KOLLAM: Muhammad Salim has been a motorhead since his childhood. He first experimented making vehicles using cardboard, now he has made a jeep and a three-wheeler and brought them for the Vocational Higher Secondary expo. 17-year-old Muhammad Salim, plus-two student of VHSS Vayanakam was the star of the expo conducted for school students of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

Abdul Salim, his father who is an auto driver and mother Selina, a tailor has huge hopes on their son. Salim has a habit of roaming around in his father’s auto after he comes from work, ever since he was a child. Later he made mini replicas of the auto.

Since his father does not have the money to buy a jeep, he decided to build one by himself. His teachers provided him financial help. The spareparts were bought from a scrap shop in Adhikadukulangara, Kayamkulam. The jeep was made within one month. Everybody around appreciated him when he made the jeep. His desire to build an electric vehicle paved way for the three-wheeler. Later it was changed into a petrol run vehicle. He drove both of his vehicles in the expo.

Mini jeep

*Autorickshaw engine

*Nano car suspension

*Alto 800 steering

*Can start using kicker

*Fuel: petrol

*Mileage 25 km

Total expense Rs 40,000

“My dream is to build an electric truck. I will make electric vehicles from now on. I hope to succeed,” says Muhammad Salim.