DManuel

Perceptions on : Higher U.S. Auto Sales , Investors and Smooth earnings.

2011-03-01T23:27:00.000-08:00

A recent article that called my attention have taken my perception of the steps predicted on one of Michael Melvin papers when evaluating currency investment, for which benchmarks lay on Momentum, PPP and Carry, but I'm not sure that avid investors follow this principles in order to minimize investment draw downs. I opt to think that most likely the common initial move is very similar to average investors: splitting rationale into "which industry" to invest in and then "which company".

Both decisions would be defined by different perceptions. Market/industry dynamics, Biz cycles and Average ROI would have to present a "Smooth Earnings" outlook to tempt the investor to tag along the wagon. When the issue is which company to Run-On with, there is several variables and individual characteristics that will come to effect to define either which procedure to use when selecting. but either ways cash flows, growth earnings, short and long term staged predictions, etc.

This analysis when short-viewed within auto industry, specifically U.S. sales market latest report for February, leaves an interesting space for forecasts and mixed decisions for some investors and industry players when predicting where to focus and establish growth strategies.

Table sorted by year-to-date sales

_________________________Feb.________Feb.____percent
_________________________2011________2010____change
General Motors Co.††_______207,028________141,535_46%
Ford Motor Co.†___________156,232________142,006_10%
Toyota Motor Sales_________141,846________100,027_42%
American Honda Motor Co.____98,059_________80,671_22%
Chrysler Group______________95,102_________84,449_13%
Nissan North America_________92,370_________70,189_32%
Hyundai-Kia________________76,339_________58,056_32%
VW Group Of America________29,315_________24,427_20%
Subaru___________________21,683_________18,098_20%
BMW Group_______________19,963_________18,013_11%
Daimler AG________________16,665_________15,834_5%
Mazda___________________19,387_________17,054_14%
Mitsubishi__________________6,893__________4,019_72%
Volvo Cars N.A.______________4,795__________ - ___ -
Jaguar Land Rover N.A._________3,247__________2,793_16%
Porsche____________________2,019__________1,531_32%
Suzuki_____________________1,643__________1,375_20%
Saab Cars N.A.________________546__________ - ___ -
Maserati_____________________159____________104_53%
Other_______________________244____________241__1%
U.S. LIGHT VEHICLE TOTAL___993,535_____780,422_27%

From: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110301/RETAIL01/110309973/1448

Revealing some expected and unexpected share market winners such as Nissan (up 70 percent), GM (64 percent), and Ford (58 percent). After that it's Hyundai-Kia (up 45 percent), Honda (37 percent), Toyota (29 percent) and Chrysler (13 percent), compared with sales market share of previous years.

More details: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110301/RETAIL01/110309973/1448#ixzz1FQO6f000

Smart meter, utility bills and other energy related issues...

2011-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

Smart Meters are a convenient way to monitor utility bills, allowing consumers to observe and calculate consumption rates and use objective methods to cut household utility costs.

They come equipped with a radio to send data from a meter to a utility on regular intervals; it can act as part of a mesh network, sending collected data from a neighborhood to a central point, by transmitting quick bursts several times an hour averaging about a minute and a half transmission per hour, providing quick outages information and gauging demand occurrence.

In some western countries the public blame the smart meter for higher bills because of the performance fact, the dispositive stays full-time plugged, but the culprit is actually the rate strategy currently in place based on tiers.

Tiered rates are like the alternative minimum tax—it. There are unintended risks linking smart meters with the issues of rate design and other utilities. In short breaking down the tier rates concept, for example under the US current rates design is, "the more energy you use the higher the unit cost for that energy", and rates range from 12 cents to 50 cents per kWh. Baseline Rates start at 12 cents per kWh but the baseline quantities are set based on the average use for residential customers in an area, they can vary by geographic location, or baseline territory, also vary between summer or winter and based on home's heating sources.

The PG&E website is a useful source of rate information and the tiered rate design structure to understand electricity bill charges in the U.S.; but North American general consumers still feel the burden, even knowing that smart meters do not cause higher utility bills, but acknowledging that they are part of the "last mile", thanks to the current tier rates system.

Smart meters are being considered for large scale installation in most developed countries, as a tool to implement a more energy consumption efficiency and market discipline of utility rates. As an example from the DistribuTech Utility conference in San Diego is expected several announcements for packages of home energy management systems which will include network thermostat, energy displays, and Internet gateways for brokering communications between consumers and utilities, this items can provide information such as during critical peak period, where utilities are struggling to meet energy demand, consumers can get alert that the price for electricity has gone up, allowing them to log into a automated system using a web application and adjust thermostat's and/or turn of some items remotely.

