InvestSource Inc.: ZAP Electric Vehicles Used as Moving Billboards for Local Deliveries by El Pollo Loco

Jul 09, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- WBC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Stocks in the news: ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB), General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM ), Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB:HYBR.OB), WABCO Holdings Inc. (NYSE: WBC)

July 8, 2008 - As gas prices hit record levels again across the nation this week, restaurant chain El Pollo Loco is driving its marketing efforts in a new way -- literally -- through the rollout of two electric delivery vehicles from ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB). El Pollo Loco, the nation's leader in flame-grilled chicken, now employs a pair of three-wheel, sub compact electric cars covered in bumper-to-bumper brand messaging and emblazoned with scorching red flames against a purple background. With over 400 fast casual restaurants, El Pollo Loco was searching for a delivery vehicle that would act as a moving billboard for the restaurant's new delivery and catering restaurant in the Beverly Hills and Century City areas, as well as contribute to the company's environmental stewardship efforts. The unique electric cars make an eye-catching statement as they whirr quietly down the street with El Pollo Loco's corporate branding wrap. Studies show electric vehicles produce 97 percent less emissions than a gas-powered vehicle. A single electric vehicle driven for 30 miles a day in place of a gas vehicle saves about 700 gallons of gas per year. "People stop in their tracks and can't stop staring at these cars wrapped with the El Pollo Loco branding. Not only does it make a statement about driving electric vehicles, it acts like a green billboard for the restaurant," says Karen Eadon, El Pollo Loco's chief marketing officer. "One of our drivers arrived at an office recently where more than 20 people came out to take pictures of the car. The vehicle draws an incredible amount of attention."

AAA reported Monday that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas rose to an all-time high of $4.108, up slightly from the previous record of $4.107. Gas prices have soared more than 38% in the last year and are 3% higher than a month ago. El Pollo Loco purchased the Xebra electric vehicles from Santa-Rosa-based ZAP, a company that offers a full line of electric and advanced technology vehicles. With a top speed of 40 miles per hour, the Xebra is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide, and slightly over 5 feet high with a carrying capacity of 1,000 pounds. It plugs into a 110-volt outlet for a full charge in up to six hours and a 50 percent charge in up to 1.5 hours. It comes in either a 4-door sedan or a pickup. The average range on a single charge is up to 25 miles. The cost to run a Xebra, which retails for about $12,000, is about three cents a mile, compared to 13.3 cents a mile for a gas vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon at $4 a gallon. Maintenance costs are one-third that of gas vehicles due to the reduction of moving parts, less wear, and replacements.

ZAP says the demand for its electric vehicles has skyrocketed with record gas prices. In April, ZAP reported it had delivered over 700 units in the United States and in May they reported a $6.8 million backlog for the Xebra, more than the Company's sales for all of last year. ZAP officials say orders have even surpassed their own projections. Most of the demand initially has been from consumers, but recent gas prices are causing many corporate and government fleet buyers to start exploring the use of electric vehicles. "We would like to congratulate El Pollo Loco for its environmental leadership," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "With gas at record high prices, we offer companies the chance to lead the way in energy conservation. Not only do the electric vehicles send a green message, our technologies have the potential to significantly impact a company's bottom line and impact the economy as a whole," says ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. El Pollo Loco recently expanded into New England, where it celebrated its 400th location in the Boston area in May. Throughout 2008, El Pollo Loco is continuing expansion into other markets around the country, including California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Virginia.

July 8, 2008 - General Motors (NYSE: GM ) announced today it is adding the world's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic power installation to its car assembly plant located in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, Spain. When the project is completed in the fall of 2008, the Zaragoza solar installation will cover about 2,000,000 sq. ft. of roof at the plant and comprises about 85,000 solar panels. When fully operational, the Zaragoza solar installation will generate about 12 megawatts of power at its highest output. The installation will generate about 15.1 million kWh of power annually, which is equivalent to the demand of 4,575 households with an average annual consumption of 3,300 kWh in Spain. GM currently has two of the largest solar power installations in the United States on the roofs of its Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, California parts warehouses. The Fontana project, also 1 megawatt, became operational in December 2007. It generates about 1.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year. On the Zaragoza project, GM has partnered with Clairvoyant Energy, Veolia Environmental and the Government of Aragon to develop the renewable energy project. GM will lease their roof space to Clairvoyant Energy and Veolia Environment, who will build, own and operate the rooftop solar installation. The project helps GM reduce costs, while providing "green" energy to the local community's power grid.

