REO Industries says it has locked in over 30,000 reservations for its models. All three REO models will share the same body-on-frame architecture. The T4X, T4C, and S4C will be powered by non-hybrid four-cylinder engines. Just months after it was revealed that Texas real estate agent Zach De Bernardi planned to revive the REO brand with two small pickups and an SUV, the company has announced that Frank Stephenson will design the trio of models. If you’ve never heard of Frank Stephenson, he’s the man behind cars like the E53 BMW X5, Ferrari F430, Maserati MC12, McLaren P1, and the McLaren 720S. Put simply, he knows how to design a good-looking vehicle, and soon, you could own one of his creations at a surprisingly affordable price point. Read: A US Startup Wants To Sell You A $21,500 Ameri-Kei Pickup With A Manual REO is working on three models, including two pickups badged the Runabout T4X and the Runabout T4C, in addition to an SUV known as the Runabout S4C. A handful of teasers were released back in June, and now a new one has just dropped, showing the rear end of one of the three models. It sports four circular LED taillights, not dissimilar to an F430. According to De Bernardi, Frank Stephenson and his team are “well into the detail phase of shaping all three variants of the Runabout” ahead of the models’ digital reveal later this year. All three are being designed around the right to repair and, as such, they’ll be relatively simple, featuring physical switches and levers for all important controls. Simple To Run And Repair The three Runabout models will share a body-on-frame architecture and a four-wheel drive system. They are shaping up to be just slightly larger than the forthcoming all-electric Slate pickup, and to keep prices down, there won’t be any electrification in sight. Instead, the T4X, T4C, and S4C will each be sold with a simple four-cylinder gas engine that doesn’t even feature direct injection. REO says the models will come standard with panels and trim that can be removed in under five minutes using simple tools. It also claims the powertrain is engineered to run for 500,000 miles, although it’s unclear whether it was developed in-house or was sourced from another manufacturer. While the three models have yet to be revealed, the company says it’s already received 32,500 paid reservations. Prices will range from $21,500 to $28,500.
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