ZAP: Former President of Pirelli Tire North America Asks Corporate America to "Walk the Talk"

ZAP: Former President of Pirelli Tire North America Asks Corporate America to "Walk the Talk"

ROME, GA., Jun 5, 2008 - Guy Mannino, former president and CEO of Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA), at least agrees with the current presidential candidates on one thing... it's time for a change. In his own words, Mannino is "calling on all retired and current CEOs of corporate America to join with me and just stop talking 'green' and start driving 'green'!"

"Now is the time for corporate America, as well as Federal, State and local governments, to take action and proclaim our independence from oil and gas," he continues. "Now is the time for electric vehicles that lower fuel costs, as well as combat pollution and global warming."

Strange for a man who has spent the better part of the past 25 years driving high-performance cars on road and track.

Mannino, a veteran executive with 28 years of international sales, marketing and manufacturing experience, has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rome and a Masters in e-Business. Mannino's career with Pirelli spanned three continents (Europe, South America and North America) where he managed multi-million-dollar investment projects, including site definitions for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centers. His tenure at PTNA was highlighted by skyrocketing sales and a strong brand image. In addition, Mannino developed outstanding relationships with state and local governments.

Mannino's commitment to "clean and green technology" is so strong that he left Pirelli last fall to found Verdek, a consulting and trading company with corporate headquarters in Rome and offices in Connecticut and Rome, Italy. Verdek-EV, the e-commerce division, was created to market and sell a line of ZAP electric vehicles and portable energy devices to help businesses and consumers become more efficient.

"We need to stop blaming the oil companies and start taking action ourselves," commented Mannino. "If every corporate fleet in America would make the decision to convert 20% of their fleets to electric, the impact would be significant and immediate."

Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) stands for 'Zero Air Pollution' and offers a full line of Xebra electric cars and trucks, Zapino scooters and off-road vehicles, as well as charging accessories.

"We fully agreed that the time is now to make the switch from gas to electric," said ZAP CEO Steven Schneider. "This is the easiest way to start saving money on gas and, at the same time, helping the environment."

"I have done the research and am convinced that the technology is here; the price point is right," states Mannino. "ZAP Xebras and the Zapino are truly cost-competitive alternatives that can meet a myriad of fleet and corporate applications today."

For more information about Verdek and Verdek-EV, please visit the tri-lingual (English, Spanish and Italian) web sites at www.Verdek.com and www.Verdek-EV.com. Photographs of Mannino and ZAP vehicles are available at http://www.zapworld.com.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, electric, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture called Detroit Electric to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group. Detroit Electric is developing a freeway capable electric vehicle called the ZAP Alias. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using lithium batteries. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ZAP is a featured Company on Investorideas.com Green portals, China portal and Tech portal.

For full details, click here: http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/CO/ZAAP/Default.asp

Contact:
Jack Gerken
Verdek
714-436-9900

Alex Campbell
ZAP
707-525-8658 x 241
acampbell@zapworld.com

Source: ZAP