Autoblog

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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All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos]

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Videos, Electric, MISC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the 2012 Coda electric sedan, and here is the good news about the results: the Coda scored five stars for the side crash and rollover tests, and four stars overall. What kept it from a five-star overall score is the bad news: a two-star result for its frontal impact test.

NHTSA issued a recall for the 2012 Coda over its side and window airbags, so there are two Codas listed in the test results - a pre-recall sedan that got no rating for the side impact test and no overall rating, and the post-recall sedan that was rated in every category.

To be even more precise on that frontal impact rating, the male crash dummy driver was left with a two-star score, the female crash dummy passenger got four stars. Judging from the videos, the frontal impact doesn't look like a two-star catastrophe, but NHTSA knows better than us and all of the deceleration and injury details are in these reports if you want to know everything.

If you just want to watch, however, videos of the crash tests can be found just below.

Continue reading All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos]

All-electric Coda Sedan gets crashed, earns just two stars in frontal test [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Electric

Coda may not have a new model to show off at the 2011 LA Auto Show, but the company can still make news with a price drop. Or with something that is a price drop in all but name.

In September 2010, Coda said its all-electric Sedan would cost $44,900. Today, that was refined downward to a more-reasonable $39,900, putting the car somewhat closer to parity with the Ford Focus Electric (which starts at $39,200). The Mitsubishi i ($29,125) and the Nissan Leaf ($35,200) are both cheaper options for smaller all-electric vehicles. Coda's Thomas Hausch told AutoblogGreen that, since Coda hasn't actually sold any of the Sedans for the previously announced price, the new base price isn't a drop. More of a readjustment.

This is just one change that has happened since former GM exec Phil Murtaugh became Coda CEO. Hausch wouldn't give us specific details, but said that Murtaugh instituted "significant cost reductions" all along the development chain to make the car more robust and simple. One minor change that Coda weirdly isn't touting but could be due to the company talking about things a bit prematurely last year, as PluginCars' Brad Berman noticed, is that the Sedan will come with a 36-kWh battery pack instead of the 34-kWh pack that had previously been announced. Estimated range is still 150 miles. The change doesn't negatively affect the pack's stated reliability. Coda today announced an "industry leading" battery warranty that lasts for ten years and 100,000 miles.

One other thing: Coda has started production, and Hausch said that the car is "sold out" until March or April of next year. All that means, though, is that enough people have paid the $99 reservation fee to claim a spot in line once the vehicles become available. The first deliveries should take place in January.

Continue reading Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery

Coda announces "price drop," starts production of all-electric Sedan with larger battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:39:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Electric

All-Electric Coda Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Want to drive an electric car but not ready to spend the money to own one? EV manufacturer Coda has the perfect solution for you. Coda has teamed up with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to place its all-electric sedan into the rental car company's fleet. The plan is to introduce about 100 sedans across various Enterprise locations throughout 2011.

The Coda Sedan is the company's first vehicle and it will be launched in the coming months. It's a five-passenger sedan with a full-size trunk and a cruising range of between 90 and 120 miles per charge. Coda is utilizing a 6.6 kW on-board charging system which requires six hours for a full charge, however, the system can provide a 40-mile cruising range with just a two hour charging period.

In addition to the Coda Sedan models entering the Enterprise rental fleet, the rental company will serve as a loaner car system for Coda owners. If a Coda vehicle requires service, an Enterprise rental car will be made available during the time the owner's Coda vehicle is in the shop. Read more in the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: All-Electric Coda Sedan

[Source: Coda]

Continue reading Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Coda EV models to be available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Coda electric sedan priced at $44,900 - over $12k more than Nissan Leaf

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Electric

Coda Sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

What plug-in car will cost more than a Nissan Leaf or a Chevrolet Volt but is virtually unknown to the American public? The Coda EV Sedan, that's what. Coda Automotive has announced that the price for its all-electric vehicle will be $44,900 - or, $37,400 after the feds chip in $7,500 as a tax credit. To compare, the Leaf costs $25,280 after incentives and the Volt can be had for $33,500 with federal help. So, your options will be to either buy a Volt and get an electric vehicle with a range extender or spend $4,000 more to go gas-free and have a longer EV-only range. Or, spend a lot less on the Leaf ($12,120) and go almost as far on battery power. The Leaf is expected to get around 100 miles to the charge, while Coda is saying that its 33.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery system with active thermal management will provide "a dependable all-weather range of up to 120 miles and at least 30 percent more usable energy than our leading competitor." Here's some of the not-as-good fine print:

After tax savings, net as low as $37,400. MSRP $44,900, with federal tax savings from 0-$7,500. Excludes tax, title and license. Initially available through online reservation process. Deliveries will commence in December 2010. Subject to change. Limited quantities available in California only. Increased availability in Spring 2011 with full market rollout through 2012. Taxpayer must incur federal tax liability to receive full benefits. Consult your tax professional.

Even reserving the car costs more than it does for the Leaf. Coda is asking for a $499 refundable deposit that can be placed here. The Coda will be available in California later this year and Hawaii in 2011.

Gallery: Coda Sedan

[Source: Coda Automotive]

2011 Coda electric sedan priced at $44,900 - over $12k more than Nissan Leaf originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miles EV launches Coda Automotive for full speed electric sedan w/Video

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, China, Green, Technology

Coda Automotive EV sedan - Click above for a high-res gallery

Today, Miles EV announced that the full speed electric car that it has been developing for the last several years will bear the new Coda Automotive brand name. The Coda sedan will be assembled in China by Hafei under the direction of staff from Coda. The new car is based on an existing Hafei chassis that has been heavily re-engineered by Porsche Engineering. The car is powered by a UQM electric motor driving the front wheels with energy storage via a lithium iron phosphate battery pack.

The 34 kWh pack will use cells provided by Chinese battery maker Lishen. The two companies are apparently forming a joint venture for battery manufacturing and hope to eventually produce batteries in the United States. Coda and an unnamed partner have also applied for a DOE loan under the ATVM program to build battery packs in the U.S.

Coda expects real world range to be about 90-120 miles, depending on driving conditions. According to the company, the EV sedan will go on sale in 2010 with factory direct sales at a price of $45,000 before incentives. Following a 200-fleet test in the summer of that year, Coda will be offered to the public starting in the Fall. You can read more about the car itself here.

Gallery: Coda EV sedan

[Source: Coda Automotive]

Continue reading Miles EV launches Coda Automotive for full speed electric sedan w/Video

Miles EV launches Coda Automotive for full speed electric sedan w/Video originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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