Spark EV drops 6000zk 6000/2 (Flybo) model
Certain companies in the electric vehicle field generate a lot of flack. LionEV is one example. The last time we wrote about Spark-EV (and the time before) all sorts of accusations flew in our comments section about the reliability of the company's statements and products. There shouldn't be as big of an outcry this time around, as we're just here to report that Spark-EV has announced the discontinuation of one model, the 6000zk 6000/2 (also known as the Flybo) by Spark-EV. Spark-EV's Michael Papp said in an email that quality concerns and the fact that other companies were "importing the same or similar vehicle" meant that Spark-EV would drop the model. Papp said his company will only sell vehicles that are exclusive to Spark-EV. Most of Spark-EV's business comes from importing vehicles from China and converting them to electric drive.The more interesting news in the email, thought, is that the Flybo announcement is going to be the first "of three major updates to our company which you will receive via email." Read the whole thing after the jump and speculate away in the comments.
Email from Spark EV:
Thank you for showing interest in the offerings of Spark-EV, at www.spark-ev.com.
This is one of three major updates to our company which you will receive via email.
Our first vehicle we ever imported and introduced, the 6000zk 6000/2, will no longer be carried by Spark-EV.
There are two major reasons; One, quality issues continued to plaque [sic] the vehicle, no matter how much pressure was put on the manufacturer. Spark-EV will only sell what we feel are the highest quality vehicles, and inconsistency in the quality of this vehicle has marked its' downfall.
Two, there are no fewer than 5 other companies across the nation that are now importing the same or similar vehicle. Spark-EV will only sell vehicles that are exclusive to Spark-EV.
Watch for updates 2 and 3.
[Source: Spark EV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
K 3:50PM (3/07/2008)
They also raised the price of their Zotye SUV from 20-25K
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KarenRei 3:56PM (3/07/2008)
And Michael Papp is still a scammer.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/06/demand-for-zotye-the-20-000-highway-speed-electric-suv-mu/
http://www.groupsrv.com/science/post-22590.html
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/viewtopic.php?pid=149564
blogs.ebay.com/pongun/entry/Todays-Rantery/_W0QQidZ144444019
www.gm-volt.com/volt-discussion/?forum=4&topic=335&page=1
Sebastian, seriously -- please, stop posting scams on this site!
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Sebastian 4:06PM (3/07/2008)
KarenRei -
All I'm posting about here is that Spark has said they *won't* be offering this model any more. That doesn't sound like a scam to me. I've linked to the previous stories - as you did - but this particular item isn't a scam. is it?
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KarenRei 5:01PM (3/07/2008)
Why write about him at all? If Charles Ponzi was alive today and started running an EV business, would you write about changes in his latest offerings too? If something is a scam, *you shouldn't be covering it* except to report about it as a scam.
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Spark-EV 8:48PM (3/07/2008)
I've been told my hairstyle is bad also. I say we take me out behind the barn & beat the sh*t out of me.
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stevefazek 9:47PM (3/07/2008)
look like 20,000 was a loss leader or a no profit situation to get the car noticed. Lets wait untill we see some videos.
When doing business the customers who arnt happy seem to be the loudest.
It looks like the people who are not happy is a guy who didnt want to pay freight for his free scooter and some web developer who didn't get paid.
When i had a site developed we had the developer do such a piss poor job and took so long we just stopped paying him
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Dave 10:40PM (3/07/2008)
Steve Frazek you seem up on this guy Papp, have you done business with him? Has anybody done business with him or purchased one of his conversions?
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Spark-EV 11:20PM (3/07/2008)
....with sticks. Really BIG sticks....
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meme 2:01AM (3/08/2008)
Hey, pay up on all of the people who you've ripped off in the various scams you've run, and I'll lay off you. Until then, you're [ PERSONAL ATTACK EDITED ] and don't expect to be treated any better than that.
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stevefazek 6:19PM (3/09/2008)
i haven't bought anything from him. I had my own business a few years back for BMWs. Once customer crashed his car and demanded me to give him new carbon fiber body parts because they broke in the crash. So yeah i do tend to hate random internet trolls,
If you look at the people trolling this company its like 2 or 3 people on EVERY SINGLE SITE. They have even gone after the wikipedia entry
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Ken Brunot 3:13PM (3/10/2008)
I don't know why all this bickering. I am looking forward to getting my Spark EV Zotye soon. I am very excited and can't wait to drive it around. First stop, the gas station, and just "WAVE"!
