CODA Automotive Makes Auto Show Debut in Los Angeles with 'Zen Meets Tech' Theme and Educational Series

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, will make its auto show debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month. The company will host a press reception to kick off the show on Wednesday, November 17 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. As part of an ongoing commitment to educate consumers about sustainability and green energy technology, CODA will host a series of educational seminars throughout the show, ultimately reaching more than 600 students.

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"CODA was formed around the idea that a small, nimble team of committed innovators could create a technology to change an industry and build a car company that meets the needs of the 21st century consumer," said Mac Heller, CEO, CODA Automotive. "The LA Auto Show is an important and exciting moment in CODA's history. We look forward to using this opportunity to further one of our goals: to educate folks about the role CODA plays in the significant movement at hand."

Like its business model and car, CODA's booth is a break from tradition and was designed to showcase the company's brand identity. "Zen meets Tech" is the overarching aesthetic theme. The booth is constructed largely out of eco-friendly materials. The walls are constructed from salvaged Picklewood that was collected from various sites in North America. The floor is made from recycled rubber, the graphics are printed on recycled papers with eco-friendly inks and live plants have been incorporated. A central element of the booth is the "Commitment Wall" which visitors will populate with their thoughts on sustainability, the environment and green technology.

"As a relative newcomer, we wanted to create a design and theme that is as bold and innovative as our brand," said Sean Blankenship, SVP Marketing, CODA Automotive. "Many of the themes presented in our booth will be incorporated into the look and feel of our upcoming retail test drive locations that will continue to educate the general public about the environmental benefits of EVs."

More than 600 students from more than 15 Los Angeles-area schools will join CODA at the show to learn about various topics including electric vehicles, sustainability, environmental protection and innovations in green technology. Numerous organizations focused on sustainability, health and education throughout Southern California have joined the effort and will help facilitate the seminars throughout the show.  

"Building a car for the 21st century is exciting, but electric vehicles represent far more than just a new type of car," said K. Forrest Beanum, VP Public Affairs & Communication, CODA Automotive. "Over the last few years we have seen a shift in global consciousness about the critical nature of the environmental issues that confront us. This education series reflects CODA's larger vision to educate the future drivers of America who will be the 'drivers' of this new technology."

The auto show debut will provide one of the first public opportunities for consumers to engage directly with the CODA brand and see a CODA production prototype. When it becomes available in 2011, the CODA will represent the first mainstream all-electric car from an all-electric car company. The car was designed to meet or exceed the daily transportation needs of most Americans with a dependable range of up to 120 miles, space for five and fast and convenient home charging.

CODA's core competency is Lithium-ion battery system design and manufacturing, and the CODA all-electric car is the first product to benefit from its advanced technology. CODA's innovative 33.8 kWh battery system with active thermal management will be the largest, most advanced system in its class, featuring at least 40% more usable energy than any plug-in car in its class. A full charge requires about six hours to complete plugged into a Level-II 240V outlet, and enough energy for a short, 40-mile commute will take approximately two hours. Consumers will have the opportunity to visit the CODA booth during the Los Angeles Auto Show in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, November 19 – 28.

For more information about the Los Angeles Auto Show please visit www.LAAutoShow.com.

About CODA Automotive: Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., CODA Automotive is working to reduce dependence on oil and is leading the way to a cleaner future through multi-use advanced battery systems for its all electric car, other electric vehicle manufacturers and a range of all utility applications such as wind and water power storage. CODA is working in a smart, interdependent way with more than 30 leading global technology and manufacturing companies to quickly and efficiently bring electric power battery technology to market. Through its exclusive battery system joint venture with Lishen Power Battery, LIO Energy Systems, CODA is also a large-scale producer of power battery systems for transportation and utility applications. The CODA™ Sedan is a four-door, five-passenger sedan with a full-size trunk that is designed to meet American drivers' daily transportation needs without using an ounce of gasoline.

For more information, please visit www.codaautomotive.com, follow @CODAautomotive on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CODAautomotive, or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coda.  

SOURCE CODA Automotive