Other contributions have been acknowledged such as the licensing of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Smart Charger Controller by Zap Electric Vehicle, which targets directly the 2nd biggest driver of Greenhouse gas emissions, product first launched for the American market demand where cars CO2 emissions are higher than Europe's, Japan's,China's and India combined.

The smart charger enables car owners to tap into lower electricity rates and help utilities minimize strain on the grid. It connects to a smart grid through wireless technology, in which other automakers and startups are readying and shaping up their technology. (www.gigaom.com/cleantech/13-3l3ctric-car-smart-charging-players-to-watch/) The platform can be installed in a smart power cord, in a charging station or in a vehicle.(gigaom.com/cleantech/zap-licenses-national-labs-smart-charger/)

For generations power plants construction costs have defined utility rates, the combination of inflation and nuclear power plant construction cost escalation changed the game driving up average costs and thus rates. Leaving coal plants as the cheapest, but the levels of carbon dioxide emission are higher than alternatives, as a result now China builds them at a rate of 2 coal plants per week, U.S. consumes 1 billion tons of coal each year, and coal represents the 52% of all U.S. energy.

Concern about global warming heightened in the last decades, utilities are faced with changes in power plant technology, equipment and emissions limits; fact that have produced policy bias against coal, but despite this still not much support for new clear nuclear power plants have been achieved to cover baseload needs. Concerns about renewable energy reliability to meet grid needs given its intermittence and the limited availability in many cases due to lack of transmissions to bring the wind and solar energy to load centers.

China, recognized as one of the top pollutant through carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants, is now investing on "clean coal", going on a buying and production spree of the latest innovative procedures for carbon capture and storage. Fact mentioned on the article" The Dragon in search for Clean Energy". While as a practical drive the U.S. is becoming more dependent on natural gas to meet it's needs as the default fuel.(www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html)

From: UNIDO week at Expo 2010 focuses on turning urban life green

2011-01-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

“Green Industry for a better life” is the theme of the display of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the Expo 2010 that opened in Shanghai today.

Set up as part of the Expo’s UN Pavilion, UNIDO showcases the organization’s Greening Industry concept.

During the next week, UNIDO will organize events to discuss the best approaches towards a more prosperous, harmonious and environmental-friendly urban future, investment promotion, technology transfer, as well as strengthening worldwide cooperation and partnerships.

“Shanghai has made outstanding achievements in the last years in developing high-tech applications in industries, especially in reforming traditional industries and adjusting industrial structure through high and new technologies. Shanghai’s successful practice in transforming from the traditional economy to the innovative economy has set a good model for cities in developing countries,” said UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella.

He added that in the last decades, rapid urbanization has been witnessed all over the world but developing countries face many problems, including urban poverty, unemployment and social inequity, as well as pollution part of which originates from emissions from transportation and industrial production activities.

During a side event today, UNIDO also signed an agreement on a joint project with the Shanghai Municipal Economic and Information Commission, the Government of the city’s Yangpu District, and the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE).

The agreement signalled the establishment of the Shanghai International High-Tech Innovation Development Base which will promote high-tech applications for industries, mobilize the support of international organizations, enterprises, and funding from financial organizations. The Base will also cooperate with universities, research institutes and enterprises, work on research and development, and support knowledge and management centres.

Shanghai’s Yangpu District has been successful in adjusting the industry structure and improving economic and social development. It promotes the innovation capacity and competitiveness of the city, and has formed a knowledge innovation zone with unique features. CICETE is dedicated to the bilateral economic and technical exchanges and international cooperation. It has implemented projects with UN specialized agencies and has promoted the harmonious development of economy and society, contributing to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

See: http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=7881&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=476&cHash=f9eaa29cd8ee85397c8e894ab21bbfaa

New Rabbit Year full of pleasent surprises.

2011-01-27T00:38:00.000-08:00

While ZAP and Jonway define mutual advantages on the announced JV early 2010, further steps have been ongoing to convert it into an acquisition. The opportunities for the management team to work smarter just to assure a successful acquisition are wide.

Both companies proving to be able to build a solid ground to tackle the electric fleets market, while adding complementary product lines with innovative technical skills for new customers, leveraging existing infrastructure.

A blog published on "http://www.ontoplist.com", titled "Serious EV competitor is on the rise", presents a very interesting flash-forward on how this current stage of the acquisition is a pivotal point for any and every EV industry supporter.

