After five years on the
market in Europe, the 60-MPG SMART car was granted a certificate of conformity
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, clearing the way for U.S. sales by
automotive technology pioneer ZAP (OTC:ZAPZ) (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAPZ) , the
Company announced today.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041122/SFM044 )
The SMART car goes on display to the public for the first time at The San
Francisco International Auto Show, open to consumers November 21-28 at The
Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. ZAP will be displaying its other
vehicles, including its new WORLDCAR(TM), a battery-electric car recently
certified by The State of California Air Resources Board. See ZAP's exhibit at
booth numbers 1145 and 1150.
With sales goals of 15,000 vehicles per year, the 60-MPG SMART car catapults
ZAP into the automotive industry at a time when U.S. gas prices are at record
levels. The publicly owned Northern California Company made a name for itself
over the past decade pioneering the market for electric cars, bikes and
scooters. The SMART car enables ZAP to execute its new business plan of
establishing a ZAP auto dealer network that caters to socially responsible car
buyers with advanced automotive technologies, including fuel-efficient
automobiles powered by gasoline, electric, hydrogen and other fuels.
In May, ZAP signed an exclusive distribution contract with SMART-Automobile LLC
for the rights to sell the cars in the United States. ZAP and SMART-Automobile
are preparing to launch marketing and distribution for the car with a near-term
goal of 150 dealer outlets by second quarter of fiscal year 2005.
The SMART Car Americanized by ZAP is stylish, fun, parks in the space of a
motorcycle, stands up to a Mercedes in crash-tests, and reportedly averages 60
MPG, making it one of the most efficient internal combustion cars on the
market, rivaling even hybrid gas-electric cars. The SMART car has become a
popular culture icon since its release in Europe in 1998 and ZAP believes
Americans will snap up the SMART with gas prices in California approaching $3
per gallon.
Aside from the fuel-savings, officials with ZAP and SMART-Automobile believe
the styling and design of the car will have the same appeal to U.S. consumers
as cars like the popular Mini Cooper(R), although the SMART is smaller and more
fuel-efficient. The two-passenger "micro-cars" are a product of European
innovation, encompassing a number of "SMART" designs to create an economical
car that requires less space and fuel. SMART designers chose to create a
two-passenger coupe that provides ample room for two adult passengers. At eight
feet in length, the car is short enough to back into a parallel parking spot;
two can park bumper-to-bumper in a single parking space.
Other features and options of the SMART car include a 61-hp, 3-cylinder
turbocharged engine, equipped with an advanced electronic stabilization
program, or ESP, an anti-skid design using the engine torque in conjunction
with the anti-lock braking system. A unique 6-speed automatic gear transmission
with kickdown function allows the user to switch between "automatic" and
"manual" gear shifting via a control program that changes gears in response to
driving characteristics. SMART's design emphasizes safety, with a tridion
safety cell, steel-reinforced construction, higher passenger elevation for
enhanced visibility, and front and rear "crashbox" low-speed dent resistant
panels. The SMART package is rounded out with additional sport features and
options like dual airbags, power windows, power door locks and options like
air-conditioning and convertible roof. The new SMART cars are available to ZAP
dealers in select states. For dealer and sales information, visit
http://www.zapworld.com/ or call +1-707-525-8658.
SMART-Automobiles LLC is an independent, privately-held company that oversees
the direct importation and modification of automobiles to meet U.S. standards.
About ZAP
ZAP has been a leader in clean transportation technologies since 1994,
delivering more than 85,000 vehicles to customers in more than 60 countries. A
public company, ZAP is traded on the Over-the-Counter stock exchange under the
symbol ZAPZ. The company offers a variety of advanced technology vehicles,
including electric cars, bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, underwater scooters
and more. For more information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/ or call
+1-707-525-8658.
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the
Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new
products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party
suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to
time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041122/SFM044
DATASOURCE: ZAP
CONTACT: Alex Campbell of ZAP, +1-707-525-8658, ext. 241, or
Web site: http://www.zapworld.com/