Coda Automotive adds former MINI, VW exec as marketing officer

The Coda electric sedan just got a new advocate. Kerri Martin, who used to work for Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorcycles, MINI and Volkswagen "launching, building and reinvigorating some of the world's most iconic pop culture brands" over the past 15 years, has been hired as Coda Automotive's new chief marketing officer. Her first official statement as CMO: "I'm thrilled to be part of the electric vehicle movement, especially with Coda, a company that is intent on disrupting the category conventions and has the vision to reinvent the car buying and ownership experience."

The Coda EV is due next year. sedan has a range of between 90 and 120 miles, depending on driving conditions. Cost? $45,000 before incentives.

[Source: Coda Automotive]



PRESS RELEASE:

Coda Automotive Appoints Former Volkswagen and MINI USA Head of Marketing as CMO

Santa Monica, Calif., August 13, 2009 – Coda Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, has hired Kerri Martin as Chief Marketing Officer in preparation for the launch of its four-door, five-passenger, all-electric sedan in 2010. Prior to joining Coda, Martin was Director of Brand Innovation and Marketing Communications at Volkswagen of America.

"Kerri is a welcome addition to the Coda team and will be instrumental in architecting a fully integrated, customer-centric Coda brand experience," said Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, Coda Automotive. "With a history of taking an innovative approach to automotive marketing and not settling for industry standards, Kerri's leadership style aligns perfectly with our entrepreneurial business model."

Martin has more than 15 years of experience as a creative marketing executive, launching, building and reinvigorating some of the world's most iconic pop culture brands including Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorcycles, MINI and Volkswagen.

"I'm thrilled to be part of the electric vehicle movement, especially with Coda, a company that is intent on disrupting the category conventions and has the vision to reinvent the car buying and ownership experience," said Martin.

Martin, 39, held various executive marketing positions at MINI USA and Volkswagen from 2000 to 2007. From 1997 to 2000, she led the repositioning of the BMW Motorcycles brand and managed the Harley-Davidson MotorClothes marketing programs from 1993-1997. Martin graduated cum laude with a BA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was the first client ever elected to the Board of Directors of The One Club. She began her career with advertising and public relations agency Laughlin Constable.

About Coda Automotive: Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Coda Automotive is a manufacturer and distributor of all-electric cars and transportation battery systems. Launched in June 2009, the company designs, brands, markets and distributes electric vehicles utilizing a manufacturing partnership strategy which allows Coda Automotive to develop vehicles rapidly in a flexible manner – avoiding the traditionally capital-intensive nature of the automobile business. Coda Automotive's first vehicle, the Coda sedan, will be delivered in 2010.