Survival pod maker says he can't meet demand ahead of doomsday
If disaster strikes on Friday, 15 buyers will have place to shelter, but 11 will not get orders in time
The Zhejiang inventor whose successful crash test of his survival pod earlier this year made him an internet celebrity says he cannot keep up with demand for the device as December 21 doomsday fears mount.
Unable to churn out his "Atlantis Arks" fast enough, Yang Zongfu says he has stopped taking new orders for the six-metre-tall metallic spheres, which cost up to five million yuan (HK$6.2 million) each.
As it is, Yang has already told 11 buyers he would not be able to deliver the survival pods before Friday, when some believe the Mayan calendar will end and bring on the end times. He expects 15 customers will have their pods in hand should disaster strike.
"All clients require delivery before December 21," said Yang, who owns a scarf factory. "We simply could not find enough factories in Yiwu to meet the deadline for everyone."
Yang says the survival pods can withstand radiation, impacts of up to 350 tonnes and temperatures of up to 1,700 degrees Celsius. He believes they could safely house a family of three for more than a year.