$84 million ZAP! plant for Kentucky to be announced today
It looks as though the passing of Xebra-friendly laws and promises of millions of dollars in tax incentives will result in the building of an $84 million ZAP! factory in Kentucky. The governor of the bluegrass state, Steve Beshear, is expected to announce a deal between ZAP! and Integrity Manufacturing Inc. later today that could eventually result in up to 4,000 jobs (according to Integrity) with salaries averaging $20/hr. The new plant would give the California-based electric vehicle company a domestic manufacturing facility at which to produce its three-wheeled Xebra as well as the long-touted reverse tricycle Alias and future models. The new factory is to be sited at the Wilkey Industrial Park in Franklin County and possibly be as large as a million sq.ft. According to a local news blog, the deal has its critics who question the viability of the project as well as ZAP's commitment. Time, we suppose, will be the final arbiter but in the interim we'll keep you up to speed on all the details as they emerge.
[Source: WHAS11 Political Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 7:30PM (8/25/2008)
The reason no comments appear after it has already been seven hours since posted, is because we all no this probably isn't going to happen.
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Deane 5:14PM (8/25/2008)
I will be amazed if this actually happens. Zap has a huge history of making big announcements that result in absolutely nothing. They're renowned for this.
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Louinjax 11:45PM (8/25/2008)
Let's see.....ZAP owns interest in a battery company, ZAP owns interest in a motor-in-wheel company, some big-wig consumer marketing company in Dubai (who also has an interest in the Phoenix electric vehicle) has invested over $11 mil in ZAP and has been coaching ZAP on marketing techniques, and Kentucky's Gov Beshear and renowned Integrity Manufacturing of Kentucky have put their reputation on the line in promoting ZAP manufacturing capability in Kentucky to market ZAP vehicles in the states while their Chinese manufacturers will be supplying ZAP vehicle to the rest of the world......Hmmmmm........Sure sounds like a sound business plan to me.........
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Ginny 10:08AM (8/29/2008)
I have a xebra (2006 model) love it and have read all the press
on ZAP... for every 1 bad story there are 1000's of great stories.
I believe that because ZAP" is" selling auto's and has many dealers,,, other companies are pissed.
They are 100% electric & City Legal going 40mph, mine is faster but that is the rating. I put about 800 miles a month on mine.
check out my a dealer for ZAP www.xebraworld.com
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mike8725 9:34PM (8/28/2008)
The ground breaking was today in Franklin.
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neal 9:41PM (9/06/2008)
Does anyone know how to go about applying for a position at this factory?
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Domenick Yoney 4:36AM (9/08/2008)
I would contact the company involved.
http://www.integrity-manufacturing.com/
or
http://www.zapworld.com