When our own
Sebastian Blanco talked to Roberto Jerez last year about the hybrid vehicle Velozzi is developing, he explained that they were focusing on creating new technology. Velozzi was looking for companies to partner with to manufacture vehicles based on the powertrains they were working on. Today they announced a partnership with International Development Corporation of South Africa to build a manufacturing plant in that country. IDC is involved in variety of different businesses and business development in South Africa and the rest of the continent. Velozzi is still pursuing their goal of building a viable 100+mpg, 200mph
sports car to win the Automotive X-Prize.
UPDATE:
typo fixed.
[Source: Velozzi]
VELOZZI AND IDC OF
TO CREATE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY VEHICLE MANUFACTURING FACILITY
DETROIT
,
MI
, January 14, 2008 - At
the
2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Velozzi and
the
IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) of announced a partnership to create an alternative energy vehicle manufacturing facility in . The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd (IDC) is a self-financing, national Development Finance Institution (DFI). It was established in 1940 to promote economic growth and industrial development in .
"At
the
IDC we recognize
the
importance of a dynamic private sector in securing and stimulating rapid and sustainable economic growth, creating employment and reducing poverty. Our mandate includes
the
rest of
the
African continent and we are active throughout
the
entire region. We operate in a broad spectrum of industries and with our specialized knowledge and experience, are able to offer valid and appropriate financial assistance to a wide variety of individuals and companies. I want us to start a brand new genuine South African auto manufacturer dedicated to build only green vehicles," said Wendy Luhabe. IDC Chairperson. is aiming to be a global leader in "green" vehicle manufacturing.
Climate change and
the
energy crisis are two of
the
most worrisome problems our world faces today. These are global issues, which require global solutions. The involvement of
the
IDC-South Africa to help with our cause is welcome and necessary. Part of Velozzi's objective is to mass-produce
the
vehicles to alleviate
the
aforementioned problems. "With
the
commitment of a global leader such as , we can see
the
light at
the
end of
the
tunnel and mass manufacturing becoming a commercial reality," said Roberto Velozzi, Velozzi's CEO.
The Velozzi team continues to recruit
the
best scientific, technical and engineering talent to achieve
the
ir goal of a 200+ mph, 100 mpg practical automobile to win
the
Automotive X PRIZE in 2009. The Velozzi design will incorporate technologies as of yet unknown to traditional automobile manufacturers. These breakthroughs will revolutionize
the
way we think of transportation vehicles while slashing both carbon emissions and reducing dependence on foreign oil.
