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March 26, 2006
California VCs Eye Fuel-efficient German Auto Startup
Over at Silicon Beat, there is a report on Silicon Valley VC interest in alternative energy investment. The Economist also featured a profile of a billionaire VC who has turned to alternative energy because high tech doesn't do it for him anymore. We note the trend and also want to pick up on SB's coverage of a German startup, Loremo AG.
The company has built a super-efficient "Loremo LS" coupe that costs only 11,000 Euro and features a "mind-blowing" 157MPG mileage. It was shown in Geneva earlier this month.(Silicon Beat)
The German startup is aiming to bring two versions of its lightweight and aerodynamic auto to market, one that clocks its highest speed at160 Km/h, and one that tops out at 220 Km/h, which would be good for German autobahn driving where speed limits are not assigned. Both are slated for 2009 delivery.
Loremo's engineers appears to have adapted some efficiency-enabling design tricks used by mobilephone manufacturers.
The company is based in Munich and has been in the works since the early nineties. The founders, Uli Sommer, Stefan Ruetz and Gerhard Heilmaier, brought in some investors in 2005, according to the firm's website.
We think that Loremo is on the right track, but it should also develop a model that would offer an alternative to the gas-guzzling minivan favoured by parents that insist on driving their kids to school or the ones that get "volunteered" for the tri-weekly socceer run.
For inspiration, we say take a look at the Fiat Multipla (pictured above), which might be ugly, but it is the first four meter chassis vehicle that comfortably seats six. Its short length makes it easy to park in Europe's tight spaces and it has an optional natural gas powered engine. The Multipla is a highly under-rated vehicle. Italy's Fiat is unfortunately not as good at marketing as it is at innovation and design.
Read - >Face value | A healthier addiction (Economist.com)
Read - Billionaire green entrepreneurs; the sweet Loremo & SF's cleantech competition (Silicon Beat)
Posted on March 26, 2006 07:44 AM | Posted to Alternative Energy | Venture Capital | Permalink
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