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Electric Car Manufacturer CODA Automotive announced today that they will be opening a new production facility in Central Ohio to build the lithium ion batteries for their automobiles. The new plant does not have a specific location selected yet, but is expected to create over 1000 new jobs for the region.
“This is a great day for Ohio’s economic future,” Governor Ted Strickland said earlier today at a gathering of state and local leaders who made the announcement. “We have the skilled workers, a world-class manufacturing infrastructure and a competitive business environment.”
On Monday, May 3rd, CODA Automotive, in partnership with local leadership, held a special event at COSI to show off the launch model of their electric four-door sedan, which will be available for sale later this year. This new vehicle runs entirely on electricity and travels between 90 and 120 miles on a single charge, equivalent to $1.50 in electricity. More discussion on the CODA vehicle can be found HERE.
“This represents an opportunity for Columbus to be the epicenter of a new generation of electrification ecosystems,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman during today’s announcement. “This project represents the type of innovation and jobs that we will aggressively pursue and continue to attract to the City of Columbus.”
More information can be found online at www.codaautomotive.com.
Very nice! Looking forward to see where they build this.
This is great if it is built in the inner core. Cleveland and 5th. Perfect location. Large enough site, and a workforce that is in need of an infusion. They had better not build this thing on the outskirts, but the “Central Ohio” label worries me a little.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/25/coda-columbus-art-gfl8l5kq-1.html?sid=101
“Although the company is looking at several local sites, the leading choice is the former Lucent Technologies factory on E. Broad Street.”
“Site selection: Coda is negotiating to use the former Lucent Technologies plant on the Far East Side. If this deal isn’t completed, other local sites are being considered.”
GOOGLE MAP
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1392+W+2nd+Ave,+Columbus,+Franklin,+Ohio+43212&ll=39.982382,-82.83582&spn=0.016721,0.026157&t=h&z=16
And I second the idea of 5th and Cleveland Ave. Would do a great deal for the area.
This is quite interesting on a couple of fronts:
-If this company is successful, This could be analogous to when Gov. Rhodes attracted the Honda motorcycle plant to Ohio. Imagine where our economy would be without Honda!
-It could put Columbus at the forefront of a new Green technology.
It sounds like there’s still some work for CODA to do to become a successful company, but this COULD be a transformational company for Columbus, Ohio and the nation!
This is another example of the city wooing businesses to the outskirts (which is why that property is their #1 choice) vs. walking the walk about reinvesting in our core neighborhoods. To them the E 5th and Cleveland area is just another long-forgotten, run-down area. I doubt the vast majority of them even know the name of the neighborhood, let alone ever set foot there, so why bother? No one will notice, except Milo-Grogan residents and some know-it-alls on CU. Let’s make all these huge investments out near 270 and dangle some pretty downtown renderings in front of those uppity urbanites to shut them up.
Oh well, at least we might finally get lots of people riding CODA.
Columbusite, I agree with you. More emphasis should be placed on the inner core properties. There will be plenty of folks who say it costs to much to clean the sites up, but when Delphi needed clean up, POOF and it gets done. Oh, and by the way, you mean more folks riding COTA, not CODA ; )
I think the Lucent Technologies site might be more attractive than 5th and Cleveland due to being able to use existing infrastructure and more land. Both sites are close to or touching existing rail lines, but the Lucent site is closer to the airport as well.
…. Or we could go with the theory that the City of Columbus hates it’s core neighborhoods.
I don’t think the perception is the the City “hates” its core neighborhoods at all. I just think that when it comes to job creation, the emphasis lately has been on some of the outer rim areas as opposed to core neighborhoods. The Lucent site is closer by how much, though? Cleveland and Fifth provides easy access to 670, so the distance would not be that much. I do get it that the Lucent site has more land, but soembody has to start talking about some of our inner core areas for jobs, or we will keep hearing the excuses for “why not” until the end of time.
As a person who follows the auto industry closely, I must warn that there is probably a 75% chance that this project will fall through.
First, it is EXTREMELY difficult to get a car to pass all the safety tests for the US market. The Chinese manufacturers really want to sell here but cant because of their lack of knowledge and experience. Coda would have to poach huge numbers of engineers from American, European, or Japanese automakers to get to job 1.
