What started out five years ago in an airport hangar in Southern California officially became an all-electric car company this week when the first Coda sedans came off the assembly lines and on to the streets, according to the San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_20156808?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com).
Privately-held Coda Automotive Inc. is dedicated to creating “cars that do not spoil the Earth, drain the treasury or hurt
Coda sedan photo courtesy of matternetwork.com
the health of our children,” according to a quote in the story attributed to Mac Heller, Coda’s executive chairman.
Coda (www.codaautomotive.com) is headquartered in Santa Monica, assembles the cars in Benecia, CA, a city on the bay east of San Francisco, from parts and a battery system made in China. The story suggests Coda is expected to make about 5,000 cars this year. A typical four-door sells for about $37,500 “but qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit,” according to the story. The battery pack, produced by a joint venture of Coda and China-based Lishen Power Battery, provides a range of 125 miles per charge, notes Wikipedia.
According to a 2010 Wheels post in the New York Times, Coda has plans to build a battery plant in Ohio to manufacture lithium ion batteries, pending federal funding (http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/coda-to-build-batteries-in-ohioif-the-feds-help/). Given the difficulties with Solyndra, we don’t know if those plans still stand.
The progress of Coda has to be good news for the far flung world of electric vehicle- and electric energy-related stocks. There are many up and coming names to choose from, particularly if you believe this type of alternative energy vehicle will be an important part of our transporation future. These are all picked randomly, however, so due diligence is required.
Santa Rosa, CA-based ZAP (OTC: ZAAP.OB, http://www.zapworld.com) makes a variety of all-electric vehicles including trucks, motorcycles, shuttle buses and sedans and was formerly known as ZAPWORLD.COM. Most of its business at this point is with government or military customers. Its stock has been on a gradual downturn since it sold for 90 cents about a year ago. It closed at 20 cents March 13. Market cap is $45.25 million.
Walthan, MA-based A123 Systems (Nasdaq: AONE, http://www.a123systems.com) makes lithium ion batteries based on its proprietary Nanophosphate technology. It stock was a high flier back in the fall of 2009 when it traded for about $26 but has come down considerably. Its 52-week range is now $8.08-$1.51. At the close of market March 13 the stock was trading for $1.69, up 6 cents on the day.
Austin, TX-based Valence Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: VLNC, http://www.valence.com) manufacturers energy systems based on another phosphate-based lithium ion technology. Its products are used in a variety of applications in addition to all-electric vehicles, such as wheelchairs, robotics and remote power devices. Back in the summer of 2008 its stock traded for nearly $5 but like some of the other battery makers, it has dropped in value although it continues to trade actively, nearly 350,000 shares a day. Its current 52-week range is $1.67-$.70. VLNC stock closed March 13 at 88 cents, up 1 cent on the day. Market cap is $150 million.
San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: MXWL, http://www.maxwell.com) was formerly known as Maxwell Laboratories. The company manufactures ultracapacitors that are energy storage devices and power delivery systems for use in transportation, automotive, IT and industrial electronics, as well as microelectronic products including single board computers and high-density memory and power modules for satellites and spacecraft applications. Its stock has been on the upswing since December 2008 when it bottomed at $4.52. Its now trading near the top of its 52-week range of $13.78-$21.49. MXWL closed March 13 at $18.69, up 39 cents. Market cap is $522 million.
San Carlos, CA-based Tesla Motors (Nasdaq: TSLA, http://www.teslamotors.com/) manufactures the Tesla Roadster and other electric vehicles and electric powertrain components. Its market cap of $3.8 billion actually puts it out of our smallcap focus, but it certainly should be included in even a brief survey of new automotive technologies. Its stock hit a 52-week high of $36.29 March 12, despite several online reports of its huge (50 percent as a percentage of float) short interest. That puts the stock up more than 30 percent in the past five months. It trades very actively, more than 1 million shares a day.\
Another stock to look for soon is Kansas City, MO-based Smith Electric Vehicles, a company that started in the UK and has developed a respected global brand for all-electric trucks, vans and step vans including the Newton and Edison that are used by many companies including FedEx. Smith filed for an IPO last November, and you can find its prospectus here (http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1455900/000104746911009328/a2206090zs-1.htm).
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