SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec. 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZAP Jonway (OTCBB:ZAAP), a designer and manufacturer of new energy and electric vehicles (EVs), plans production of the ALIAS, ZAP's highly anticipated sports EV, in the fourth quarter of 2012.
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This limited edition production is now planned due to popular demand. It will showcase the engineering excellence of the ZAP Jonway's EV power train and design. This 3-wheel version of the Alias is designed to be highway safety compliant and yet be able to expedite the long type approval testing process for entering into the U.S. market. Designed with decades of electric and automotive experience, the ALIAS serves a growing niche of automotive enthusiasts who want an affordable electric vehicle with the performance, looks and handling of an impressive sports car. The vehicle has a peak torque of over 200 kilowatts and range of 150 miles between charges. With one of the best engineered EV motors available supplied by Remy Motors, compact and light weight, the vehicle's performance, handling and ride is competitive with traditional Tier One sports vehicles.
"This highly anticipated, sleek, top-of-the-line electric vehicle appeals to the elite looking for a performance sports car that is different," stated Steve Schneider, Co-CEO of ZAP Jonway's US operations. "We are launching the ALIAS for production this year by popular demand, even though our main market focus is on fleets. We believe this limited edition production of the three-wheel version is not only uniquely different, but also accelerates our entry into the U.S. market and creates a whole new class of vehicles under the motorcycle category that is highway safe and compliant. We have designed the ALIAS to meet all of the US highway crash protection criteria for a four-wheel vehicle."
Alex Wang, Co-CEO of ZAP Jonway's China operations, stated: "The Jonway team has applied its significant experience in manufacturing automobiles and motorcycles to manufacturing and producing the ALIAS. We are excited with this opportunity to be the first Chinese company to produce and deliver a locally manufactured sports vehicle designed for the international market. Jonway Auto with ZAP's EV design experience is now able to deliver a world-class electric vehicle sports car, the ALIAS. One of Jonway Group's companies is Jonway Motorcycle and is one of the largest exporters of scooters and motorcycles in China. We shall be utilizing our international motorcycle distribution channels to become part of ALIAS' dealer distribution partners. This EV launch exemplifies the synergies between the two companies and leverages the strength of Jonway Motorcycle's international dealership networks to sell and market ZAP's ALIAS, a long-awaited differentiated product that is classified in the high-end motorcycle category, while performing and with the safety of regular four-wheel automobiles."
About ZAP Jonway
ZAP Jonway combines the attributes of both companies, ZAP and Jonway Automobile, to design and manufacture quality, affordable gasoline and new energy electric vehicles (EVs). With Jonway Automobile's established ISO 9000 manufacturing facilities, research and development and sales and customer services facilities in China, ZAP Jonway is well positioned to scale up production and sales for both gasoline and EVs for China and the international markets. ZAP, an early pioneer of EVs, brings to the new combined company a broad range of EV design experience that is being applied to new product lines. ZAP Jonway is focused on addressing EV fleets targeting city delivery trucks and vans used by university campuses, government and corporate markets in China and the United States, while utilizing its gasoline vehicle production quantities to gain economy of scale through its common vehicle parts and platforms. ZAP Jonway benefits from the established China dealership and customer support network developed by Jonway Automobile for its China sales and services. ZAP Jonway is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California and its production facility is located in Zhejiang Province of the People's Republic of China. Additional information about ZAP Jonway is available at http://www.zapworld.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
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 ZAP's products, increased levels of competition, new products and technological changes, ZAP's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights and other risks detailed from time to time in ZAP's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
