Go Green Cycles

VECTRIX: Back for More

2011-04-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

NEW BEDFORD — Since Vectrix was reborn more than a year ago, the electric scooter company has expanded its product line and is looking toward a bright future.

Vectrix, whose U.S. headquarters is located in the New Bedford Business Park, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009 and later relaunched under new ownership. The company's research and development team is based out of the business park, and some of its scooters are built on the site.

"We have now tripled our product line," said Jeff Simpson, Vectrix's global marketing manager. "We are not standing still. We are moving forward."

More than 30 people work out of the New Bedford facility. The company, which promotes its scooters as emissions-free and virtually noiseless, is touting VX-1 LI and Li+, the new generation of its flagship model, which are now powered by lithium energy systems. Those are being manufactured in New Bedford, with overflow manufacturing at its Wroclaw, Poland, factory.

Vectrix is also rolling out another model, VX-2, which is smaller and lower-speed than the others. The company contracts with a factory it doesn't own to build that model using Vectrix technology.

To promote the launch of the VX-2 in Europe, Vectrix will have a booth at an auto show in Amsterdam later this month, where it will give away one free VX-2 to a lucky attendee.

"We at Vectrix are very excited to launch our new electric VX-2 urban commuter model in Europe," said Brian Buccella, vice president of sales and marketing, in a news release announcing the giveaway.

It's also planning to come out with the VX-3, possibly this summer, a three-wheel model that will be built in New Bedford as well, Simpson said.

As the company celebrates the 15th anniversary of its founding, it is enjoying a resurgence after a difficult period.

After the former Vectrix Corp. filed for Chapter 11 protection in September 2009, the business reached a deal to sell most of its assets to New Vectrix LLC, which was sponsored by the New York-based GH Venture Partners LLC. EVB Technology (HK) Limited, an affiliate of Hong Kong's Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited, also holds an interest in New Vectrix LLC, according to court records.

"We're extremely excited about the growth of this technology," Simpson said. "With gas prices moving up the way they are, the relevance of our technology, not only in the United States but literally on every continent, is growing every day."

Despite the company's global reach and ownership, Simpson says Vectrix has strong roots in New Bedford.

"The New Bedford history for Vectrix spans back to 1996 when the company was founded," he said.

The scooter manufacturer leases a 65,000-square-foot plant in the business park.

"The facility that we have moved into in the New Bedford Business Park is a world-class production facility, and it is also a world-class research and development facility," Simpson said.

The city facility plays a role in developing and building technology that is sold both domestically and internationally.

"What we're learning, what we have done, and what we are planning to do, the heart of it is out of New Bedford, the heart of it is out of New England, and the heart of it is out of America," Simpson said.

VECTRIX IS SOLID: the VX-1 Rocks!

2009-05-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

I cannot even begin to explain the sheer awesomeness that is the new VX-1 all electric bike from the indomitable Vectrix. My ride videos will be posted to the usual haunts, and pictures are forthcoming shortly. Maxi-Scooter indeed! Look, I know the Vectirx web site clearly states that the VX-1 has a top speed of 62 miles per hour. Ladies and jellybugs, I am here to definitively tell you that 62 miles per hour is absolutely not the top speed on the 2009 Vectrix VX-1. Period. End of discussion. If you'd like to argue the point, I encourage you to take up the matter with my sunglasses. But first you have to find them, as they sailed off my head in the fast lane of Interstate 80 as I cruised by a patchouli-oil-smelling, hippie used-to-be in a 32-thousand-dollar Prius that left a Sasquatch sized carbon footprint compared to the almost-90-mile-per-hour beast between my legs (the bike people, stay focused...)...

In the face of such strong (and fast and sleek) evidence, I am now fully convinced that the "Vectrix is bankrupt/Vectrix is for sale" hoopla was a cleverly designed marketing ploy thunk up by some high-falutin' executive in a pant-suit that cost her more than the reasonably priced VX-1E will cost you.

Green Bike - Yeah, that's right...

Dr Wolfgang Gohl Doctoral Thesis

2008-11-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Hochauflösende Flugzeitmassenspektrometrie / (1986)

Gohl, Wolfgang.