I guess the New Rabbit Year will bring very interesting results.

California: EV Designer for the World.

Global Dealings: How to Make M&A Work in Emerging Markets? Ten Prov...

2011-01-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Global Dealings: How to Make M&A Work in Emerging Markets? Ten Prov...: "Global companies seeking a foothold in fast-growing countries such as Turkey, China, Russia and Brazil have pushed deal-making in emergi..."

Growth perception of the EV industry: ZAP

2011-01-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

This article on the Wall Street Jornal always puffs my expectation. It enfises on how low-speed electric vehicles frenzy is catching on (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121746229279198963.html?mod=googlenews_wsj), and how orders at ZAP, the California maker of small electric cars, have exploded to about 50 a day.

The cars aren't for long-distance travel. The Xebra on the picture from 2008 could average about 25 miles on one charge, which is technically a motorcycle and goes up to 40 mph. But by now there is an extended list of vehicles from this same company that double and triples the range with most of their new products such as ZAPTruck ZAPVAN, both with a predicted range of 40miles per charge and much more room and utility. and

The other innovative update making the headlines is the sports vehicle defined as Alias, which comes in a new 3-wheeled style already impressing the elites on advanced automotive vehicle elite circles thanks to the amazing performance at the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, where it scored 121.8MPGe, details are all around the X Prize on this roadster capabilities.

The victorious partnership with Jonway Automobile is already forecast for a solid groundbreaking platform with the Powertrain conversions of the first and second generations of the A380, added to their portfolio as an 100% electric SUV, which opens a interesting new window to cover consumers preferences.

Pike Research seems to predict a demand for Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, forecasting that by 2015, a total of 1.7 million PHEVs will be on the road worldwide. The United States leading the pack, followed closely by China.

That is why ZAP's signed agreement with Shanghai Government for the Green City Project will bring a solid platform to provide not only the EV charging infrastructure, battery swap-out stations and maintenance support centers but also the culture and usage of electric vehicles for its public transportation in Yanpu, home to 1.24 million of people.

Interview to Steve Schneider CEO of ZAP Jonway by Verdexchange.com

2011-01-12T18:03:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.verdexchange.org/node/277

VerdeX: ZAP has received some very significant news from the Chinese Government: an approval that could position your company as a pacific rim leader in the Electric Vehicle marketplace.

Schneider: Today was a very significant day for ZAP. It’s something we have been working on for a long time. It was something that all the experts—political, media, and otherwise—said couldn’t be done, which is an American company having a controlling interest in a Chinese automobile manufacturing company. As of today, the Chinese government has approved the merger between ZAP and Jonway. It is really an acquisition. Today we officially own 51 percent of Jonway Automobile. We are following that up with another 49 percent acquisition. We are doing it in two stages because of the way we are paying for it. The significance wasn’t the payment, the significance was getting the Chinese government to approve the controlling interest, and we did it in what is a first in China.

VerdeX: How did ZAP actually win China’s approval to acquire control of Jonway? What about your merger was compelling?

Schneider: We believe this went forward because the Chinese government has mandated the reduction in carbon emissions by 40 percent by the year 2020, which is an extremely aggressive challenge, especially for an economy that is growing ten percent annually—the fastest growing economy in the world. Trying to reach that challenge was one of the main reasons why there was flexibility in this particular arrangement, where there otherwise would not have been. At the Beijing Auto Show, 106 electric vehicles were introduced. When I met with the global automotive forum, the Chinese Chamber of International Trade, and all the government officials, they stated that out of all those 106 manufacturers, only a handful would be in production to help meet this mandate. The Chinese government is aware that China still needs Western influence to bring a mature technology to market in China. ZAP has been working on electric vehicles longer than any company in history. ZAP has also owned the most famous brand in history, which is called the Detroit Electric, since the turn of the century. We have a 1906 Detroit Electric sitting in our show room. It is a wonderful piece of history, a wonderful story, and a wonderful car. ZAP has taken over where Detroit Electric left off.

We have been and still are the oldest manufacturer of electric. We have made a lot of mistakes along the way. My life story is very similar to the movie Tucker, and we have had everyone taking shots at us. A lot of powerful interests wanted to see us fail. That was one of the reasons we decided to pull out of the U.S., because the politics was completely different. There isn’t any politics in China—it is just: “Let’s get it done.” The mandates were such, and the red tape was such, to get it done.

ZAP Jonway CEO Steve Schneider

VerdeX: What is ZAP’s niche target market in China and the United States?

