo brand - a small three-door hatchback - is Siaj.
This is a combination of the first letters of the names of my children: Saleena Isabella and Alisa Jasmin.
In the international language of Esperanto, Siaj also means 'to be'.
Who is the new Yugo aimed at? Is it older motorists who remember the original Yugo or younger drivers wanting cheap motoring?
I think this will be a mixture between the younger and older generation. The older ones who remember the first Yugo with that nostalgic touch and the younger ones looking for an affordable driving machine which is fun.
The size of the car is also an attribute that will cater for both.
Where will Yugos be sold?
We see Yugo being available in all relevant markets where brands like Dacia and Fiat are currently sold.
Of course, due to the history, markets in the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans will be a strong focus, but not exclusively.
Given the poor reputation of the original Yugo in America, will it also be available there?
If I was the only decision maker, I would definitely target the US.
Despite Yugo's bad reputation and jokes about the car in the past, the fanbase in America is growing and growing - I follow several US car meets and am part of communities and can see this happening.
I will give my recommendation to launch in the US because the market size is huge and there is room for a small car for the US market, but this [decision] is not entirely depending on myself.
Bjelić says he is seeking an automotive 'cooperation partner' to turn the concept into reality to produce it on a borrowed platform
You have said that you hope to unveil a full-scale prototype at the Belgrade Expo in 2027. Will this be a running prototype with an engine?
That's not only a hope. It is a fact. We will present in 2027 a running prototype with a four-cylinder combustion engine. The team already started the work.
The engine and drivetrain is provided by a partner, which I cannot name yet.
When do you hope the first production car could be launched?
We are currently looking for a 'cooperation partner' to manufacture the Siaj. So, it will depend on when we secure an OEM for series production. If the right partner can be found at the latest by 2027, then manufacturing might start in 2028/2029.
What engine do you think would best suit the Yugo Siaj?
The prototype will use a four-cylinder engine, and we want the production model to have a choice of a 120hp 1.2-litre unit or a 150hp 1.4-litre motor.
In my opinion, this is the best option for such a passenger vehicle of compact size and weight. It has potential for a pocket rocket.
How much do you expect the Yugo Siaj to cost when it does launch?
The target is to be below €20,000 (£17,000). This is a must, otherwise the philosophy behind the Yugo would fail.
It will be an entry level model but with all the major needs of a modern car, such as keyless entry, electric windows and mirrors, climate control and navigation - this needs to be included but it must remain below €20,000, else the project would fail.
This is realistic. I have spoken to OEMs and producers about costs and structures and it's not something that can't be met.
What other Yugo models are in the pipeline?
We have designed six months in total including Siaj. We are currently working with high pressure on a two-door Yugo Roadster, which will be presented in a 1:5 scale model in Germany in September.
And in October, we will be in New York presenting a Yugo SUV.
A five-door hatchback, convertible four-seat model [a nod back to the soft-top original], and high-roof minivan for commercial use [similar to a VW Caddy] are under development.

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Daily Mail​

32 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE Developer at war with posh owners of £500k beach huts over floating 'party bar' directly in front of their properties

