SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Automotive Pioneer ZAP (PCX:ZP) of Santa Rosa, California announced today the first public showing of its latest vehicles, including the WORLDCAR(tm), OBVIO!, XEBRA(tm) and Smart Car, at the 47th Annual San Francisco International Auto Show, November 19-27 at The Moscone Center (Booth #1030).
With the idea of saving gas on everyones' minds these days, ZAP plans to unveil its new XEBRA(tm), one of the world's only production all-electric cars. U.S. consumers will have the first chance to order this unique four-passenger vehicle for under $10,000 as ZAP sets up distribution in the United States through its authorized dealers.
ZAP is also unveiling two new prototype "trybrid" automobiles through a partnership with Brazilian automaker OBVIO!(tm) Automotoveiculos S.P.E. Ltda., of Rio de Janeiro. ZAP is the exclusive North American distributor for the OBVIO! "trybrids," which have the ability to run on gas, electricity or alcohol. ZAP plans to make OBVIO! available to consumers through its dealer network by 2007.
ZAP will also showcase the WORLDCAR(tm), one of the only commercially available hydrogen-powered automobiles. Through ZAP's joint venture with Anuvu of Sacramento, California, the WORLDCAR(tm) utilizes a hydrogen-electric hybrid drive train that is now available to qualified buyers.
Auto Show visitors are encouraged to stop by ZAP's booth #1030 where the Company will be hosting an electric scooter zone with free rides for the whole family. Full specifications about ZAP vehicles are available on its Web site http://www.zapworld.com.
About ZAP
ZAP, Zero Air Pollution(r), has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP has a 10-year license with eight and a half years remaining on the technology developed by Smart-Automobile LLC to Americanize the popular European-made Smart Car for the U.S. marketplace. ZAP "Americanizes" the Smart Car to meet U.S. federal and state safety and emissions standards through registered importers. ZAP currently complies with regulatory requirements in all states except California and four other states. ZAP is not affiliated with, or authorized by, smart gmbh, the manufacturer of Smart automobiles, or the smartUSA division of Mercedes-Benz LLC, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of those vehicles. ZAP purchases its vehicles from non-affiliated direct importer Smart-Automobile LLC. For more information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. 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 on 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.