TOP NEWS

October 03, 2008

ZAP Expands Workforce to Meet Record Demand for Electric Vehicles

ARTICLE TOOLS        | E-MailPrint RSS

SANTA ROSA, CA – As a result of an increase in demand for electric cars and other forms of plug-in transportation, alternative energy pioneer ZAP has increased its workforce by almost 30 percent since the beginning of the year.

"While most U.S. automakers are laying off workers and facing declining sales, ZAP is experiencing record growth," said CEO Steve Schneider. "We are proud that ZAP is one of the few companies selling cost-effective, plug-in transportation today." He added that ZAP is launching new electric vehicles this quarter.

In August, ZAP set an unaudited sales record of $737,000 — an 88 percent increase over the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to demand for its Xebra sedans and trucks. While job experts claim careers in alternative energy are one of our economy's bright spots, Schneider said there is a shortage of qualified electric car engineers, salesmen, and international business experts.

A new joint venture in Kentucky, Integrity Automotive, is expected to create hundreds of jobs building electric cars for ZAP over the next year. ZAP formed the joint venture with Integrity Manufacturing of Shepherdsville to shift some of its manufacturing to the United States. In August the joint venture broke ground on a factory in Franklin, Kentucky. Integrity Automotive is accepting job applications at http://integritymotives.com.

Schneider said electric transportation, solar, wind, and similar technologies are becoming the mainstream. He cited actions taken by stock market visionary Warren Buffett, who recently started investing in energy-efficient transportation technologies, and oil industry veteran T. Boone Pickens who is investing in solar and wind energy.  

RATE THIS STORY

Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (2 votes)

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Please log in to write comment.

New user? Sign up for new membership now!

NEWS ARCHIVE SEARCH



Sponsored Links

Flexible & Powerful Fleet Software
Chevin fleet management software - Where flexibility comes standard. Solutions for all types of vehicle and transport operations. Click Here.

BLOG

The Credit Crisis Impact on Fleet? Look to 1973 for Clues

By Mike Antich
Fuel prices hit record highs. The cost of financing a fleet doubles. Used-vehicle values plummet. Dealers are unable to sell the vehicles they have in inventory. Geopolitically, the U.S. is embroiled in war and the macro-economy teeters on recession. If you think I'm talking about 2008, think again. The year was 1973.

Used-Vehicle Market Nosedives in October: More Downward Movement Anticipated

By Mike Antich
October was an extremely difficult month to remarket vehicles in the wholesale market as resale prices took a precipitous drop. Wholesale pricing, based on mixed mileage and seasonally adjusted, declined a record 6 percent in October. The lack of credit to both dealers and retail buyers has been the key catalyst contributing to the downturn in the wholesale market. The market forecast is gloomy until the credit gridlock is resolved.

Don't Let Drivers Grow Complacent with Lower Fuel Prices

By Mike Antich

94% of Fleet Managers Don’t Know the Whereabouts of Their Fleet Vehicles

By Mike Antich

STORE

$5.00

Business Fleet - July/August 2008

In This Issue:
When Donating Makes Sense, Considering Alternative Fuels? Find Funding Now!, The Future of In-Car Communications and much more…