The Santa Monica auto and electric battery company has signed a lease to open a 900-square-foot store at the shopping center. Visitors will be able to kick the tires on its $44,900 electric compact sedan, learn about the vehicle and test drive one housed in a pavilion in the parking lot.

"It is a great opportunity and is a relatively low-cost market approach," said Phil Murtaugh, Coda's chief executive.

Coda says its all-electric sedan will have a 120-mile range and a top speed of 80 mph. The cars are built on a chassis manufactured in China and based on a design licensed from Mitsubishi Motors Corp. but greatly modified by Coda, which has designed the battery pack and drive train for the vehicle.

To read the full story in the LA Times by Jerry Hirsch click here.

Published: Tuesday, April 19, 2011

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