Thesis (doctoral)--Justus Liebig-Universität Giessen, 1986.

Selected Publication Information

Authors

Gohl, Wolfgang.
Justus Liebig-Universität Giessen.

Repository

OCLC's Experimental Thesis Catalog

Most widely held works by Wolfgang Gohl

Hochauflösende Flugzeitmassenspektrometrie by Wolfgang Gohl( Book )
1 edition published in 1986 in German and held by 7 libraries worldwide

Die "Bayernliga" : Ergebnisse, Tabellen und Statistiken zur obersten Spielklasse im BFV ; 1945-1997 ; eine Zusammenstellung( Book )
1 edition published in 1998 in German and held by 2 libraries worldwide

1H-NMR Untersuchungen zur molekularen Wechselwirkung einiger biologisch interessanter Phenäthylamin-Derivate mit ATP by Wolfgang Gohl( Book )
1 edition published in 1979 in German and held by 1 library worldwide

Landesliga Bayern : 1963 - 2002 : eine Zusammenstellung( Book )
1 edition published in 2002 in German and held by 1 library worldwide

Vectrix Corporation

2008-11-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Vectrix Corporation

— AGM Statement

Vectrix Corporation [AIM:VRX], the high performance zero emission scooter company, is pleased to provide the following H1 trading update in advance of the AGM to be held at 11:00 am EDT today.

2007 was a year in transition for the Group, as it moved from being a design and development company to becoming a manufacturer and marketer of the world’s first high performance zero emission two wheel vehicle. The first half of fiscal 2008 remained low from the perspective of revenues generated as we began building a larger dealer network. In the first half of fiscal year 2008, Vectrix grew its sales of bikes to dealers by 222 units and expanded its global dealer network, with an increased focus on North America. Recognised revenue for the half year was US$ 1.3M and deferred revenue was US$ 4.6M at 31 March 2008.

However, the Company has noted a number of signs of turnaround early in calendar year 2008 that are expected to result in significant revenue increases beginning in the second half year in various markets that are currently being actively pursued (both in dealer and fleet sides of the business). In particular, as a result of securing dealer inventory financing (floor planning) in North America with GE Capital, which was finalised in early April, the Company has received multiple applications from new dealers interested in selling the Vectrix bike in their respective geographical areas. Also, in North America, Vectrix launched its fleet business and delivered the first bikes to potential fleet customers in California and New York. The Company is also pursuing various fleet opportunities in Europe, mostly in the UK and Spain.

To drive these opportunities, the Company has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mike Boyle, with many years of experience in running public companies and a great deal of success in various turnaround situations. Mr. Boyle will assume his position at the conclusion of the AGM. The Board also intends to nominate Mr. Boyle as a director, to fill the seat being vacated by the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer, Andrew J. MacGowan which will be voted upon at the AGM.

Throughout the period Vectrix has taken measures to reduce its cash spend, primarily through renegotiating payments and delaying component supplier shipments, slowing R&D spending and also by right sizing its Southern Europe operations. The Company installed additional budgetary and cash controls to better manage its cash flows, and undertook major steps to decrease the amount of inventory of finished product on hand, to improve its liquidity as well as to capitalize on its new agreement with Gold Peak to utilize new lithium battery in future products. In Poland, the Company slowed significantly the build of new bikes to avoid further overstocking and redirected its production focus to finding new contract manufacturing opportunities. Vectrix ended its half year with approximately US$26M of cash, in line with its expectations.

For the period 1 October 2007 through 31 March 2008, Vectrix has:

— produced an additional 245 bikes

— shipped 274 bikes from its manufacturing facilities in Wroclaw in Poland

— retained a stock of approximately 550 bikes in Wroclaw, pending future shipments

— invoiced US$2.2 million of bikes and related spare parts and accessories under purchase contracts with retail customers buying directly from Vectrix owned stores or pursuant to orders placed by dealers under their contracts with Vectrix entities worldwide. This brings the total number of invoiced bikes and associated products to over US$6.5M (net of any credits or returns).

Since inception, the Company has invoiced and shipped 690 bikes to dealers globally and sold a total of 193 bikes to end users.

