I've always thought such bikes were highly practical.

They have pretty much everything you'd want from in a commuter bike, they're simple and they look easy to maintain. I believe Breezer bikes borrow heavily from them. The only thing I don't like about Breezers is that IMO they're too expensive for the potential commuters/entry-level riders who'd be most attracted to them.

With gas prices so much in the news, more US Americans are thinking about bike commuting, so the time seems right for a bike like this.

I'm guessing these bikes would be pretty inexpensive? What's your ballpark guess at retail price?

Personally, I like the Chinese-ness, but I'm not sure that middle 'Murka would find it very appealing. Probably you should go the other way, and paint them red white & blue!