CODA Automotive: CODA news

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Old 09-22-2010, 10:31 AM
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CODA Automotive: CODA news

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2010...NEWS/100929964

Coda Automotive Inc. will begin delivering the first of its electric compact sedans in December priced at $44,900 before federal and state incentives.

With federal incentives, the starting price will be $37,400, and with California state incentives, the price could be as low as $32,400.

Coda will initially rely on 600-square-foot company-owned satellite stores located in Los Angeles and San Francisco shopping malls to market the vehicle, Coda CEO Kevin Czinger said. Since the stores are factory-owned, no delivery or destination charges are expected.

A flagship store in Santa Monica--where Coda is based--is scheduled to open in spring 2011, with 17 retail locations open by the end of 2011. Czinger predicted the company will sell 14,000 vehicles by the end of 2011.

When asked how the Coda will compete against the much-cheaper Nissan Leaf, Czinger said: “Price is not a decisive factor in the sale of electric cars. I think the 40 percent additional range, and 40 percent additional battery energy with all-season thermal management, is the decisive factor.”

Based on aggressive driving tests, Czinger said the car has a range of 90 to 120 miles, and under less aggressive driving, the range can be extended to 120-130 miles. The Coda takes about six hours to recharge from empty with a 220-volt recharging system. Czinger said the Coda has the same crash-safety ratings as a BMW 3-series sedan.

As for service, customers will contact a Coda “car valet” if there is a problem, although third-party service and warranty providers will handle actual repairs. The installation of home-recharging units will be handled by EV Connect and Sears technicians.

The Coda is mostly assembled in China by Changan-Hafei, while final assembly--including installation of the energy storage system--is performed in Benicia, Calif.

Key suppliers include BorgWarner Inc. for the transaxle, Lear Corp. for the charger, UQM for the motor and motor-controller and Delphi Holding LLP for the AC/DC converter. LIO Energy Systems of Tianjin, China, is assembling the electric battery pack, while the battery pack's thermal management system was engineered by Mitsubishi Electric.
Old 09-22-2010, 10:32 AM
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A Chianese built "me too" electric vehicle for the CA tree huggers.
Old 09-22-2010, 10:41 AM
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Dimmensions:

Wheelbase 102.3 inches
Track-Front 57.9 inches
Track-Rear 57.9 inches
Overall Length 176.1 inches
Overall Width 68.5 inches
Overall Height 57.6 inches
Turning Radius 17.5 ft (curb)/18.6 ft (wall)
Headroom (front/rear) 38.7” / 36.6”
Shoulder Room (front/rear) 53.0 / 52.0 inches
Legroom (front/rear) 42.3 / 31.7 inches
Trunk Space 20 cubic ft
Passenger Space 82 cubic ft
Curb Weight 3,682 lbs
Old 09-22-2010, 10:42 AM
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Specs:

Motor Power 100 kW/134 hp
Motor Torque 300 Nm/221 lb-ft
Transmission Single speed gear reduction
Drive Ratio 6.54:1
Suspension Four-wheel independent with front and rear MacPherson struts
Steering Rack-and-pinion with electric power steering
Air Conditioning 2.0 kW cabin cooling
DCC Converter 2.2 kW @13 V output
Charger 6.6 kW / 240VAC input or 1.3 kW / 110 VAC Input (back-up charging)
Wheels 17-inch 5-spoke wheels with 205 / 45 / RF17 tires
Old 09-22-2010, 10:44 AM
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Old 09-22-2010, 10:44 AM
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Old 09-22-2010, 10:47 AM
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Czinger predicted the company will sell 14,000 vehicles by the end of 2011.
That's over 1000/mo - good luck. How many Leaf sales does Nissan have? Heck, Chevy will be lucky to sell that many Volts.
Old 09-23-2010, 12:07 AM
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$44,900?!?! GTFO!

This car should be aptly named "Weak Sauce" because at that price-point that is exactly what the buyer will be getting.

