ZAP Hosts First Public Test-Drive of the 40-MPG Smart Car

NEW YORK, April 18 -- Eagle Auto Mall of Riverhead, New York will debut the Smart Car Americanized for ZAP for public test-drives on Long Island at 3 PM today.

Available throughout the rest of the world since 1998, this year marks the first time Smart Cars are available in the United States, provided through an independent venture led by publicly-owned California automotive distributor ZAP. At an EPA-test 40 MPG, the Smart Car is the most fuel-efficient all-gas turbo in the nation and the only micro-car available at a time of record gas prices.

ZAP is ramping up distribution for the Smart Car along with other cars that seek to target the micro-car niche with cars and other vehicles powered by electricity, ethanol, hydrogen and other advanced technologies.

"With record gas prices, the public is hungry for new innovations in the auto industry like those being provided by ZAP," said Automotive Marketing Manager Philip Tarazi. "The timing for our automotive business plan puts ZAP in an enviable position.

ZAP has also been in discussions to develop more new cars for its dealer network, and expects to introduce an all-electric 'City-Car' called the XEBRA(TM) this year and has contracted to distribute a Brazilian "trybrid" car under development that uses ethanol, gas and electricity. ZAP will continue to market a wide array of vehicles for personal transportation and off-road markets, including the manufacturing and distribution of electric scooters, bicycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, mopeds, motorcycles and more.

These vehicles are now on display at the international auto show in New York City. The Smart cars are now available for test drives by the Press, and will be available to test drive by the Public at Eagle Auto Mall at 3:00 located in Riverhead, New York.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 90,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP is at the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, alcohol, hybrid, trybrid and other innovative power systems. The Smart Car Americanized for ZAP currently complies with regulatory requirements in all states except California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. ZAP is not affiliated with, or authorized by, smart gmbh, the manufacturer of Smart automobiles, or the smartUSA division of Mercedes-Benz LLC, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of those vehicles. For more information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/ .