Also, Nissan is getting ready to release their all electric Leaf by the end of the year and Ford will have an electric Focus around winter 2011-12. Given that the price point, specs, and range of the Coda is similar to the mass market manufacturers, they will face an uphill battle if they do manage to get their safety certification in order.
I think it’s fine to put it at the old Lucent plant for two reasons:
1. It’s a mostly empty, huge facility that could benefit from this investment, much like the Timken site.
2. I highly doubt that the City could steer any business owner to accept a site that would be inferior for their business plan. CODA is looking to get up and running quickly. The Lucent site is much more modern and can be easily converted. The old Timken site at 5th and Cleveland would need a much more substantial investment.
I admire the boosterism for the inner city areas, but the reality is that the City can’t choose where a business will go.
I hear you George, but the table can be set. If not CODA, then someone else. A substantial investment was made to clean up Delphi. I think it can be done. If there is a will…
Battery plant waits on loan
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
BY DAN GEARINO
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The fate of a proposed battery plant and 1,000 local jobs likely will be decided in Washington.
Coda Automotive will apply soon for a federal loan of more than $400 million to set up the plant in central Ohio to build batteries for all-electric cars. The money, part of a $25 billion Department of Energy program, would be the largest component in a package of government aid and private investment.
READ MORE
How about a joint proton therapy facility at the Timken site? According to a dispatch article back in December 2009 four hospitals and Battelle are looking to build a facility of their own and no site has been selected yet. Now that the Dublin facility has been put on hold one could be built closer to the city.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/12/04/Proton.ART_ART_12-04-09_B1_9AFSTHK.html
Electric-car maker Coda submits application for battery-plant loan
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
BY DAN GEARINO
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Coda Automotive has submitted its application for a federal loan that would enable the company to build a battery factory in Columbus.
READ MORE
Press Release:
City to Extend Incentives to Electric Car Company
CODA will Invest $657 Million and Create 1,000 jobs
Mayor Michael B. Coleman is forwarding legislation today to help Lio Energy Systems Holdings LLC—a global joint venture with Lishen Power Battery and CODA Automotive—locate its production facility in Columbus. The company will invest $657 million and create 1,000 jobs. Lishen is a leading global supplier of consumer cells and batteries for cell-phones, laptop computers and e-bikes.
“I’m so excited about CODA’s investment because it creates jobs while advancing cutting-edge technology that protects our environment.†Mayor Coleman said. “This project is yet another example of why Columbus continues to be an oasis of economic activity even through the depths of the national recession.â€Â
Headquartered in Santa Monica California, CODA designs, manufactures and sells electric vehicles as well as lithium-ion battery systems built for transportation and utility applications, and will locate at the former Lucent Technologies site at 6200 E. Broad Street. CODA will produce automotive grade lithium-ion cells to make 34 kWh battery packets with advanced thermal management and battery management electronics. The battery systems will be produced primarily for use in the CODA all-electric sedan. The CODA sedan, is a four-door, five-passenger battery electric vehicle with a range of up to 120 miles per charge and is scheduled for delivery later this year.
“The incentives Columbus has put on the table will allow CODA to leverage state and federal dollars, help make CODA’s commitment to Columbus a reality and grow our economy,†said Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, chair of the Finance and Economic Development committee. “As a city, we continue to invest in making our facilities and fleet more environmentally friendly, and it is exciting to have a partner in green technology make Columbus their home.â€Â
The administration is proposing to grant an Enterprise Zone Incentive of 75 percent for 10 years, a Jobs Creation Tax Credit of 65 percent for 12 years and a Jobs Growth Incentive of 35 percent for 8 years. Lio Energy systems currently operates a manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. The company expects to begin renovations in second quarter of 2011, with completion in 2013.
From the Dispatch…
Coda considering 3 South Side sites
California company says battery plant could go in near Rickenbacker Airport
By Dan Gearino and Marla Matzer Rose
Coda Automotive is considering three potential sites near Rickenbacker Airport on the South Side for a proposed battery plant.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/02/25/coda-considering-3-south-side-sites.html