It could be a decent car for those who only did urban/city/town driving, and if it was priced at a reasonable $15000. At $44,900 they're hoping to sell the idea of "zero emissions" and "zero fossil fuel dependence" rather than a practical and efficient automobile.

As I see it, only overzealous idiots with money to throw around or those in the public eye (politicians, bureaucrats, high-profile'rs, etc.) will pay anywhere around $32,400 or more for this vehicle, and that too would be done for public image reasons rather than a true environmental motive.
Old 09-23-2010, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Moksha
$44,900?!?! GTFO!

As I see it, only overzealous idiots with money to throw around or those in the public eye (politicians, bureaucrats, high-profile'rs, etc.) will pay anywhere around $32,400 or more for this vehicle, and that too would be done for public image reasons rather than a true environmental motive.
Old 09-24-2010, 11:13 AM
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This vehicle will be a bust for sure, no one who is conscious on saving fuel will be able to afford a vehicle that can only travel a 90-120mi. range, especially for $32K.
Old 09-24-2010, 11:27 AM
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If I'm going get killed by a shitty car, I'd rather it be a Toyota Prius.

At least I know the Japanese will do it right and not just make me a vegetable since the Chinese can't finish anything correctly.
Old 09-24-2010, 01:07 PM
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Maybe I spoke too soon about the sales goal - apparently the Leaf already has 20K orders.
Old 05-01-2013, 06:16 AM
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http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#axzz2S2RrvfcM

Green car startup Coda Holdings Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today after selling just 100 of its all-electric sedans, another example of battery-powered vehicles' failure to break into the mass market.

The filing with U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware will allow the Los Angeles assembler of Chinese-made EVs to exit the auto sector and refocus on energy storage, a far less capital-intensive business. The company uses the same technology it used in cars to build systems for utilities and building operators to store power.

A group of lenders led by Fortress Investment Group LLC plan to extend debtor-in-possession financing and will seek to acquire the company for $25 million through the bankruptcy process, Coda said in a statement.

Under Phil Murtaugh, former chief of General Motors' China unit, Coda launched its five-passenger electric car in California a year ago, delivering a range of 125 miles on a single charge. The $37,250 vehicle was criticized for its no-frills styling, and its short history also included a recall due to faulty airbags.

Just three years ago Coda was one of an emerging crop of California startups including Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors Inc. seeking to build emission-free electric cars to appeal to mass-market consumers.

Investors poured money into the sector, and Coda raised $300 million in equity from backers including Aeris Capital, Limited Brands CEO Les Wexner, and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The company, however, in 2012 withdrew its request for $334 million in federal loans.

As the allure of EVs faded, Coda struggled to secure new private funding. Last year, Coda sought to raise $150 million but clinched just $22 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Tesla has put thousands of cars on the road, but Fisker is considering a bankruptcy filing. Fisker's lithium-ion battery maker, A123 Systems Inc., filed for bankruptcy late last year.

Coda has about 40 active employees and expects to recall 50 furloughed workers. Emerald Capital Advisors is advising Coda on its restructuring, and Houlihan Lokey is its investment banker.
Old 05-01-2013, 06:17 AM
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At least it wasn't my tax dollars wasted on this.
Old 05-01-2013, 03:33 PM
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Codas are tiny little POS'

Century City Mall had one of their "dealers" which has since become a Tesla location.

They are reminiscent of junky little Euro cars from the 80s. I've only seen ONE actual car on the road. And I feel sorry for that poor sap.
Old 05-01-2013, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Sarlacc
Codas are tiny little POS'

Century City Mall had one of their "dealers" which has since become a Tesla location.

They are reminiscent of junky little Euro cars from the 80s. I've only seen ONE actual car on the road. And I feel sorry for that poor sap.
Why?

He's saving the world by burning clean, efficient coal to power his vehicle.
Old 05-01-2013, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Why?

He's saving the world by burning clean, efficient coal to power his vehicle.
And he was doing it with huge gaudy coda decals all over his failure of a car.
Old 05-01-2013, 04:57 PM
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^^ I bet he had a "Coexist" sticker on the bumper too.
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