The next "revolutionary" green car
manufacturer
has popped up and
this time it's the brainchild of former Oracle Corp. executive Ray Varasano.
It's called V-Vehicle, and is backed by a dream team of investors--former oilman T. Boone Pickens, former Mazda N.A. design chief Tom Matano and Fisker Automotive-investor Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers have all pumped money into the San Diego-based company.
Unlike Tesla's push for all-electric vehicles, V-Vehicle is looking to make either a more efficient gas powertrain or, considering Pickens is now a natural gas proponent, it might go the CNG route. The company was founded on the ideology that it will build a "high-quality, environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient car for the U.S. market."
V-Vehicle is planning to use a former GM headlight plant in Monroe, Louisiana to build its alternative cars. The plant underwent a $100 million revamp and will employ about 1,400 people from the bayou state.
For those that are interested in hearing more, you can head to the Louisiana Economic Development Web site and get some first-hand commentary from the major investors (keep in mind it's a Louisiana promotional video).
Looks like Tesla is going to have some well-funded competition in the coming years. Regardless of which company comes out on top, it's good to know it will be an American one.
Miata Designer Matana, T.Boone Pickens Part of Start-Up Car Company
estreka says:
04:33 PM, 06/18/09
"Regardless of which company comes out on top"
I'd like one to come out at all. Where's the beef?
adb4 says:
05:31 AM, 06/19/09
Hmm...
Start of production in 15 months.
Aside from Matano, no real automotive background (aside from spending money).
No leadership team announced (Marketing, Engineering, etc).
No prototypes seen.
No dealer/distribution deal announced.
Unless they're going to drop a CNG engine in an existing vehicle, I'm smellin' vaporware...
felonious says:
09:21 AM, 06/19/09
To add to your list:
No website yet?
firstwagon says:
12:31 PM, 06/19/09
I really want to believe they are serious about coming up with a something important and different in the "green" market but a little voice in the back of my mind keeps saying the main purpose of the company is raise as much money as possible from governments and investors eager to get in on the next big thing.
Then they will do some R&D, come up with a cool looking prototype that will never see production and fade away when the money runs out (or rather into the pockets of the guys that started it).
...and then blame government, economy and the public for it.