Vectrix continued its rapid build out of the dealer network in Northern Europe, invoicing bikes to customers in 11 countries in that region.

The Company has undertaken additional steps to improve its customer service and post sales support, streamlined its logistics and inventory management. Additional training was provided to dealers to manage post sales support of customers and initiatives have been made to sell previously used bikes in selected countries to establish a market for second hand Vectrix scooters.

Mr. Boyle looks forward to providing shareholders with a comprehensive update in the near future.

Enquiries:

VECTRIX Corporation www.vectrix.com

Chris Moe, Chief Financial Officer (401) 848-9993

Redleaf Communications

Emma Kane/Paul Dulieu 020 7822 0200

HSBC

Nick Donald / Nic Hellyer 020 7991 8888

Notes to Editors

— Vectrix listed on AIM in May 2007 and is the developer of the world’s first high performance, zero emission, electric maxi scooter which is at least 10 times more powerful than existing electric power two wheel vehicles.

— Vectrix Corporation is dedicated to developing and commercializing zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. Longer term, Vectrix plans to develop environmentally sensitive technologies for other segments within the transportation industry.

— Vectrix is headquartered in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA, has a modern production facility in Wroclaw, Poland and a test facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

— Vectrix was awarded the 2006 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation and Leadership in Alternative Vehicle Technologies.

— Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the world. A typical motor scooter produces significantly more carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions than a large diesel truck, and far more than a modern low emission automobile. The Vectrix scooter utilizes innovative zero-emission technology, offering customers a clean, affordable, and much needed alternative.

— In 2006, the scooter market* in countries targeted by Vectrix was worth USD3.1 billion. Within the powered two-wheel vehicle market (PTW), the trend in Europe is towards scooters, with the Maxi Scooter segment being the fastest growing segment over the last six years. (Source: LEK Report "Power Two Wheeler Market Overview," March 2007.)

Vectrix update

2008-11-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

FROM http://scootinoldskool.wordpress.com

by Orin

Orin O’Neill photo

Vectrix has released sales figures, per listing requirements of the London Stock Exchange, and the news is pretty bad. Autobloggreen (in the blogroll under “Other Stuff”) reports the situation in detail.

In a nutshell, the company has built 2,002 of the MAXI electric scooters, and sold only 123 of them. As you might guess, the company’s bottom line is looking rather bleak at the moment.

I personally liked the Vectrix, but have a serious issue with its $11,000 price tag, especially given its rather limited range.

In light of this news, one might be able to cut a sweet deal with a nervous dealer. Or you could wait for the company to declare bankruptcy—a very likely outcome if they don’t sell a whole lot more of them, quickly—and get a real deal. Maybe.

You’d still have the range issue, though the progress being made in battery technology lately could make that issue moot. The L.A. Times’ Susan Carpenter reported a range of just 45 miles. The manufacturer claims 68, but only if you go no faster than 25 mph. Right, like that’s how everybody rides.

Remember, the PX has a 2-gal. gas tank, and the low-fuel light comes on after 120-130 miles. A battery offering that kind of range would make a good electric scooter (except for the Vectrix, the ones on the market now are, frankly, crap) practical. ABG posts many stories about battery research, and all indications are such batteries are getting close, cost being the biggest stumbling block.

I’m the first to admit I’m not exactly being green by riding a PX 150. But to the greener-than-thou, I say I’ll park it (or only take it out on special occasions) when leaf blowers, weed wackers, gas-fueled lawn mowers and other devices with 2-stroke engines are banned. As I said, I like the Vectrix.

I’d have no trouble at all going up the Counterbalance…

Test Drive: The New Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter

2008-11-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

From Go-Moto:

Well, it's GO GREEN week here at Go Moto. This morning I blogged about biodiesel motorcycles, now it's electric!

This afternoon I took a ride over to Kirkland to test drive the new Vectrix Electric Maxi-Scooter. This bike is part scooter, part beefy motorcycle, and part toaster (the plug). It's the equivalent of a 500cc motorcycle, but it goes from 0-50 faster than my 1100 cruiser. This scooter is fast – lightening fast – almost scary fast. It goes 62 miles per hour at top speed. I did not go that fast, but I did go about 50mph and it felt like I was gliding.