The developer behind a controversial floating restaurant, which has enraged the owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts, has labelled the council's decision to reject his application as 'hypocritical' and 'ridiculous'. Paul Trickett, 66, and his wife Virginia, 50, had sought to bring a fully licensed premises called Christchurch Harbour Kitchen to the waters of the idyllic Mudeford Spit in Bournemouth. He has even begun building the float, which he says will seat around 50 people and had hoped to play 'ambient' music from 8am until 7pm while selling alcohol until 10.30pm with meals such as fresh fish, steak and lobster. But a council meeting saw his licensing application thrown out, and the 66-year-old says he is now gearing up to take Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to the courtroom. Mr Trickett found himself locked in a weeks-long feud with hut owners on the Spit, who said they would be 'traumatised' by the disruption of their sea views and the prospect of drunken revellers urinating off the vessel. He has since hit back at those claims, insisting that it would not be a 'party boat' and that he wanted to give people the chance 'enjoy themselves' by having a meal while watching the sunset on the water. Speaking this week to MailOnline, Mr Trickett vowed that he will still sell food on the Spit this summer - even to those who vehemently objected to his proposals. 'We'll be there selling food shortly so the restaurant will carry on,' he said. 'With a premise licence we would've had to be in a fixed place and on that same spot all the time. 'But without it we can go anywhere we like. We could go round to the beach tonight if we wanted. 'And we have temporary licenses we can use. There's no problem with them, you just apply. We have up to 50 of those to use during the summer. So we could do that.' Mr Trickett and his wife are from Christchurch and he said the idea for the food float came to him after he waited more than an hour to be served fish and chips at a local establishment. The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will have a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside. He also said he wanted to give 'healthy competition' to the Beach House, which is the only currently licensed restaurant and cafe on the Spit. The Beach House building burnt down in November 2018 and has currently been replaced by a temporary cafe, operating from three shipping containers while the council make plans for a replacement. 'It's a monopoly,' he said. 'But there's no reason I can't go down there. 'I'm not going to be down there every day. It's not going to be in the winter. It's not going to be in early spring. Just the summer months. And I'm looking forward to it.' In total Mr Trickett said his application received 37 objections, with two subsequently withdrawn. As the Spit has just under 350 beach huts, the 66-year-old believes that a silent majority actually support his plans. 'I know that there are lots of them who can't wait for another option down there,' he added. MailOnline visited the Spit prior to the BCP Council decision being finalised to speak with hut owners, renters and regular visitors about how they felt about the plans. And while only a smattering supported the idea - citing high prices at the Beach House as a reason - many who were happy to speak about the proposals were in dismay at what Mr Trickett had put forward. With huts on the Spit fetching almost £500,000, and are permitted to be slept in from March until October, some owners believed that the premium price should be rewarded with serenity. Julia Greenham, 72, from Bristol, purchased her 'Bournemouth bolthole' in 2009 for around £100,000 and said she was 'so angry' after hearing of the plans. The actress and singer continued: 'We all are. Those huts are worth almost half a million, and nobody told us formally. We just saw a planning notice on a bit of blue paper in front of my hut. 'I'm traumatised because my hut is worth more to me than most other things in my life. I adore it, it's where I come for solace. 'I don't want a b****y restaurant floating along in front of me with a licence for drink and music when I've got that already. It's ridiculous.' 'They mean a lot to everyone. It's the tranquility and view that you go there for.' Mrs Greenham says the venue getting a licence would also encourage far-flung visitors to spend the day who would end up drinking to the point of being 'trollied'. 'We have a silent code of conduct on the Spit,' she continued. 'Everybody knows how to have a great time and behave themselves, but I can't imagine if people are coming from town that they won't understand that and abuse it. 'It's very sad. I'm not a prude at all. I'm the person that's there first in line for a party. 'But to have a restaurant in front of the view that people pay almost half a million for is barking, that's what it is.' 'Everybody's incensed about it. I think I can pretty much say all of the owners are not happy at all. The only ones I've spoken to are all outraged as much as I am.' The proposals by Mr Trickett would have saw the restaurant moored on the water in front of Mrs Greenham's beach hut. And this would have affected Yvonne Manning, 63, from Surrey, who rents the hut every year from Mrs Greenham. A regular on the Spit for years, the 63-year-old said she would have no longer been interested in visiting if the plans went through. She said: 'The beauty is just the naturalness of the place. There's no Wi-Fi, kids can skim stones, paddle and all of that stuff. My daughter loves it and comes with her friends. 'But I'd be reluctant to stay here if it was to come. I certainly wouldn't pay [Mrs Greenham] to come here if so she'd be losing income if it was there. 'It just wouldn't fit.' Steve Barratt, 74, who is the former chairman and current committee member of Mudeford Sandbank Beach Huts Association (MSBHA), doubted that BCP's decision would halt Mr Trickett's plans. He said: 'I think he's just an opportunist and he's got an idea and wants to go for it. I think even if he doesn't get permission, he might even put it down here, just to see what the reaction is. But Mr Barratt says he doesn't think the 'stupid idea' will last very long, casting doubts over the restaurant's appeal. 'They'll probably have a chemical toilet on board,' he added. 'They'd have to take that away with them. I doubt they'd empty it over the side unless they were being a bit cavalier. 'It's not going to be a particularly savoury environment and I can't see people being attracted to it. 'If there's a cavalier personality running it, then who knows where the oil they use to cook is going to end up. The 74-year-old's wife, Jennie, added that the full ordeal was 'cloud cuckoo land.' A point of concern for the council was 'how hazardous toilet/sanitary waste would be disposed of' particularly on busier days. Mr Trickett insisted that he had built a 'posh thing' that would limit smells on board and allow for easy disposal thanks to its cassette function - which are the toilet builds typically found in caravans and motorhomes. But the idea that there would only one loo on board struck fear in locals who said drunken tourists may urinate off the vessel if it were to be occupied. Jim Longman, 69, who owns a hut with his wife Sallie, said he was concerned that if the only toilet on board was occupied that 'people might p**s over the edge'. He added: 'I don't know how they're going to connect their toilet to the mains, so how and where are they going to pump it out? 