Schneider: The largest car market is the passenger car market. Every manufacturer that I am aware of builds mostly passenger vehicles. ZAP’s niche market is corporate, fleet, and government accounts. We are the only manufacturer producing a full size electric pick up, a full size electric SUV, which is what Jonway manufactures, and a full size electric van. We have several other utility vehicles as well. No one else is doing those three core vehicles at the moment. Although they are a smaller part of the market, it’s the market that is more mature for the technology available today.

Currently there is no practical infrastructure, and the consumer, it doesn’t matter where in the world, will have the same issues, which is known as range anxiety. The average consumer may drive 25 miles a day in their average driving practice, but every so often they might want to drive 100 or 200 miles. In that case, they cannot make today’s electric vehicle their primary vehicle. However in corporate fleets and government accounts, there is a pre-determined amount of mileage. We build vehicles to the spec of the agency that we are selling to. In the city of Hangzhou, for instance, the average taxi goes 200 km. We build the vehicle to spec, it gets back the station, they charge up, and they know what their route is going to be. It is very predictable, and there is no range anxiety. Today’s technology is extremely mature for that type of application.

We recently won a postal contract award; that is another application that is very predictable. Taxis and postal vans sit at an idle, producing terrible emissions, all day long. That is an ideal application for electric vehicles. As you sit, you aren’t using any power. Even though you might work all day long, you only go 25 or 30 miles. The U.S. Postal service has 156,000 of these long-life postal vans. They told us they want to convert 105,000 to electric.

We are one of five companies awarded the contract. We use Remy’s motor.

REMY's eGearDrive Motor at the ZAP Jonway stand during 2010 WEVS 25 in Shenzhen - China

The CEO of Remy and the engineers at Remy were very helpful in helping this happen. We worked very well together, bringing American technology. As much as I wanted to pull out of the United States, all of a sudden we are getting DOE funding, we are getting U.S. Postal contracts, we were finalists in the automotive X-Prize, and we are one of the few approved for the TSA list. Economic development agencies in almost every state have contacted us offering all kinds of benefits. As much as I wanted to get rid of all the politics and pull out completely, here I am back to where I started. Now I am doing two weeks a month in the United States and two weeks in China.

VerdeX: ZAP is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Elaborate on the origins of your operations in California and what the company’s ambition is in China and the United States.

Schneider: California is where we have our headquarters—in Santa Rosa. We have an 80,000-square-foot facility there. ZAP has been miscategorized as a sales and marketing company. What we really do is R&D, and that takes place up in Santa Rosa. We integrate better than most anyone in the world, and we do it on a very practical level. We build vehicles that are inexpensive, the Volkswagen Bug of electric vehicles—we are the car of the people. There are companies that are building vehicles for the rich and famous—that is not our mantra. We are doing mass numbers and we are building vehicles that common people can drive and use everyday, especially here in China. Ultimately we will bring that philosophy to the United States.

VerdeX: In our meetings today, we also visited Holley, a partner and collaborator with ZAP. Talk about that company and the potential for synergy.

ZAP Jonway CEO Steve Schneider, Holley Group Charger

Schneider: We visited a legal and financial joint venture—we invested together. Holley is the largest holley meter company in the world.

They have some of the most sophisticated technology in smart metering that is available, period. As you saw today, this is a major operation. We are basically a factory direct operation. There are no middlemen here. The nucleus of vehicle charging infrastructure is the smart meter. There is a little more electronics to go with it, but the smart meter is a sophisticated part of the charging station. When you think about how to get a piece of the pie, a charging station isn’t any more than a glorified extension of that. Bringing a power meter, revenue sharing, and getting everyone a part of that revenue, that is where the sophistication comes in. I don’t believe there is anyone in the world that can build a charging station with the technology that Holley has. Because of the lack of middlemen, there is lower cost.

The reason anyone comes to China is to get low cost manufacturing. Even when they do that, there are still several layers. This is factory direct on charging stations and factory direct on automobiles. In both cases there are no middlemen or brokers involved. We build charging stations for each market for the very lowest price and build an automobile also at the same level. We can put out a lot of products for the money. If you look at the cars today, they are very similar to a Toyota Rav4. And if you look at the finish and the creature comforts that most Americans are comfortable with, these vehicles have all of those things in retail for about $15,000. You couldn’t do that in the United States.

The joint venture is working on the technology for the charging station and technology transfer from ZAP U.S. to China, and the integration is taking place. The two technologies are smart meters that are the new charge stations and the powertrain that is the nucleus for all of the vehicles we will build. The powertrain is a fairly consistent thing; it stays the same. We modify the battery pack to meet the needs, whether it is a corporate fleet or government account, of the specs we receive. Some places have hills and we need to build a more powerful motor; some people need more range, so we give them more battery packs. We build them to spec and the engineering takes place here in Hangzhou.