I will tell you about my test ride in a bit. While at The Green Car Company, our area's only distributor for the Vectrix scooters, I met David. David is the first person in the northwest to take delivery of a Vectrix. His is the pretty blue one in front of this picture.

David was there picking up his new ride. I asked him why he chose the Vectrix and a few reasons topped his list:

Fuel efficiency
Lower dependency on oil
Be green
It's cool and fun to drive!

David is also interested in the Tesla, an electric car being produced down in Albuquerque (and other places). I would love to have both a Tesla and a Vectrix parked in my garage!

Gary Chittam, the environmental reporter from King 5, was there to talk to David too and they filmed him leaving the parking lot on his shiny new Vectrix. It was all very cool.

Would you like to test drive a Vectrix? See the details on a special Vectrix event coming to our area August 11th and 12th toward the end of this post. I'll be there!

One thing to note: Because this is a 500cc equivalent bike, you need a motorcycle license endorsement to ride the Vectrix. No endorsement, no test drive.

My training session for the test drive took only 60 seconds. There are just a few things to learn and you can be ready to ride. This machine is simple and elegant. The instrument panels tell you when the bike is ready to go. It actually reads the word, "GO." The bike also estimates how many miles you have left to go on a charge. The throttle is very responsive and the Vectrix is whisper quiet. The two brakes (both on the handlebar grip) are strong and effective. The steering felt weird to me because it was so light to the touch. I am used to pushing on the handlebar cruiser style. The bike weighs about 500 pounds and the weight is distributed low and centered, so it feels light.

I really liked the Vectrix and I want one. On my wish list it goes! I would like a red one like this, thank you.

There are a couple modifications I would make to the Vectrix. First, this is a pretty tall bike. I am about five feet five and I could barely touch my heels to the ground. This is not a scooter for people under five feet four or so UNLESS (and this is what I would do) you modified the seat. The Vectrix cannot be lowered, but the seat is made of thick foam. If I get a Vectrix, I will take it to Rich's Custom Seats and have him take out some of that foam and replace it with smaller and equally comfortable gel (this is what I did with my R1200C and it made the bike more comfy and lowered it by 1.5 inches). Rich can do this, put it back together, and make it look like it was intended that way. I think you could easily take one or two inches off the height of the seat with this method.

I really like the storage in the Vectrix, and I would add more. It has a small locking glove compartment in the front and a large locking storage under the seat that will hold a full-face helmet and another bag. You can also buy an optional trunk for the Vectrix, which I would do.

Of course, whenever you add weight, you reduce the running time on one charge. The Vectrix has a regenerative breaking feature that allows you to charge back some power while in operation, but it will still need to be charged regularly (they say it lasts 68 miles at 25 mph or about five hours of urban driving, but who goes 25mph?). Recharging each evening is a small price to pay for the pleasure of fun travel that is less harmful to the environment. It takes two hours to recharge when the battery is low.

A cool feature of the Vectrix is that is has a reverse speed. No more worries about parking in downward sloping spaces! (You only make that mistake once…) And the parts and components feel high quality. It has Pirelli tires, nice design details, and Brembo disc breaks.

And like a motorcycle or gas scooter, the Vectrix can scoot around easily and squeeze into tight parking spaces.

The Vectrix has a sticker price of $11,000 and comes with a two-year warranty. After purchase, the Vectrix is very inexpensive to operate, about two cents per mile.

Want to try a Vectrix? On August 11th and 12th, The Green Car Company and folks from Vectrix HQ in Rhode Island will be hosting an event at the Totem Lake Mall. Here are the details.

Date: Sat.-Sun., August 11-12, 2007
Time: Sat. 12-7 PM, Sun. 12-5 PM
Place: Totem Lake Mall, South Parking Lot, 12500 Totem Lake Blvd. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

Here's a link to a map.

They will have a video presentation, company experts to answer your questions, and lots of Maxi-Scooters for you to try. Remember, because this is a big scooter, you will need a motorcycle endorsement to test drive and drive the Vectrix.

