Coda Automotive, an all-electric Sedan "for the masses."

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California., Coda Automotive is a manufacturer of all-electric, highway capable vehicles. For better or for worst, most of the blogging world has become very familiar with the Tesla and other EV companies, but the new addition of Coda could shake-up the landscape of all-electric vehicles. It is reported that Miles Rubin is the champion and steward of the new release. Coda has plans of making first shipments in Fall of 2009, but only to the state of California. Currently, Coda has a joint relationship with Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint Stock Co., Ltd., which provides the lithium-ion batteries used in the Coda. The four-door, five-passenger, fully loaded mid sized sedan will be available for $45,000 (mid-30’s after $7,500 tax credit and other state incentives).

According to Coda Automotive, the sedan will be powered by a 333v lithium-ion battery with a range of 90 to 120 miles, which is all dependent on driving habits. Coda suggests that the new sedan will travel far enough to satisfy 94% of daily driving routines. The vehicle also comes protected with a three-year/36,000 mile warranty.

The current guidance suggests that the vehicle will arrive in Fall of 2009 for California drivers. I suspect there will be a delay in delivery, followed by the typical recalls, similar to what has recently transpired with Tesla Motors. Only time will tell, so stay tuned!

I can't imagine Tesla Motors being happy about this one. Better yet, I can't imagine the owners are happy. Talk about some bad press..

Today, the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put a halt to the positive vibes Tesla has been fueling. The most recent recall of the Tesla Roadster could prove to be a huge hit for the company.

“Tesla Motors, Inc. is recalling 345 2008 Tesla Roadster vehicles manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose…”

Ummm…so you’re saying that this could cause you to crash. If Tesla doesn’t shape up, the new Roadster is going to be known as the all-electric-wrecking-mobile. All you Tesla Roadster owners, you better get your ride back to the shop.

Even better, call the following: “Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safecar.gov.”

Matchmade in Heaven.

Today, a post on Tesla Motor’s website indicates a new strategic partnership with Daimler AG.  Tesla Motor’s has relinquished 10% of their equity to ink the partnership with the Daimler. The new partnership will allow Daimler AG access to battery systems, electric drive systems, and vehicle projects.

Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Daimler AG.

Cross your fingers, this could be a giant step for sustainable mobility! The acquisition has been estimated at double digit multi million dollar deal.

About Tesla Motors
San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors Inc. makes electric vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency, while conforming to all North American and European safety, environmental and durability standards. The Roadster has a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds yet is more energy efficient than a Toyota Prius. Tesla expects to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emission Model S sedan in late 2011.

source: http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=1356

Wow, what a tease! Discussions about the future of Tesla Motor’s Model S have really hit an all-time high in recent days, especially with the recent article in BusinessWeek. DrivePwr was excited to stumble on the recent article and thought it would be a good idea to blog this one out.

So, as you can see from the image above, Tesla Motors has decided to give a sneak-peak of the Model S, but I have to say that this is more than a simple tease. This is the epitome of everything going on with Tesla Motors, and I think with this photo and the recent news, the proof is in the pudding. I think one could argue they are losing their identity through the recent credit crunch and their internal firings. They have fired about 80 of their 380 people, and have further delayed the launch of the Model S. It looks like the launch, according the BusinessWeek article, will be delayed until 2011. Ouch.  Tesla Motors better get to work on the 1,200 back orders of their Roadster, or they could really find themselves in a tough spot.

All-in-all the loss of Tesla’s identity could force the company, who does zero marketing, to start investing in their reputation. If the the October 11th credit crunch holds strong, this could leave Tesla with out their Energy Department loan guarantees and could ignite a fire that will prove tough to put out.  Falling oil prices could sway the attention from Tesla Motors and force them to grab the spot light again. With that said, I’m not sure the teaser photo was the solution, but merely a band-aid.

Click the above image to view the Tesla image gallery

Well, as they say “another one bites the dust.” I can hear the classic Queen song in my head as I begin writing the obituary of the former CEO, Ze’ev Drori.  In my mind, it seems like yesterday we were mourning the passing of CEO, Martin Eberhard.  I feel bad for the next poor bastard that steps up for the challenge. In the meantime,  Chairman Elon Musk will take over duties as the acting CEO.  In everyone’s mind, it seemed like Ze’ev Drori was going to be a good fit with Tesla Motors, but it seems “Extraordinary times require focus,” stated Elon Musk in his latest blog post.

“For this critical phase of the company, the scope of my role at Tesla will expand from executive chairman and product architect to CEO. With SpaceX now having reached orbit and about to enter it’s third year of profitability, I can afford to increase time allocated to Tesla.  Ze’ev Drori, who has made extraordinary progress with the company over the last year as CEO, will stay on the board of directors as vice-chairman and continue to help make the right decisions. It has been and will continue to be a pleasure and an honor working with Ze’ev.”

I guess he is referring to the tough economic times which are forcing young companies, like Tesla Motors, to tighten the belt.  Or maybe Tesla got too big for their britches? Either way, as John McCain would say “Change is Coming.” We’ll all just have to sit tight and wait for Tesla Motor’s next big reveal, the Model S sedan.

Luxgen EV Design Prototype

You may ask yourself two questions: Who is AC Propulsion  and who is Yulon?  Furthermore, why should I care about a deal between these two companies?.  Well, AC Propulsion is a California based company that has been a leader in developing elecric vehicle drive systems.  They introduced the first AC-150, 150 kW (200 hp) integrated drive system in 1994. The AC-150 has been used in a variety of applications, such as a biodiesel hybrid. They are also a leader in Vehicle to grid or V2G systems with their second generation AC-150 drivetrain offering a bidirectional grid power connection. In addition to building components and providing technology for EVs, AC Propulsion also now offers their own electric vehicle called the Ebox, a conversion of a Toyota Scion for about $55K.  As an interested reader about EV developments and technology, you have probably heard of the Tesla Roadster.  AC Propulsion licensed its technology to Tesla Motors in 2004 for the development of this awesome EV.

Yulon on the other hand, builds cars for Nissan Motor Co. in China and the Phillipines, builds cars for Mitsubishi motors in China and designs and builds a variety of autmotive parts and components in China and Taiwan. The bottom line is they are a huge, well funded company.

Yulon intends to use AC Propulsion technolgy to develop their own line of EVs under the Luxgen brand name.