Olinía

Back in 1962, during the administration of Adolfo López Mateos — who governed, as he said, “as far to the left as the constituitin allows” (though it did allow him to break the railway man’s union, and… alas… made the odious Gustavo Díaz Ordaz his Inerior Minister (and successor), did make one of the last leaps great leaps to the left when he nationalized the electrical system.. something only recently (and incompletely) clawed back.

In the early 60´s there were billboards all over Mexico reading “The electricity is yours. Use it!”, While rural electrificatin didn’t reach everywhere (and still doesn’t) , it did upend Mexican life… television and radio reached the backwaters,,, fostering the desire among so many to move to the cities, as well as creating a huge demand for “electrodomesticosm.

Now in the second wave of electrification, not just in the industry, but in everyday life, the government is again stepping in, and very likely creating a whole new market for eletrical goods. Speficially autos.

While, yes… electric cars are not new here, the government is now investing (by way of a “public-private parnetrship) in electric vehicles. The Olinia (Nahuatl for “movement”) — developed at the National Polytechnical and Technical Institutes is expected to be on the market by the start of the World Cup Games next yea. Well, as Carlos Monsevais once noted, Mexicans have three topics of conversation: futbol, futol, and futbol. Using the World Cup as a deadline makes sense.

Anyway, the Olinia is designed specifically for the Mexican urban market. A “mini-car” (two-door, get around town, run errands, commute) car, a four-door suitable also for taxis, and a “Last-mile” delivery van are the models to be made available. One huge advantage over the better known Chinese brands and Teslas, is that Olenias can be recharged from a standard electrical outlet. Perhaps there will create a sendary market in extention cords, but wait and see.

And the price? YOW… from 90,000 to 150,000 pesos.. or about 4200 to 6000 US dollars. Financing (though the government) available.

And.. the little one (the 4200 dollar one) is so darn cute!