'You've also got the problem where if it's open that late and people are getting drunk they then may think 'Oh we've got to walk back but we can steal a boat and go across to the run and make that distance shorter'. The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will have a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside 'I believe the developer's argument is that he wanted his wife to have something to do as a business interest, and so he's building this thing with little foresight. Just buy her a bloody dog.' Mrs Longman, 61, told how urination had been a problem on the beach when alcohol has been previously involved - potentially sparking these fears. She said: 'When the cafe had an event called 'Sax on the Beach' it got out of control and people were p*****g outside. 'There are a lot of kids around, it's quite Enid Blyton-esque down here. It's just not that kind of vibe at this beach, they should go to Sobo or Sandbanks for that.' She also believes that Mr Trickett has been 'arrogant' throughout the process. 'He's telling people that everyone's for it and most of them are really not,' she continued. 'He wants to play music which will affect almost all of this area. 'It might be a quiet breakfast vibe but nevertheless, sometimes it's nice to have no noise. If you want to play music you can, but you can't ask a restaurant to turn their music down. 'The waves and sound of the birds is lovely, not their choice of music inflicted on you. I can't think of anything good about it to be honest. 'A floating pontoon with oil hot enough to do fish and chips for up to 70 people, does that sound like a safe idea?' Mr Trickett labelled accusations of his prospective customers urinating off the float as 'ridiculous'. He added: 'No one's going to be peeing off the side. Do they pee off the ferry when they come across? No, they don't. 'Let's be fair. There's not going to be any drunks on board because it's not a bar. You can't come on and sit there and have a drink. You have to have a full meal. 'We discussed that in the meeting. They wanted to know whether by buying a packet of crisps would entitle them to buy a drink? No, they'd have to sit down and have a meal.' Despite Mr Trickett's arguments, the committee said that approving his application would 'undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm.' A spokesperson for the council told MailOnline: 'Members of the licensing sub-committee have refused this application after careful consideration of the proposals, the views of residents, and the four licensing objectives.' He has been given 21 days to appeal, and Mr Trickett says he is ready to take it to a Magistrates' Court. He believes that having the backing of environmental staff, the fire brigade and police may work in his favour. In their rejection, the committee highlighted concerns over storage of waste on the vessel which they said 'could cause a public nuisance, especially in hot weather'. However, Mr Trickett debated that the Beach House store their food in general waste bins which 'bake under the sun for days' and that this was an example of 'double standards' in the decision-making. 'All their rubbish is stored in council bins,' he added. 'It's a bit hypocritical.' The committee also had concerns regarding the restaurant's ability to raise up and down with the tide, which they say posed a risk to children and families playing in the water nearby. But Mr Trickett said it was clear in his application that 'the vessel would attach itself to the seabed by way of arrowhead pole structure that would raise up and down with the tide.' He added that because the restaurant would be in the inner harbour, that this negated any risk. 'Not many people play in the inner harbor because of the sewage,' he continued. 'The seaside is where they all go. So they contradicted themselves there. I've told them that it goes up and down with the tide. 'They're saying they're worried that it doesn't, which they're thinking could cause an accident if if it's stuck up in the air and a child goes underneath it. 'But that's not the case. There are other boats all around that area doing exactly the same as what I'm doing.' The committee said that these concerns, as well as the vessel having no barriers, 'was a significant risk to public safety' as it could see customers fall into the water. 'There's going to be a fully secure barrier completely around the craft,' Mr Trickett said. 'It even has kickboards on the bottom so that when you pull your chair back, it doesn't go over the side and fall in. 'They obviously didn't look at the pictures very well and they were told that it's got barriers. 'So that once again, that is not true. The others aren't true. It should have passed.' The 66-year-old also criticised members of the MSBHA, who he says act like they 'own the place'. 'I have family and friends who've got huts down there,' he continued. 'And they all talk about the hut association acting as if they own the place. 'They don't own the place. They own the hut. They've paid silly money for the huts and they seem to think they own it. 'I am floating on the water much the same as any other craft. And it's something different. It's an option, it's competition. 'You can have lobster, steak, pizza or fish and chips, a cup of coffee now or your soft drinks and have a bit of an experience. 'They do it all around the world. Dartmouth have got a floating one. Plymouth have got a floating one. All around Asia they've got floating ones everywhere. The Thames have even got them. So it's nothing new, but it's new for Christchurch.' Mr Trickett said he won't give up on the project which he has spent 'a lot of money' on, and says he is looking ahead to secure a license for next summer. There are 346 beach huts at Mudeford with prices rising dramatically in the last 30 years The remote location makes them very desirable as an exclusive bolthole, and with cars banned and the only way to reach it is by a 20-minute walk, a short ferry trip (above) or a novelty land train ride They can be slept in from March to October, but have no running water or mains electricity, and toilets and washing facilities are in a communal block There are 346 beach huts at Mudeford with prices rising dramatically in the last 30 years. Many of the owners MailOnline spoke with had inherited the huts which were propped up on the beach following the end of the Second World War. The remote location makes them very desirable as an exclusive bolthole, and with cars banned and the only way to reach it is by a 20-minute walk, a short ferry trip or a novelty land train ride. They can be slept in from March to October, but have no running water or mains electricity, and toilets and washing facilities are in a communal block.

