Inexpensive electric cars planned to compete with GM & Tesla

[steven johnson]

Proton and Detroit Electric plan to manufacture the first modern inexpensive electric car -- not a hybrid -- for the mass market in Malaysia.

Malaysia's national car maker Proton and a Dutch-based company signed a deal Monday to make zero emission electric cars that they said would be more powerful that any existing model.

Proton and Detroit Electric, a startup company that owns the technology, signed the collaboration agreement in the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to produce the sedan cars, initially targeted for Europe and the U.S.

The aim is to produce 40,000 units in the first year, ramping up to 270,000 by 2013, he said. The cars will be priced between $23,000 and $33,000, depending on the model and taxation.
 
The base model of the car, meant for city driving, will have a range of 150 miles (240 kilometers) on a full charge of eight to 10 hours and will have a top speed of 120 miles per hour (195 kmph).

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/03/30/ap6227881.html?

[baldguy]

1. In 50 yrs Tata will be the largest auto manufacturer in the world.

Chevy & Dodge will be minor subsidiaries.