Electric Carmaker Opens Global Headquarters In Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Electric vehicle maker CODA Automotive opened its global headquarters Thursday at an event that drew Gov. Jerry Brown and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The 100,000 square-foot space next to the Santa Monica (10) Freeway near Fairfax Avenue will house the company's research and development division, and processing center.
CODA is set to begin sales of its first commercially available car in the coming year. The company will display the 2012 CODA, an all-electric sedan with a range of up to 150 miles per charge, at next week's Los Angeles International Auto Show.
"We chose to place the global headquarters in Los Angeles not only because it is one of the most significant early markets for the deployment of electric vehicles, but because elected officials and business leaders have demonstrated their commitment to fostering a successful local cleantech industry," said Phil Murtaugh, the chief executive officer of CODA Holdings, the carmaker's parent company.
"We are excited about the many jobs we've already created for the area and look forward to many more as we expand and bring to market our all-electric sedan and energy storage products."
The company employs 220 engineers, technicians and corporate staff at the location. The company says it plans to hire an additional 100 employees over the next year.
CODA also has a manufacturing plant in Benicia and a showroom at Westfield Century City.
"Dynamic innovation is a key building block of California's 21st century economy," Brown said. "Car companies like CODA are investing in California because our laws encourage electric cars and recognize the paramount importance of reducing oil dependency."
Villaraigosa called CODA's arrival a boost to the city's clean technology industry system.
