Korean Technology Company Considering US EV Production
CT&T United is a US subsidiary of a South Korean technology firm. CT&T has announced their plans to build an assembly plant in the US, becoming yet another EV manufacturer for America.
The race is on.
Thanks to billions of dollars in federal loan money being made available, companies from around the world are converging on the US to build new assembly plants to produce electric vehicles (EV). Ford and Nissan are among the first companies who applied and have received funding to build or convert assembly plants for EV production along with Tesla Motors, the upstart California company who has given the world the lithium-ion powered Tesla Roadster and has plans to build the Tesla S sedan in 2011.
CT&T Joins In
Now a technology company from South Korea plans to toss its hat into the ring, promising to build tiny EVs in US which they say will employ as many as 2600 people over the next five years. CT&T Company, Ltd. already produces EVs in Korea and plans to build similar vehicles in the US. CT&T United, which is the US subsidiary of the firm, claims that its vehicles will start at about US$8000 and sell for $16,000 fully equipped.
In making the announcement, CT&T President and CEO Young Gi Lee said, “While we are reviewing a number of locations for our operations, we are committed to having a major presence in the Southeastern and West Coast regions.”
Using Various Battery Technologies
The company says that it will use lead acid, advanced lead acid, lithium polymer and lithium ion batteries to power its vehicles. This is a departure from the strictly lithium ion batteries expected to power the upcoming pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles expected to hit the market beginning next year from Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford and other manufacturers.
“We are accelerating our plans to become a major investor in zero emissions vehicle technologies in the U.S.,” said Lee. “CT&T has become a category leader because of our advanced technology, plus we offer a solution to the primary barrier to consumer adoption of electric vehicles by offering EVs at affordable prices.”
Shopping For A Production Site
CT&T is looking at sites in Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and California in which to build its vehicles. CT&T United will produce and market City Drive Electrical Vehicles (EVs), Mid-speed Electric Vehicles, High-speed Electric Vehicles, and Utility Electric Vehicles, to provide a wide variety of vehicles for the US market.
Source: CT&T United
See Also — Coda Automotive
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5 Responses to “Korean Technology Company Considering US EV Production”
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July 3rd, 2009 at 7:39 am
I just hope they are able to make the power points so that when the car runs out of juice they are able to recharge in a matter of seconds compared to the hours it currently takes.
July 5th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I wish I understood if this is good for us or not and I agree if it’s a charge to stay on the road do we carry an extra battery in the trunk and how long will it take to charge. When I think of how hard it is to keep my battery charged on my $500. Verizon phone which I use all day how can we expect anything more from an electric car. I can see it all now Triple A begins promoting a new membership directly relating to dead battery in our electric cars…hum bug…
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
PS if it’s federal money supporting this I would also prefer I give the money to an American manufacturer…
.-= Dorothy Stahlnecker´s last blog ..True Happiness =-.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Dorothy, I would prefer to see this money going to an American manufacturer too. Ford is one company that will see this money as will others as the amount of funds allocated in at least $25 billion. To be sure, people who choose EVs will have to be extra careful that they aren’t out of power far from help, otherwise they’ll have to call AAA to tow them to the nearest recharging station or public outlet.