If you go and see me there (I am hard to miss with my black and yellow gear and unnaturally red hair), say HI.

A commercial jingle keeps going through my mind and I can't get out of my head. I don't know what product it is for, but it goes like this:

Plug it in, plug it in.

Yeah, Seattle, let's plug it in.

Posted by Lisa Haneberg

Vectrix Electric Super Bike

2008-10-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Vectrix Electric Super Bike

By Alice Hill
RealTechNews

Now this is what I call being green! The first all-electric super bike from Vectrix sports a very innovative new look, and can top out at 124 miles per hour (or 200 kph.) It has no unsightly exhaust pipes spoiling the sleek new lines, no bulky engine, or fuel system, and I’ll bet is whisper quiet on the straightaways. But with no roar of the engine, I wonder how many bike purists will object? Source: tuvie

Vectrix Electric Superbike Gallery

2008-10-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Vectrix in the Gazette

2008-10-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

GETTING THERE: Electric scooter really scoots

BILL MCKEOWN

September 26, 2008 - 12:09PM

An interesting alternative to the gas-guzzling Yukon sucking you dry is now on the showroom floor at Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza: an electric scooter capable of mixing it up on city streets.

The Vectrix scooter gets the equivalent of 357 miles per gallon per electrical charge, which costs about 50 cents, said Steve Clark, general manager at Rocky Mountain.

The scooter, essentially the size of a mid-sized motorcycle, is made in Poland for Massachusetts-based Vectrix.

The details: A nickel metal hydride battery pack pushes the 515-pound scooter to 62 mph, with a nice acceleration of 0-50 in 6.8 seconds. The "maxi-scooter," as Vectrix calls it, has a 60-inch wheelbase and 30-inch seat height, giving the rider more stability and visibility on city streets. This is not one of those 50cc micro-scooters that has a hard time leaving a stop light.

In fact, a recent test ride revealed a machine that can really scoot. Unlike gasoline engines, electric motors produce full torque with the first twist of the throttle. That allows the scooter to jump ahead of cars at stoplights and accelerate into gaps in traffic, allowing riders to keep a safety zone around them.

The scooter, nicely finished and with a lot of storage, was easily able to keep up with traffic on city streets. Locomotion is direct from motor to wheel, so there is no clutch lever or transmission shifter to master. Rotating the throttle back produces a braking effect and slightly recharges the battery as the machine slows for a stop.

There is, obviously, a complete lack of engine noise, a welcome relief for riders accustomed to tiring exhaust noise. The long wheelbase and the battery pack carried low in the frame contribute to stable but effortless counter-steering. It would be a nice machine to get around the city.

But there are drawbacks to the Vectrix: It has an average range of 30 to 55 miles before it needs to be plugged into a 110-volt electrical outlet for a two-hour to three-hour charge. Higher speeds means recharging more often.

And the scooters aren't cheap: Clark said the machines range from $8,000 to $9,000.

Clark said the Vectrix has been selling well in Boulder. But this is Colorado Springs, so he has "modest expectations" for sales.

Still, he said he decided to carry the scooter, in part, to encourage further development of electric two-wheeled vehicles, including the next generation of batteries that promise far more miles between a charge. In fact, Vectrix is developing a smaller electric scooter and a sportbike that may use that refined technology.

Clark said he expects customers to be well-heeled professionals who don't have a long commute and can afford a traditional machine but want the Vectrix for bragging rights, its zero-emissions and the rude - but cute - finger it raises to Big Oil.

"It's for the Prius-type customer," he said, referring to the popular Toyota hybrid.

For more information about the scooter and the company producing it, visit: www.vectrix.com

Vectrix in Small Cap

2008-10-08T13:13:00.001-07:00

Vectrix makes progress in drive to sell electric bikes

Vectrix, the American company that makes battery-powered, high performance and zero emission bikes, steered itself to triple digit sales growth last year as strategies to improve distribution paid off.

In an update ahead of results for the year to September 30, Vectrix said it had sold 1,184 bikes to dealers – known as Sell In – representing a 156% increase over the previous financial year.

