First ZAP Xebras roll off the line in China

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based electric vehicle maker ZAP (OTC: ZAAP) said the first Xebra cars and pickups have started rolling out of a new factory in Shandong, China.

ZAP said the factory, owned by Shandong Jindalu Vehicle, can produce up to 4,000 vehicles per month (see Electric vehicle maker ZAP inks deal with Chinese carmaker).

The small Xebras are designed for city-speed transportation and sell for about $10,000 each.

"ZAP has done what practically all the critics say is impossible," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "Electric cars and trucks are rolling off an assembly line and customers around the world are sending in orders faster than we can deliver."

The previous facility had the capacity to manufacture up to 1,000 vehicles per month.

ZAP said it's marketing the Xebra globally as a vehicle for commuters, multi-car families, businesses and government fleets.

The company recently made a deal with China's Youngman Automotive Group to produce highway speed vehicles (see ZAP going big with China venture).

The Youngman venture will produce electric and hybrid buses, trucks, vans, and cars in seven new factories that will have the capacity to build 200,000 vehicles per year starting in 2008.