Brazilian Officials Attend San Francisco Auto Show for ZAP's Introduction of "Trybrid" Car Designs From Rio

Brazilian Officials Attend San Francisco Auto Show for ZAP's Introduction of "Trybrid" Car Designs From Rio

Brazilian Cars Planned for Export to U.S., Distributed by ZAP in 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--Nov 17, 2005 -- Automotive pioneer ZAP (PCX: ZP) announced today that officials from the Rio de Janeiro government plan to attend the San Francisco International Auto Show, November 19-27, for the introduction of a new car design that uses "trybrid" technology -- gasoline, electricity and alcohol.

ZAP Executive Vice President Max Scheder-Bieschen (left) and CEO Steve Schneider (right) met with representatives with the Rio de Janeiro government in October, including (2nd from left to right) Wagner Granja Victer, Secretary of State for Rio de Janeiro; Jorge Picciani, President of the Legislative Power of Rio de Janeiro; and Washington Reis, Mayor of Duque de Caxias City.

Unlike the current gas-electric hybrids, ZAP says "trybrid" designs would be able to run on three sources of energy: gasoline, electricity and alcohol. ZAP has contracted with OBVIO ! for the U.S. distribution of two Brazilian-made automobiles by 2007. Officials from ZAP and OBVIO ! say the new cars will be manufactured at a facility in Duque de Caxias, outside of Rio de Janeiro. Government officials from both cities plan to attend the U.S. introduction for the cars at the San Francisco Auto Show.

The Brazilian delegation visiting includes: Mr. Delmo Pinho, Sub-Secretary of Petroleum and Energy of Rio de Janeiro; Mr. Washington Reis, Mayor of Duque de Caxias; Mr. Gilberto Jose da Silva, Vice Prefeitura de Duque de Caxias; and Mr. Samuel Correa da Rocha Junior, Secretario Municipal de Esporte. Also attending are officials from OBVIO ! including Company President Ricardo Silva Machado.

It was believed that Rio de Janeiro Secretary of State Wagner Granja Victer, a proponent of the business venture, would be attending the San Francisco Auto Show, but ZAP said they had not received confirmation as of Wednesday.

ZAP and OBVIO ! are taking the idea of hybrids one step further by utilizing "flexible fuel" engine technology that runs on gasoline and alcohol as a way to help U.S. drivers save gas. Alcohol made from sugar cane is becoming the fuel of choice in Brazil, and other countries -- so much so that global sugar prices hit a seven-year high this fall, according to a report from the Christian Science Monitor. Regular car engines will run fine on a 10 percent blend of alcohol and gasoline. But by using computer sensors that adjust to whatever mix is in the tank, flex car engines run on ethanol, gasoline, or any combination of the two.