DaimlerChrysler's GEMs Cross the Atlantic!

Perfect driving alternative for Europe's Cities and many other transportation needs.

Global Electric Motorcars, and parent company DaimlerChrysler, debuted the European versions of their industry-leading 2005 GEM Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) at the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Monoco. The special European versions of the cars became available for sale early this summer in selected markets throughout Europe.

The GEM gained notoriety last year when it became the official transport vehicle for the G8 Summit that was held in Sea Island, Georgia in the United States. The cars were specially designed for the leaders of 9 governments including France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Great Britain, and the European Union.

The European version 2005 GEMs will be sold through specially selected distributors around Europe. Four models will be sold: the e2 which is a two-passenger coupe, the e4, a four-passenger sedan, as well as the eL and eS, which are two passenger cars designed with cargo beds for hauling light cargo.

"The official European launch is an event that we have been building up to for the last few years," said Richard J. Kasper, President & COO of Global Electric Motorcars, LLC. "We are proud to be bringing zero-emission driving to the streets and neighborhoods of Europe."

"Zero-emission GEMs provide clean, quiet, efficient and affordable transportation. As an alternative to conventional combustion-powered vehicles, they can have a significant impact on air quality. And best of all, GEMs are fun to drive," adds Kasper.

Improvements that were recently integrated into the 2005 GEMs include a new front suspension, a wider track and improved steering for increased maneuverability, a new drive motor controller that provides enhanced regenerative braking and improved top speed regulation as well as a new digital driver information display.

Over 30,000 GEMs have been produced and distributed across the United States and a few other international locations. The cars can be seen in settings such as city centers, master planned communities, rural areas, military bases, parks, industrial developments, airports, and university campuses. "All the projections are for continued growth in the international marketplace for neighborhood electric vehicles," said Larry Oswald, GEM CEO and Director of the GEM and Electric Vehicle Product Team for DaimlerChrysler. "GEM is already the industry leader in this market, and with the European release we are poised to broaden our leadership." Within the United States GEM vehicles are street-legal in most states and can be driven on roadways with speeds of 35 mph or less. The vehicles have a top speed of 25 mph and meet all safety standards established by the United States Federal Government for Neighborhood Electric or Low Speed Vehicles. Similar standards are expected to be adopted in Europe.