Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Detroit Electric Car to Return After 100 Years

JINHUA, CHINA and SANTA ROSA, CA – U.S. electric car pioneer ZAP and China Youngman Automotive Group are reviving the 100-year-old electric car brand Detroit Electric for their automotive joint venture.

by Staff
February 8, 2008
2 min to read


JINHUA, CHINA and SANTA ROSA, CA – U.S. electric car pioneer ZAP and China Youngman Automotive Group are reviving the 100-year-old electric car brand Detroit Electric for their automotive joint venture. Detroit Electric will bring new vehicle technologies to market by 2009, as well as the possibility of bringing new manufacturing and green collar jobs to California.

Detroit Electric plans to introduce its first electric cars and buses in 2009. The ZAP Alias, which is under development for the joint venture, will be one of several vehicles being planned to carry the Detroit Electric brand. ZAP is planning a presentation on Detroit Electric for North American auto dealers at NADA 2008.

Ad Loading...

Management will be opening offices in California and evaluating manufacturing opportunities for economic development within the state.

Detroit Electric plans to build an array of cars, trucks, and buses with the latest automotive technologies. The vehicles will be manufactured under the supervision of Youngman Automotive, one of China’s newest automotive manufacturers and a leading manufacturer of buses and trucks. Youngman is a government-sanctioned, private holding company with 12 manufacturing subsidiaries. Youngman is expanding its manufacturing in China, which covers an area of more than 4 million square feet. With seven new production facilities in process, Youngman expects to soon have the capacity to produce 200,000 vehicles per year, including more than 10,000 buses annually.

ZAP will manage the sales, marketing, and distribution of the joint venture products. ZAP is selling a full-line of electric vehicles through a growing number of dealerships in the United States. ZAP is also organizing international distribution for its current and future vehicles.

For more information about Detroit Electric, visit http://www.detroit-electric.com.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Small Fleet

SponsoredMarch 9, 2026

Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections

AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

How One Fleet Cut Motor Pool Costs by $45K With Smarter Key Control and Automation

Still managing your motor pool with spreadsheets and manual approvals? Loyola University replaced outdated processes with automated fleet management, eliminating overtime and saving up to $50,000 annually. See how they did it.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

Artificial Intelligence in Field Service: North America

48% of field service leaders are investing in AI to manage customer communication and self-service. Get the latest on how fleets are using AI and thinking about the future.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyFebruary 4, 2026

Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries

There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 14, 2026

It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report

What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.

Read More →
Wreaths Across America graphic highlighting the role of small fleets in delivering wreaths to honor veterans, featuring wreath icons and the American flag.
Small Fleetby Lauren FletcherDecember 8, 2025

Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America

Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A stressed person covers their face, illustrating that 65% of small fleet managers handle all operations alone, according to a Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) survey.
Small Fleetby StaffNovember 12, 2025

VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone

A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.

Read More →
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safetyby StaffOctober 20, 2025

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
VMS Co-CEO David Prusinski highlights the company’s AI-powered virtual fleet manager designed to improve uptime and reduce operating costs for fleets.
Green Fleetby Lauren FletcherOctober 6, 2025

AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski

VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of tire tracks and winter scenes.
Small FleetMay 24, 2025

Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!

Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.

Read More →