Of those, 204 bikes were sold in the first half and 980 bikes were sold in the second half. The company credited the 'half-on-half' growth rate of 380% to its move from being an R&D development stage company into an organisation fully focused on commercialising its product.

Revenue for the year based on the number of units sold to end users – known as Sell Out – rose by 738% to $6.7 million.

Michael Boyle, chief executive of Vectrix Corporation said: “The second half of the financial year has been an exciting time at Vectrix. Strategies to stabilise the business are taking hold, cost reductions have proved effective and the acceleration of Sell-In, as a result of the focused expansion in distribution, is continuing. All of these factors, coupled with the expanded 2009 product strategy will allow us to take further steps towards achieving the success we expect from these markets and our business.”

Vectrix in Sys-Con

2008-10-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Vectrix Reports Strong Second Half Growth and Expanded 2009 Product Line

MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectrix Corporation (www.vectrix.com), the world leader in high performance zero emission two-wheel vehicles, is pleased to provide the following update for the financial year ended September 30, 2008.

During the year the Company sold 1,184 bikes to dealers ("Sell-In") representing a 156% increase over the previous financial year (FY2007: 462). These were split between 204 bikes sold-in in the first half of the year and 980 bikes sold-in in the second half. The 'half-on-half' growth rate of 380% was a direct result of Vectrix's move from being an R&D development stage company into an organization fully focused on commercializing its product.

North American Sales

In North America, Sell-In for the year was 455 bikes of which 432 were in the second half (H1 2008: 23). This growth is attributed to Vectrix's strategy to focus on developing a North American dealer network. In Europe, Sell-In for the year was 729 bikes of which 548 were in the second half (H1 2008: 181).

Revenue for the year is currently accounted for on the number of units sold to end users ("Sell-Out"). The Company anticipate Sell-Out for the year of 754 bikes, resulting in an increase in revenue of 738% to $6.7 million (FY2007: $0.8 million). Revenue for the second half of the year is expected to be $4.8 million, an increase of 152% on the first half of the year (H1 2008: $1.9 million).

The Company also saw significant growth in its distribution business during the year. Its dealer organization, which is defined as "dealer points of sale," expanded to 160 dealer points of sale from 38 at the close of the previous financial year. This represented an increase of 122 dealer points of sale or 321% growth. This growth occurred in both North America and Europe with virtually all the growth occurring in the second half of the year. Vectrix believes that its continued focus and success in building a distribution network is critical to supporting the long-term objectives of the Company. As a result, for the first time in the Company's history, Vectrix will enter a new financial year with a backlog of orders for its product.

Much of the acceleration in sales during the second half of the financial year is as a result of the previously announced pricing strategy. This has also resulted in a significant reduction in inventory to approximately $8.8 million at the year-end, while also conditioning consumer expectation for model price increases for 2008 and the new 2009 model year offerings.

Michael Boyle, CEO, Vectrix Corporation said: "The second half of the financial year has been an exciting time at Vectrix. Strategies to stabilize the business are taking hold, cost reductions have proved effective and the acceleration of Sell-In, as a result of the focused expansion in distribution, is continuing. All of these factors, coupled with the expanded 2009 product strategy will allow us to take further steps towards achieving the success we expect from these markets and our business."

Expanded Product Family

For the new financial year Vectrix is introducing an expanded Product Family. The flagship product will be called the Vx1 and will be a refreshed version of the current Vectrix bike. A new model identified as the Vx1e will be introduced in spring 2009. The Vx1e uses the same platform and drive train as the Vx1, but features a more urban commuter driver profile with slightly less acceleration and top speed and will create an exciting new price point. In addition, in summer 2009, the Company will introduce an entry-level model called the Vx2. The Vx2 will be a smaller and more compact electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine (ICE) bike and use both US and European designs. The Company expects to add additional power profiles to this product up to the electric equivalent of a 150cc ICE motorbike. Like the Vx1 and Vx1e, the Vx2 will have the distinctive style and quality consumers have come to expect from Vectrix.