VerdeX: You moved the locus of your efforts to China more than 10 years ago having been frustrated by the California and U.S. EV marketplace. Elaborate on the challenges and opportunities you have found in China.

Schneider: I have been criss-crossing China on the electric vehicle side for ten years. Now, I have a wonderful partner, Dr. Priscilla Lu, who had a lot of fantastic relationships. She is an engineer, and we, needing each other, have combined our resources together.

ZAP Jonway CEO Steve Schneider and Director and Chairwoman of ZAP Dr. Priscilla M. Lu

We absolutely needed each other to make this work. We needed the government relationships; we needed the corporate relationships; we needed the financial relationships; we needed all of it.

It is so complicated to do what we did even without all of the challenges on the U.S. side, with the politics and the hidden agendas. Trying to figure out all of the nuances that a different culture has to offer was very challenging, and not speaking the language was even more challenging. Having a high-level partner involved that ensured my understanding and the understanding between the partners was essential, because communication can be so far off the train, and had been in many of our past deals. In this case, we minimized miscommunication. We maximized political support, and we had an awful lot of good luck with market timing. Currently, the Hangzhou government is offering RMB 123,000 for every vehicle we build in the ramp. That is an unbelievable amount of money. The federal government on the U.S. side doesn’t even come close. RMB 123,000 it makes a very great business space. I don’t see any end in sight, especially with the mandate of 40 percent carbon emission reductions. As you know, China is fairly well funded.

VerdeX: If we are able to talk a year from now about ZAP and the implementation of your business plans, what will the interview focus upon?

Schneider: First of all, it is too idealistic for everyone to jump into the electric vehicle business as a stand-alone business today—maybe ten years from now, but today, to survive as an electric vehicles business and bring enough revenues to pay your overhead is challenging, nearly impossible. The reality is that you have to partner up with something like Jonway.

Jonway comes to us completely debt free and profitable, right out of the gate. As a publicly traded company, we are going to be profitable right away and have tremendous revenues before we start selling one electric vehicle. ZAP is bringing all of the technology; Jonway is bringing the platform. They are an automobile manufacturer; we are a technology integrator. We needed each other, equally.

ZAP Jonway A380 SUV Taxi

Jonway knew that there was no way they were going to be the number one manufacturer in China with the number of car manufacturers already in existence. The only way they could be recognized as world leader was to increase technology. ZAP knew that there was no way we were going to get to the next level unless we had our own platform, which wouldn’t be taken away from us every time we had a level of success. As the new owner of Jonway, we now have a revenue-generating, 500-dealership distribution generating its own revenue, fully self sufficient, before we even have to worry about selling one single electric vehicle.

Now we have the comfort of doing it the right way. We don’t have to worry about rushing, about making agendas that are sometimes misconstrued because of panic about financial capability. We can do everything properly, focus on target markets, focus on politics, focus on incentives, hit only markets that are available right now, and deliver cars right now. We are not talking about two years in the future. We are not talking about a year in the future. We are talking about delivering vehicles tomorrow. That is what we can do with this merger.

VerdeX: Is 2011 likely to be the year alternative fuel vehicles seriously enter the market?

Schneider: Yes it is. Most of the manufacturers are targeting 2012. We at ZAP have a year jump on everyone.

VerdeX: Except you don’t have Jonway in California. What is the reality of ZAP coming back to the U.S. market without Jonway?

Schneider: Jonway is the largest exporter of motorcycles in China. Jonway is the largest importer of motorcycles to the United States. Electric motorcycles and ATVs can now be a very big part of revenue source and our technology development. It is the same technology. Some of the benefit that ZAP has had in its integration capabilities are that we have built tons of electric bikes, scooters, and ATVs. All of those components are the same components that are carried through in an automobile, just scaled up in power and design. If something works in a scooter, we scale it up to the next level and so on.

VerdeX: A year from now, what will be a home run for ZAP?

Schneider: The home run today was completing the merger. Jonway and ZAP are on the cover of Popular Mechanics for the Automotive X-Prize.

ZAP Jonway Alias at the Progressive X Prize Competition 2010

The White House is announcing that winner. There were initially a couple hundred vehicles entered, which is now down to four, and there were four categories. We just recently won the Most Wanted, the Most Practical, the Most Stylish, and we were number two in the Most Innovative. We will bring that vehicle to market in the first quarter as part of this new merger, and now we have the manufacturing capability to bring it to market. We expect funding from the DOE, and we will start to build U.S. manufacturing. We are able to do that very easily with Jonway because we can start out with knock down kits, building all of our low-cost, expensive parts in China and assembling them in the U.S.

