Ethanol, Electric Micro-Cars ZAP!(R) National Dealer Expo, February 11-14 in Orlando

Submitted by acampbell on Mon, 02/13/2006 - 21:00.

Ethanol, Electric Micro-Cars ZAP!(R) National Dealer Expo, February 11-14 in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL--Feb 13, 2006 -- An ethanol-powered "trybrid" called the OBVIO ! 828 was introduced to auto dealers this week by automotive pioneer ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) at the nation's largest auto dealer gathering.

Ethanol-Powered "Trybrid"

ZAP showcased a prototype hybrid car called the OBVIO ! 828 at NADA 2006. The hybrid sports car design uses a dual-fueled engine that burns both gasoline and, ethanol, a component of President Bush's new energy initiative announced during the State of the Union.

Officials at ZAP are still reveling in the recent State of the Union Address in which President George Bush affirmed ZAP's stance that "America was addicted to oil" as he announced a new initiative to research alternative fuels, particularly ethanol, a fuel derived from agriculture. ZAP, who has been pioneering alternatively fueled vehicles for more than a decade, is forming an automotive manufacturing venture with Brazil's OBVIO !(TM) Automotoveiculos S.P.E. Ltd., of Rio de Janeiro to import a new OBVIO ! "trybrid" sports car to the US by 2007 that can be powered by ethanol.

Dual-fuel technology is common in Brazil, where gasoline supply is unpredictable. These engines can use gasoline, ethanol or any mixture of the two and officials with ZAP are looking to build on the success of hybrids by bringing "trybrid" drivetrains to the US, or hybrids that use dual-fuel engines.

"Obviously we are pleased by President Bush's comments in support of alternative fuels and ethanol because this week we were planning to introduce just such a technology to US auto dealers in the form of the OBVIO ! 828," said ZAP Chief Executive Officer Steve Schneider, who noted that ZAP is also introducing an all-electric car called the XEBRA.

ZAP celebrated presidential support for alternative fuels from the recent State of the Union Address by hiring a local impersonator to entertain attendees at the nation's largest auto dealer conference.

To celebrate the occasion, ZAP engaged the services of a local George Bush impersonator to entertain attendees to the National Automobile Dealers Association this week. According to the NADA, its members comprise approximately 20,000 franchised new car and truck dealers holding nearly 43,000 separate franchises, domestic and international, representing a dealer base with revenues of $699 billion annually according to 2005 statistics.

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