Coda Automotive undergoes "massive layoffs" *UPDATE

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:14:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials, Electric

Plug In Cars is reporting that there have been "massive layoffs" at California electric vehicle startup Coda Automotive. Apparently, more than 50 employees, "including a substantial part of its sales and marketing staff," were let go according to an anonymous source. The source said the situation was a "real mess," and that, "They just cut everybody they possibly could."

That things have come to this is perhaps not exactly a surprise. Sales have been slow - not even 100 units of the company's $37,250 all-electric sedan have been sold since it went on sale in March, then there was a safety recall and reviews haven't been kind. Last week, the vehicle scored just two stars in frontal crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We have reached out to Coda to confirm Plug In Cars' report, but have yet to hear back.

*UPDATE: Coda sent us this statement, from Forrest Beanum, SVP of Government Relations & External Affairs:

CODA has released approximately 50 employees or 15% of our workforce across all functions to streamline our operations and right-size the Company. The Company is taking this action to better position our business going forward. We remain committed to the continued development and distribution of our products. The quality and safety of our products is of paramount importance. CODA vehicles meet all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and achieved an overall 4-star rating in National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing.

Coda Automotive undergoes "massive layoffs" *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Coda Sedan

Michael Harley — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Electric, Quick Spins

A Chinese EV From California's Newest Automaker

"Simple."

The word floated around the room and landed gently on our notepad during the morning press conference. Initially, it seemed like a perfect fit. But the more we learned about the new all-electric 2012 Coda sedan, the more we realized that "simple" was nothing but a misunderstood first impression.

Strictly discussing physical appearances, the Coda four-door is easily the least interesting vehicle we have set our eyes on in years - "unassuming" is an understatement. Yet an in-depth look reveals the plain-Jane façade is deceiving. Hidden beneath the ho-hum sheetmetal, under the hard plastic dash and below the thin-pile carpet is an ingenious all-electric propulsion system. Not just forward thinking, it shows genuine promise and innovation.

We recently spent several hours with Coda, visiting its first retail store, learning about the technology inside that uninspiring bodywork and taking an hour-long test drive in the Los Angeles Basin. Our visit answered a lot of questions. Who is behind Coda? What is the Chinese connection? How does the Coda sedan drive? Most importantly, how does newcomer Coda expect to compete against other EVs in the segment?

Continue reading 2012 Coda Sedan

2012 Coda Sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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