VerdeX: Is there a geographic requirement for the DOE grant?

Schneider: Just the United States. Site location is being jockeyed for right now.

VerdeX: Lastly, will you be at the VERDEXCHANGE Conference in January 2011?

Schneider: I will be sure to be there. There will be some good synergy there.•••

Christmas Wishes...

2010-12-24T01:25:00.000-08:00

Already 24th of December and still at the office...!!!

Guess what!!!

The day can't get warmer every second feels like a bliss, nevertheless the thermometer marks (-5) degrees Celsius...

ZAP Jonway Beijing Office Seasonal Card.

Just crossed with this card and had to share it on real time basis before my dinner date for this marry venue.

MARRY X-MAS to ALL & for your LOVED ONES...your contributions, ideas and support is what keeps our views on positive tracks.

I will make sure to take a shot to SMILEY moments myself.

Thanks for comming by.

DManuel.

"What is The Electric Car?" Premiere Pictures

2010-12-20T02:37:00.000-08:00


Presentation of "What is the electric car?" premiere at The Egyptian Theatre

Well the Egyptian Theatre was the right location last week for the cream of the EV industry and EV enthusiasts, with sold-out presentation of the premiering documentary "What is the electric car?"

The Zapino from ZAP, Writer-Producer Andrew Reilly, cast member Elena Yost next to Blink changing station

Paul Scott checking the Nissan Leaf Charger

A mixed night of celebrities, high profiled executives arriving and testing every single item exposed on the Green Carpet at the premiere.

EV Guru and Shelley Sykes arrival on the ZAPPY 3

"SweeT" rides at the event didn't need any introduction, such is the case of the Leaf, Alias, E-Tracer, etc; which absorbed part of the attendants into photo shooting sessions.

Nissan Leaf

Stevie Mack, Ginny, ZAP CEO Steven Schneider, Pimp My Ride Team

The documentary was not the only grand prize, one lucky Facebook user was announced by ZAP CEO Steve Schneider as the winner of the ZAPXebra and also there was a winner announced for the Zapino e-scooter as part of the FREE Vehicle Gift event.

Cheers and Smiles told the success story for the night on which Radio Host Stevie Mack covered it with a live broadcast from the green carpet with ZAP representatives as special guests.

Stevie Mack and the ZAP Alias

Can't wait for the New York premiere of the documentary!!!

What is the Electric Car? Premiers today Dec.14th

2010-12-15T00:14:00.000-08:00

Well it is already happening, the premiere is going down right now.

Celebrities are coming out to the Egyptian Theater to see more than 10 Electric Vehicles in the courtyard... an "Electric Car Show for the Stars"! And the film screening (at 9:30pm PST).

Just an update, the FREE ELECTRIC CAR GIVEAWAY have chosen the user Ivan dKmx... as the winner of a brand new ZAP Xebra

ZAP Xebra electric car

""CONGRATULATIONS""

This is another snapshot moment that ZAP comes to the rescue once again, I guess this shows commintment on the Zero Air Pollution statement, not sure how to say it differently but I'm just proud to be part of this team.

Mr. Jay Leno

From the press release we got that, many celebrities have also contributed to this "green themed", enlightening film including Jay Leno (who let producers in his garage to film him driving his 1908 Baker Electric), Ed Begley, Jr. (filmed at the 'Go Green Expo'), and "Baywatch" star and EV activist Alexandra Paul who hosted a behind the scenes chapter for the DVD. Romero Britto spent the last 2 months painting the world's 1st BRITTO TM electric car (a Tango T-600 Commuter Car), and Chábeli Iglesias signed on to host the film's Spanish language version to be available early next year. Also with some of the electric cars "starring" in the film including the rare appearance of the Progressive Automotive X-Prize $2.5 million prize winner, the E-Tracer, there are many of the auto sponsors representatives including from Nissan, Chevrolet, and Tango; the ZAP representation at the event is being lead by the CEO Steve Schneider.

The best part is that even these high profiled celebrities are serenading the red carpet with all-electric vehicles in addition to the display of EVs in the Egyptian courtyard, there is over ten different electric vehicles.

Joy for a green environment

One more golden page for the Pragmatic EV Industry, two thumbs up for the director Ken Grant and for every single person involved in this outstanding achievement...who said you can't contribute to history in 75minutes...????