The expanded product line creates a "Product Family Strategy" and provides the consumer with a Vectrix product equivalent to 50-350cc ICE bikes, which is the largest electric two-wheel range in the world. Additionally, the Company is introducing a line of new accessories. All of these new products and accessories will contribute and support the Company's growth in the new financial year. Vectrix is positioned in the market as a high-end product offering with exceptional technology, engineering, performance and quality. Vectrix's "Product Family Strategy" will build on the current Vectrix brand image, positioning our products in a way similar to the way high-end automotive companies have positioned their products.

About Vectrix Corporation

Vectrix Corporation was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix two-wheel zero emission vehicles currently are being marketed to consumers and government fleets. Vectrix Corporation has headquarters in Middletown, R.I., engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., sales offices in the UK and production facilities in Wroclaw, Poland.

SOURCE Vectrix Corporation

Vectrix in Forbes

2008-10-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Vectrix FY bike sales up 156 pct (FORBES)

Vectrix Corp. said it expects a 738 percent rise in revenues for the year to Sept 30 to $6.7 million, in anticipation of sell-out of 754 bikes.

The company said it sold 1,184 bikes to dealers, representing a 156 percent increase over the previous financial year.

In the trading update the company added its revenue for the second half is expected to be $4.8 million, an increase of 152 percent compared to $1.9 million recorded in the first half.

'Strategies to stabilise the business are taking hold, cost reductions have proved effective and the acceleration of Sell-In, as a result of the focused expansion in distribution, is continuing,' said CEO Michael Boyle.

Vectrix added its dealer organisation, which is defined as 'dealer points of sale', expanded to 160 dealer points of sale from 38 at the close of the previos year.

The company added it had net working capital, including cash and short term investments, of around $14.4 million till the year-end.

'Although the company is not at a cash flow breakeven point the cash position remained adequate in the second half of the year and has been assisted by a programme of aggressive restructuring actions to reduce cash consumption,' it said.

Vectrix expects the use of existing cash and results from its expanded product line to provide adequate working capital for the new financial year.

The company is expected to announce its full year results on Jan 15

Perfectly Green

2008-08-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Your Perfect Scooter is Electric ... and Available

Apart from the fact that it's not free, there is little else not to like about the Vectrix electric scooter. For instance, it:

Goes fast (at 60+ mph, is highway rated)
Accelerates well (0 to 50 mph in <>
Travels far (30 - 55 miles per charge ... sometimes better than the Volt)
Charges from a regular outlet
Uses no gas
Looks good
Is basically a rolling gadget (see quote below)

According to Newport, Rhode Island store owner Ray Alexander: It's essentially "a software-driven vehicle with an electric motor on the back wheel." Maintenance involves hooking the scooter to a laptop computer to conduct a diagnostic check and look for software upgrades."

Is that cool or what? I'll need to inquire about future mods for an ipod jack and USB charging stations for smaller devices while you drive. Hopefully they can scale their manufacturing to meet the monster demand $4 gas brings. There are plenty of gas-powered Vespas hitting the streets these days, but these guys are really doing it right. Here's the full article in today's Boston Glob. Stay tuned.

Photo courtesy of Vectrix Corporation

Let's take a look at Vectrix...

2008-08-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

So I'm doing some research on electric vehicles, motorcycles in particular, and this company pops onto my radar. They're called Vectrix, and they're coming onto the scene pretty strong.

Here's a quick look at some of their executives, the names and work of whom I recognize:

Mike Boyle
CEO & President

Directly responsible for all aspects of corporate management, strategy, business and organizational development, and investor relations
35 years of experience in executive and general management of private and publicly held companies
President, CEO and director of Telular Corporation from 2005 to 2007
Founder, President and CEO of Prizm Technology
President, CEO and director of Phoenix Wireless Group
MM, Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University

Peter S. Hughes
Chief Technology Officer

Manages all technology development activity for Vectrix
Over 31 years of engineering management experience in the fields of electrical energy generation and distribution, renewable energy products and power electronic drive systems
Executive Vice President for Atlantic Orient Corporation, a developer of advanced wind turbine.
Advanced Energy Systems Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, with primary responsibilities in the area of emerging energy technologies
BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, MS in Energy Resources from the University of Pittsburgh; MBA from Robert Morris College
Registered PE in MA, PA, and VT