The Sun

41 minutes ago

• The Sun

It's a buyers market! How YOU could knock £22k off a house price and the key to a cheeky winning bid

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Telegraph

41 minutes ago

• Telegraph

Starmer's industrial plan is dangerously close to ‘Old Labour'

If they must help sectors that are particularly hurt by 10pc tariffs, then I would use the tax system so the benefits are broadened. Scottish whisky will no doubt find it harder to compete in the United States, so why not cut alcohol duty for spirits by a commensurate amount to the extra tariff costs they face? Those companies crying out for help would benefit, but so too would consumers here. I would also look closely at a reduction in VAT. This could be temporary and possibly just on business and domestic energy bills. Labour actually proposed cutting VAT on domestic energy in opposition, so you never know. Either way, it would help reduce costs for all businesses and households alike, while temporarily reducing inflation. I would add to this fiscal boost with a unilateral approach to our own tariff regime, cutting the cost of goods for business and consumers alike. This sort of fiscal industrial strategy that would cut the cost of doing business for everyone would be much more effective than the cherry-picking subsidy-led approach we are starting to see from this Prime Minister. But I know this approach won't be taken because to fund it all would require cutting spending still further, including going much further on welfare reform. The botched handling of the Spring Statement has meant that this is nearly impossible for this Government. So instead, we're stuck with the 'Old Labour' ways of picking winners and getting the rest of us to pick up the tab.