Cheers!!!!

From The Blog: ZAP JONWAY

2010-12-14T00:28:00.000-08:00

I picked out a well-known Chinese saying that comes from Ji Hongchang, a military officer, as the title of this article. It means: Man's every move is to write his history.

"What is the Electric Car?" makes an effort to promote electric cars in marketplace, and this is as a step attempting to make a success in the development history of EVs.

We enter an historic time with real, mainstream electric cars poised to come to market. Still, there seems to be a great deal of confusion and controversy around them, which is one reason why we like the new documentary premiering in Hollywood on December 14, “What is the Electric Car?” but not the only reason.

We really like “What is the Electric Car?” because our very own Ginny is one of the stars of the film. Yes, The Virginia (Ginny) Scales-Medeiros, mother of two, entrepreneur, inventor, auto maven and electric car proponent extraordinaire.

The story of how Ginny earned a role in the documentary “What is the Electric Car?” is somewhat ironic. Ginny is perhaps the most outgoing, gregarious person we work with, and the perfect person to help represent ZAP for its Detroit Auto Show debut. 2010 was the very first year that Detroit’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) hosted a display dedicated to electric cars called “Electric Avenue.” ZAP was invited to display its Alias electric car in Detroit as part of the lead-up to the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.

From: http://zapjonway.blogspot.com/

"What is The Electric Car?" Premiere Gift

2010-12-08T00:26:00.000-08:00

What is the Electric car? (Trailer)

Just about time that someone got a fresh closeup on the next tech vehicles. Check the cast and tell me if any further hopes come to mind?

Credited cast:
	Alexandra Paul	...	Behind the Scenes - Herself
	Barack Obama	...	Himself (archive footage)
	Ed Begley Jr.	...	Himself (archive footage)
	Fabio	...	Himself (archive footage)
	Jimmy Carter	...	(archive footage)
	Chabeli Iglesias	...	Herself-Host

and More...................

The exciting news is that the Documentary is not just premiering on the 14th of Dec. at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, but there some interesting freebie's that makes me feel again like Advanced Technology do not have to necessarily be expensive....if you arrive at the place driving an electric car the admission is free with one guest admission 50% off, and they will be giving away an electric car for FREE, (not sure why but my spider sense tells me it will be a Phoenix SUT,...but hey maybe I'm wrong on this one).

Don't want to make it only an American issue since the world Auto Industry is actually bringing serious assets to the table, in this case referring to Asia and Europe:...

Asia- Welcoming the new technologies and adapting them to fleets and daily productive activities.
Europe- R&D levels that can create considerable modifications to the industry but still no homogenized policies and laws for vehicle homologations.

Could go on and on but hope understanding more from others angles.--

News on Global Warming Effects....

2010-12-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101206/ap_on_sc/climate_disappearing_nations#buzzed=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/climate_disappearing_nations

ZAP Electric bicycle with the Las Vegas Parking Enforcement Unit

2010-12-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

It amazes me how the Las Vegas Parking Enforcement Officers continues showing the proactive attitude for usage of green vehicles on their main daily work activities. Just realized that they've been consistently chosing the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles which are efficient in reducing the effects of pollution. They make use of ZAP bicycles, which have electronic assist motors and are exceptional in the congested areas of that city, and the officers using bicycles are all already certified by the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association.

Of course the news go further, to average citizens being able to conveniently park and pay with out caring any cash with such tech items like the special key called a Cash Key and some other gadjet's...

http://www.australianbarrister.com/2010/12/a-deeper-check-around-the-las-vegas-traffic-enforcement/

The Gravitational Pull of China | Shifting Gears - From The California Report and KQED

2010-11-30T03:39:00.000-08:00

"Considering the daily commute for most urban population centers, and the reach ZAP has been growing globally to areas where an electric vehicle has the most merit, the existing vehicles and proposed models such as the ALIAS should help the company hold and improve its position in coming quarters."

from: Le Web Pedagogique

World HERE WE COME....

The Gravitational Pull of China | Shifting Gears - From The California Report and KQED

FROM The WEB: Ambiente Motors teaming up with Southern Oregon Universities

2010-11-28T23:48:00.000-08:00

Looks like there is a follow up trend for developers of low-cost, light-duty truck electric components and conversion kit, the IC³, for commercial vehicles, principally American-made pick-up trucks.

Now the team includes executives and electric vehicle company veterans from Barefoot Motors, Ford, Café Electric and ZAP Jonway.