Mitch Turner (now this guy is a real PMP...
Chief Information Officer

Mr. Turner joined Vectrix in June 2007 and is responsible for the company's global information systems and business applications
He has over 20 years of financial and information systems experience in the manufacturing, banking and consulting industries
He led the financial division of the worlds largest tank container manufacturer in South Africa
He led global systems implementations of major business applications for Fortune 100 companies while with one of the worlds largest IT consulting company's
He founded and led a consulting business focused on management and systems consulting
He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of South Africa and an MBA from California Coast University
Mr. Turner is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Christopher R. Moe
Chief Financial Officer

Responsible for business and capital development.
20 years experience in M&A and corporate finance, as advisor and principal with a focus on transportation
Managing Director, Kirkland Investment Corporation,
President of St. Louis Ship Industries
Vice President of Wasserstein, Perella & Co.'s merchant banking fund
Vice President/Area head with Citicorp Leveraged Capital Group
Captain in the United States Marine Corps
BA degree in English from Brown University; MBA from Harvard University

Dr. Wolfgang Gohl
Vice President of Manufacturing

Leads all manufacturing activities for Vectrix
More than 20 years experience in operations management, including start up of green field activities in central Europe for Parker Hannifin
Dr. Gohl started his career as an R&D engineer in the scientific instrumentation division of the German-based technology company Leybold. Later he became the head of the Quality Department before he was appointed operations manager in Parker Hannifin's European Hose Product Division
International experience includes change management projects, business system implementations, startup of new plants, technology and development.
BS degree and PhD in Physics from the University of Giessen, Germany
Fluent in German, English and Polish

John W. Schnorr
Treasurer

Responsible for developing policies and procedures and day to day management of cash, working capital, foreign exchange and risk management.
Also assists with VECTRIX's interface with the capital markets, developing global banking relationships and with investor relations.
Broad range of experience in directing financial planning and analysis and managing treasury related projects.
Prior to joining VECTRIX, Treasury Manager at HASBRO Inc., the world's second largest toy company, where he managed all capital markets related projects.
Senior Financial Analyst for Invensys (formerly Marcam Solutions), a leading developer of enterprise resource planning software.
BS degree from the University of Vermont
MBA from The F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College.

Scott Williams
Chief Sales Officer

Mr. Williams joined the Company in April 2007 and is responsible for developing and leading the global sales team
Mr. Williams has over 26 years of experience leading business development at companies including Verizon Business, MCI Solutions, Adlex Corporation and Nortel Networks
Mr. Williams has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts

Strong, right? It get better...

CBS The Early Show highlights the Vectrix

Interest in scooters has been increasing as the pain at the pump has been intensifying, dealers report, as people looking to save on gas in turn cut down on the number of wheels under them!

And on The Early Show Saturday, Men's Health magazine's Matt Bean showcased several of the latest and coolest ones.

They're all ultra-fuel efficient. Two don't even use gas at all!

Read the whole article.

First Ride on a Vectrix ZEV

"The Vectrix ZEV (zero emission vehicle) is a fully electric bike. This means it's great for the environment, especially when Mark plugs it in at my house and charges it from my solar. Oh, and did I mention it isn’t slow? Zero to 50 MPH in 6.8 seconds. Mark was nice enough to let me ride around on his new bike this afternoon and run the battery down.

"Now I might need to sell my Kawasaki ZX-7 and get one on these green bikes. Well, either way I need to get rid of my Ninja to get further along in our goal of no gas vehicles for our family."

Read the whole article.

Mayor, Police Chief Launch Pilot to put Providence, R.I., Officers on Electric Scooters

Officials in Providence, R.I., are looking at putting neighborhood police on electric scooters in order to reduce the department's carbon footprint. Mayor David N. Cicilline, Police Chief Dean M. Esserman and representatives from Vectrix Corporation today launched a three-month pilot program at the city's police department to road test eco-friendly, electric scooters from the company.

Vectrix Featured on CNNMoney

This planet-friendly commuter bike is even greener than a hybrid.

Here's the video: