Coda Automotive's senior VP of global sales resigns

Less than ten months after joining Coda Automotive, Michael Jackson, the senior vice president of global sales, marketing and distribution, has resigned to go start his own company, Jackson Partners LLC. The timing is unfortunate, since the first Coda electric sedans are supposed to go on sale (in California, at least) very soon. The press release doesn't specify an on-sale date yet or mention a delay, but we've long heard that late 2010 was when the first vehicles would be available. All that Kevin Czinger, Coda's president and CEO, would say in a statement is that the team Jackson lead will execute an "innovative sales and marketing strategy ... in the coming months."
That innovative strategy includes "unique retail and educations centers" that will are first planned for Santa Monica and the Bay Area. Test drives and "consumer education" will be available at these locations, followed by direct-to-consumer deliveries once the transaction has taken place.


[Source: Coda Automotive]

PRESS RELEASE

CODA Automotive Sales & Marketing Update

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CODA Automotive recently announced that Michael A. Jackson, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Distribution, has resigned his post at CODA. Jackson will launch his own firm, Jackson Partners LLC. CODA and Jackson have worked together to transition all responsibilities to existing team members and the company will announce a permanent replacement in the near future.

"We thank Mike for his service to CODA and wish him well in his future endeavors," said Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, CODA Automotive. "During his tenure at CODA Mike led the design of an innovative sales and marketing strategy that the team will execute in the coming months."

Unique to CODA's innovative approach is its customer-centric sales, acquisition and service model designed to make the ownership experience effortless. The company plans to transform the traditional automotive industry approach through its unique retail and educations centers. Initial flagship locations are planned in Santa Monica and the San Francisco Bay Area, with additional satellite stores located in high-traffic shopping centers throughout the state. The locations will focus on consumer education and test drives while a direct-to-consumer delivery model will eliminate the additional costs associated with a more standard dealership model.

"I am a true believer that the electric vehicle era is underway and true adoption will accelerate once electric cars are delivered to American consumers." Jackson continued, "I wish my colleagues and friends at CODA nothing but the best as they bring this zero emission product to the public. I've been very fortunate to work on some of the best known global brands, I enjoy the challenge of executing demand building plans focused on delivering significant value and sustainable growth. I look forward to continuing that work with my new firm, Jackson Partners," concluded Jackson.

About CODA Automotive: Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., CODA Automotive™ is working to reduce dependence on oil and is leading the way to a cleaner future through advanced battery systems for its 100 percent electric car, other electric vehicle manufacturers and utility applications such as wind power storage. CODA is working in a smart, interdependent way with more than 30 leading global technology and manufacturing companies across four continents to quickly and efficiently bring electric drive technology to market. Through its exclusive battery system joint venture with Lishen Power Battery, CODA is also a large-scale producer of power battery systems for transportation and utility applications. The CODA™ Sedan is a five-passenger, mid-size car with full rear seating and trunk space that is designed to meet American drivers' daily transportation needs without using an ounce of gasoline.

For more information, please visit www.codaautomotive.com, follow @CODAautomotive on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CODAautomotive, or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coda
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