From the web, just crossed with the AMBIENTE Motors news teaming up with Southern Oregon Universities.
http://ambientemotors.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/ambiente-motors-teams-up-with-southern-oregon-universities/

US: ZAP to provide EV services in Yangpu, Shanghai: Automotive news & analysis

2010-11-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

US: ZAP to provide EV services in Yangpu, Shanghai: Automotive news & analysis

What a wonderful morning for our ZAAP stock symbol.

2010-11-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

Monday 22st of November, and I'm still a beijinger enjoying a beautiful sunshine from my office window, nostalgic of the outs and abouts of this freezing weekend, and back to my regular 9am to 6pm daily schedule. There are projects to be completed and programs to be organized, but the great thing about this little brain of mine is just that, even at sleeping hours, it suddenly brings a whole map of the what should or shouldn't be the main focus of activities (can't love it more!!!), but for sure it didn't see the ZAAP stock value climb to the .84 level.

After the first fase completion of the downpayment for the Jonway Automobile plant acquisition on $10 millions, some real concatenated events are putting my ZAAP stocks at the right value level.

This equity ownership transfer was approved by the Chinese government on October 3, this year. The Sanmen, Zhejiang factory plant will ramp into production of the A380 SUV/Electric Taxi, in the first half of 2011 together with ZAP's Alias EV by third quarter of 2011.

The exhibition of the vehicles at the EVS25 at Shenzhen-China, resulted in a solid ground for the right types of markets, with the new motor agreement between ZAP Jonway & Remy Electric Motors propelling a new era to the company's EV portfolio.

But most of all I think this scale growth of the ZAAP cap, is very well deserved, the global revelation of the strategic move to purchase Jonway's Zhejiang automobile plant, which reported sales of over 4,000 gasoline vehicles through the end of September 2010, and projects total sales of over 6,500 vehicles by December of this year, the wholesale sales prices of the vehicles averaged US$10,000 for which the predicted year-end revenues will increase in more than 40 % compared to last year.

Jonway Automobile reported its debt-free status, the positive cash flow, and the readiness for the subsequent goal as part of a new company "ZAP Jonway", which is to lead the emerging EV fleet market in China. Adding to that the announcement of an effective leadership coordination when Jonway's Automobile CEO was selcted by the board as the Co-CEO for the new company.

ZAP's EV technologies, products and expertise, have always been a threat for the main EV industry competitors, with the add of the capability of Jonway Automobile Plant to deliver over 50,000 vehicles per year, I am sure that the launch of its EV sales in the Asian territory targeting volume production delivery by the first half of 2011 is a done deal.

Chering for the best, now back to work.

Arrival Night to Shenzhen, November 4th 2010.

2010-11-15T00:53:00.000-08:00

We already had a telephonic flash forward at arrival on the ZAP JONWAY showroom distribution and arrangements status, so after the check-in at the hotel, no shower, no food and no city sight seeing, our destination was the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center(SZCEC).

Minutes after 8p.m. until the closing time of the Convention and Exhibition Center, which was around 10p.m., our team was the protagonist on logistic details of the ZAP Jonway pavilion, from vehicle picture aesthetics to vehicle display location within the booth.

WEVS 25 in Shenzhen (hours before the opening....)

2010-11-11T02:32:00.000-08:00

After knowing that the last time China hosted the EVS was only 11 years ago (EVS16 - Beijing), our was all cheers and excitement for the experience, sharpening our knowledge about the trip to Shenzhen, event details and how we would be presenting our brand ZAP Jonway at a such international platform.

Not sure how did it started but comparison on who was the lightest traveller was one of the longest and funniest subjects that kept all of us laughing for more than 20 minutes before departure.

EVS25 here GOES the ZAP-JONWAY team BEIJING!!!

ZAP-Jonway, acquisition approved...!!!

2010-09-17T05:04:00.000-07:00

July 2010, ZAP confirmed an agreement with Jonway Group to acquire a majority stake in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile^[36]^[37]. The Chinese Department of Commerce in Zhejiang Province confirmed the approval of the aquisition in September 2010^[38].

This marks another new link from SINO-U.S. strategic alliances in the EV industry that is expected to catapult both companies to a new development stage, on the other hand the target market on which ZAP Jonway is enclosed will confirm China becoming the world’s largest market for plug-in electric vehicles thanks to a $14.7 billion government investment on all-electric vehicles and infrastructure, against over $2.5 billion from the Obama government in incentives for battery makers, consumer purchases, and for charging infrastructure.

At this pace China will beat the US market out when it comes to electric vehicles.