[5] Paul Moller, the vehicle's inventor, has been working on flying saucer projects since the 1960s, having first been given the idea when studying radial diffusers.

Featuring eight Wankel snowmobile engines, a central bubble and a low tail fin, photographs of a mock-up were published in 1976.

None has yet come to market and news reports have been skeptical that the latest M200G vehicle will fare any better, citing a case by the Securities and Exchange Commission which noted that in 1997 promotional materials for the Skycar had predicted 10,000 units sold by 2002.

[4] As of August 2007, Moller had not yet established if the vehicle will be regulated by the United States Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Transportation.

He has not produced any evidence or figures to support the promised abilities, such as fuel economy equivalent to that of an automobile; indeed, each proposed model would use eight less fuel-efficient but very good weight to power ratio Wankel engines, each of which must maintain high RPMs even when idle.

[8] The only demonstration approaching flight was a "hover" test performed by a Skycar prototype that was tethered, not hung, to a crane, which Moller claimed was "for insurance purposes".

[11] In the words of the SEC complaint, "As of late 2002, MI's approximately 40 years' of development has resulted in a prototype Skycar capable of hovering about fifteen feet [4.5 m] above the ground.