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Ken Brunot 6:22PM (3/11/2008)
Darnit, Received an email today and ETA canceled my order for my Zotye! Still hoping to get this car soon. Anybody know anything?
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go electric 5:34PM (3/24/2008)
Michael Papp is a second rate scam artist. He has taken over 100,000 dollars in the last six months from people and have had YET to produce a vehicle. He also lists his 'factory' at an abandoned warehouse in Easton, PA that he has neither rented nor owns. He has two dilapidated row houses that he is selling and that is all he owns. He is a criminal of the most unsavory kind. A liar and a thief who is the ultimate in cowardly. Mr. Papp has been doing these scams on various real estate transactions, car parts and now imported vehicles of ICE and the alleged EV for many, many years. He has no proof to substantiate his claim that he is going to have ANY electric vehicles for commercial sale and personal use.
Don't give up on Electric Vehicles! Just don't do any business with Michael Papp of Easton, PA or New Jersey.
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Derek Jones 5:13PM (3/25/2008)
Wow - they're all coming out of the woodwork now. Thanks for the head's up.
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RIPOFF 12:07PM (4/01/2008)
Michael Papp is a scammer, plain and simple. He will promise you the world, and deliver nothing. He ran a Real Estate Scam a few years back and took investors for over 400k, and from what this looks like now, he has a new business. His father taught him. www.inet-lender.com, was his old business. SCAMMER!!! STAY AWAY!!!! Even his bankruptcy lawyer told him to get lost once he found out who his client really was.
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Disenchanted 4:55PM (4/02/2008)
For Ken if you are still wondering what happened:
http://www.etarkansas.com/uploads/Press_Release_040108.pdf
Summary, ETA signed dealership agreement with Spark-EV, ordered 4 cars, sent Spark-EV payment. Didn't receive cars, asked for money back, didn't get money back. They have reported Papp to the authorities and are now trying to sue him.
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Reed Cox 10:01PM (4/04/2008)
I did buy a 6000 from Mr Papp online and took delivery of it. The quality is not great but about what I expected. It had a bad battery and I am in the process of getting it replaced. The dealer that prepped it (GPEV) did a great job and has supported me in every way. I can only comment on my experience and so far I am satisfied.
I was discouraged about the news of ETA and I hope it gets resolved soon.
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Mike 4:58PM (4/13/2008)
Michael Papp, pres. owner of Spark-EV, was finally arrested AND JAILED for his most recent fraud/thefts/scam.
:-)
http://tinyurl.com/6h6yu4
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Mike 5:11PM (4/13/2008)
Mr. Reed Cox,
I am not calling you a liar, but, if you indeed have received anything from Papp, it seems that you are the only one in the world to have done so.
Might the name "Reed Cox," be another alias of Papp's?
If not, would you please provide some pics of your car, and/or anything that might show that Papp actually sold AND DELIVERED a car to someone.
Thnx
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Mike 5:09PM (4/16/2008)
Wilson man not out of trouble
DA may file more charges against electric car supplier.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
By MICHAEL BUCK
The Express-Times
WILSON BOROUGH | District Attorney John Morganelli is investigating whether to file additional charges against a borough electric car supplier.
Police said Michael Papp received almost $100,000 earlier this year to buy 14 electric cars but failed to deliver them to Electric Transportation of Arkansas and Electric Cars of Houston.
The borough man said Thursday he plans to give the two firms a refund but could not immediately give back the wired payments.
Papp said Morganelli should drop the charges because Papp has proof the cars he ordered are en route to their buyers and there is enough inventory from his company to liquidate to repay debts.
Morganelli said Monday the charges were not dropped and that he met with borough police Chief Richard Nace to compare notes on the case because both had received similar complaints about Papp. That meeting could lead to further charges against Papp, Morganelli said.
"Papp has been on my radar for a while," Morganelli said.
Papp said he is filing for bankruptcy. Federal court records show Papp has filed for bankruptcy three times since 1999 -- twice in Pennsylvania and once in New Jersey, owing more than 160 creditors.
Morganelli said he knows Papp is trying to make payments to people he owes money, but his office is proceeding with the charges anyway.
"We always give people a chance to pay," Morganelli said.
Papp said he had been importing cars from China and selling them to distributors for about three years. Papp's business is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania, according to state records.
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