POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC--(Marketwire - April 28, 2008) -
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com, a leading investor news and research portal
for the renewable energy sector within Investorideas.com, presents Driving
Green, an in-depth interview with Jonathan Ortiz of Foreign Affairs Auto, a
dealership established in 1982 that carries a blend of cars ranging from
luxury cars to green vehicles. As owner of Foreign Affairs Auto, Florida's
1st Smart Dealership, Mr. Ortiz provides
first-hand perspective of the changing demographics he sees at his
dealership of the typical green car enthusiast, and advises new dealers
contemplating carrying green autos what it takes to make it a success.
When asked how his interest in green cars and electric cars developed and
how he became Florida's 1st Smart Dealership, he responded, "I was
attending a University in Rome in 2003 when I began researching bringing a
Smart Car to the US for my personal use. I contacted Daimler Chrysler and
they repeatedly told me it was not available in the USA. A few months
later I came across a company in Santa Rosa, CA named ZAP (
OTCBB:
ZAAP).
ZAP had spent millions to make the Smart Car legal in the USA so that it
could pass all DOT and EPA regulations. My family and I flew down and
signed a formal license agreement and became the first dealership to offer
the Smart Car. We had an amazing two years but were informed by Daimler
they would be importing the cars and marketing it on their own and brought
our Smart Car era to an end.
"It left us with a sentimental void but opened our eyes to an enormous
market with Florida residents seeking fuel efficient earth friendly
vehicles, so we began our search for the next Smart Car. Continuing our
relationship with ZAP, we decided to go even greener with their electric
vehicles."
Mr. Ortiz also noted a change in demographics of the green car enthusiast
as consumers come to terms with $4.00 gas, opening it up to a larger more
mainstream audience. He is also convinced that the market for EVs will be
driven by consumer interest and demand to have a cleaner and more fuel
efficient vehicle, not the diminishing fuel reserves. ZAP has one of the
largest and growing distribution systems in the USA for 100% electric
vehicles.
To hear the full interview:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.investorideas.com/podcasts/2008/dg042308.mp3
Driving Green Podcasts at InvestorIdeas.com:
http://www.investorideas.com/dg/
Foreign Affairs Auto: www.foreignaffairsauto.com
About Featured Showcase Company, Electric car pioneer ZAP (
OTCBB:
ZAAP):
ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994,
delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At
the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies
including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell,
ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture
to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group,
one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing
a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X
engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of
vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery
Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with
Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle
distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology
that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops.
About Our Green Investor Portals:
www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com® is one of several green investor portals
within Investorideas.com. The green investor portals are hosting the
upcoming free online investor conference, "Insight into Global Green
Investing Trends and Opportunities in Solar, Wind, Biofuel, Green
Transportation, Water and More," March 21, 2008. For more info:
http://www.investorideas.com/Forums/Portals/Green2.aspx.
Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations. Nothing on our sites
should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or
securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees
as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to
featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and
is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by
featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure:
ZAP currently pays the equivalent of two thousand five hundred in 144
shares
www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Additional disclosure:
http://www.investorideas.com/About/News/Clientspecifics.asp
Contact Information: For more information contact:
Dawn Van Zant
800.665.0411
Email: