Saturn and General Motors Celebrate EV1's One-year Birthday
5 December 1997
Saturn and General Motors Celebrate EV1's One-year Birthday
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 5 -- Today, December 5, marks the
one-year birthday celebration of the General Motors EV1 electric vehicle's
debut into the marketplace. Just twelve months ago, GM made automotive
history as the first automaker to make available to the public a modern-day,
consumer-oriented, electric passenger vehicle.
That day, more than 30 people also became a part of history as they took
delivery of the first EV1s at Saturn retail facilities in Los Angeles, San
Diego, Phoenix and Tucson. Some of these trailblazers, along with
representatives from GM and Saturn, will celebrate the first 12 months of the
car during a special celebration in Los Angeles on December 6, 1997.
Since its Hollywood-style debut on December 5, 1996, the EV1's inaugural
year has been filled with excitement and accomplishments.
"We are very encouraged by the achievements of the EV1. These milestones
are the evidence of a combination of our marketing efforts, a technologically
advanced product, enthusiastic owners and strategic partnerships with Edison
EV, local utility companies and various government agencies," said Pat Ward,
Saturn's Electric Vehicle Management Services (EVMS) manager.
The highlights include:
-- December 5, 1996 -- First purpose-built passenger electric vehicle in
modern times becomes available to consumers through 24 Saturn retail
facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson. The first 30
customers take delivery of their EV1s.
* The EV1 commercial makes its television debut.
-- May 10, 1997 -- Inaugural meeting of EV1 "owners" club. The club is
an issues-based organization whose intention is to increase awareness of EV1,
impact positive change in electric vehicle legislation and assist in public
charger development.
-- April 1997 -- The car made its television debut in an episode of
Fox's "Beverly Hills 90210."
-- July 1997 -- The EV1 launch commercial "Appliances" is one of the
first television ads ever nominated for an Emmy Award. This year was the
first time commercials have been considered for the award.
-- November 1997 -- General Motors further reiterates its commitment to
make a business out of electric vehicles by announcing expansion into
additional market areas.
* November 6, 1997 -- Saturn and GM announce Sacramento as the first
Northern California city, fifth market area overall, to have EV1s.
* November 21, 1997 -- First Sacramento customer takes delivery of
EV1.
* November 21, 1997 -- Saturn and GM announce the San Francisco Bay
area will have EV1s in March 1998 at five Saturn retail facilities.
-- December 5, 1996 - November 30, 1997 -- 288 EV1s have been leased.
There are currently 28 Saturn retail facilities throughout the five market
areas leasing the EV1.
GM has committed to spend $500,000 for the development of Magne-
Charge(TM) inductive public charging sites in the initial launch markets. To
date, 274 inductive chargers have been installed at 160 sites throughout the
market areas in Arizona and California.
"This first year is only the beginning for the EV1. As trailblazers in
this area, we have made significant contributions to this market. We have
learned a great deal about marketing electric vehicles, and we will use those
experiences to enhance our future marketing strategy," added Ward.
Various Saturn retail facilities will also commemorate this event with
individual celebrations featuring the EV1 Road Show. This interactive mobile
display show provides a hands-on driving and charging experience.
The EV1 is available as a lease-only vehicle through a 36-month/30,000
mile GMAC lease at a capitalized cost of $33,995. The capitalized cost on
which a consumer's lease is based is considerably reduced by available
federal, state and/or local financial credits. For example, a 10% ($3,400)
federal tax credit for electric vehicle owners is available. In addition,
EV1s leased within California may also be eligible for a $5,000 buy down
credit offered by various air quality control organizations. This results in
a $25,595 capitalized lease cost on which the monthly payment is based.
The approximate monthly payment to a consumer can be as low as $399
including the wall mount 220-volt Magne-Charge(TM) inductive charger. This
does not include installation fees. In Arizona, the monthly lease payment is
$549.00 including the wall mount 220-volt charger.
The car, including its battery pack, is covered by a 3-year/36,000 mile
"bumper-to-bumper" new car limited warranty.
Consumers looking for further information on EV1 can call
800-25-ELECTRIC or on the Internet site at (http://www.gmev.com).
SOURCE General Motors