July 8, 2008 - Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB:HYBR.OB) www.hybridtechnologies.com, emerging leaders in the development and marketing of lithium-powered products worldwide, is extremely proud to have Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, Alan Thicke, as a special guest at their North Carolina research facility. Hybrid Technologies and Alan Thicke have partnered to promote the company's solution to the country's dependency on foreign fuel and related concerns. Hybrid is providing Mr. Thicke with the use of its LiV(TM) FLASH, an all electric version of the BMW Mini Cooper, to support his efforts in raising awareness surrounding environment issues and available fuel alternatives. Mr. Thicke will use his visit to Hybrid's research and development plant for a in-depth orientation of the proper use and maintenance of the electric vehicle Hybrid is providing for his use.

July 8, 2008 -- WABCO Holdings Inc. (NYSE: WBC ) today announced that WABCO has been honored with a supplier award for "Commercial Excellence 2007" by Volkswagen (VW) Commercial Vehicles in Brazil where VW's global headquarters for its truck and bus division are located. This award distinguishes WABCO for its commercial contribution throughout 2007 when worldwide sales of heavy duty commercial vehicles manufactured at VW's factory in Resende increased by more than 26 percent to over 47,000 units. The only division of the VW group that manufactures trucks and buses, VW's Brazilian subsidiary, Volkswagen Caminhoes e Onibus (VWCO), also continued its local market leadership in 2007. WABCO began supplying VW Commercial Vehicles in Brazil in 1981 and currently provides air brake system devices such as compressors, brake actuators and control valves. The VW "Commercial Excellence 2007" award was presented to Reynaldo Contreira, WABCO South America Business Leader.

Market wrap for July 8, 2008: The stock market rebounded Tuesday following a late session rally as financial stocks soared and crude prices plummeted. The S&P 500 rose 1.7%, with eight of the ten economic sectors advancing.

The financial sector spiked 5.7% in a rebound bid after falling 17% over the previous few weeks.

Crude fell 3.8% to $135.99 per barrel, marking a two-day decline of 6.4%.

The drop in crude prices lifted energy sensitive names, with transportation stocks climbing 5.0% and airlines gaining 11.2%. The consumer discretionary sector climbed 2.2%.

Conversely, the energy sector slipped 1.5% due to the decline in crude prices.

In corporate news, savings and loan company IndyMac Bancorp (IMB 0.44, -0.27) fell 38% after announcing that it could not successfully raise new capital, and that regulators said the firm is no longer well capitalized.

VMware (VMW 40.24, -12.95) plunged 24% to its lowest level since its August 2007 IPO after the company said it expects fiscal year 2008 revenue growth to be below prior guidance that called for more than 50% growth.

Office Depot (ODP 7.12, -3.29) announced that it expects second quarter North American retail same-store sales slipped 10% from last year, citing the sluggish economic environment.

In economic news, the latest pending home sales data indicate that the home sales market is still weak, but is not deteriorating at the same rate we saw throughout 2007. DJ30 +152.25 NASDAQ +51.10 NQ100 +2.4% R2K +3.7% SP400 +2.2% SP500 +21.39 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 2025/2.48 bln/844 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 2149/1.72 bln/1031

ABOUT INVESTSOURCE, INC.: WIN an 8 day 7 nights Caribbean Getaway, GO TO: www.investsourceinc.com.

Coming in late Summer of this year: Go Baby GO!!! The first book of its kind on the OTCBB and Pink Sheet Markets www.gobabygobook.com .

To hear "The Fastest 60 Seconds in the Small-Cap Market," please go to www.ceo-corner.com

This opinion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. InvestSource, Inc. has prepared all material herein based upon information believed to be reliable. The information contained herein is not guaranteed by InvestSource, Inc. to be accurate, and should not be considered to be all-inclusive. The companies that are discussed in this release have not given an opinion or approved the statements made in this release.

This release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The information contained in an InvestSource profile is provided as an information service only. The accuracy or completeness of the information is not warranted and is only as reliable as the sources from which it was obtained. InvestSource has agreed to be compensated $5,860 for services rendered.

CONTACT: InvestSource, Inc WWW: http://www.investsourceinc.com

M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index