Brazilian automotive company OBVIO ! announced that it will introduce electric cars based on its 828 and 012 microsport car designs for export to North America. OBVIO ! has a strategic partnership with publicly-owned California automobile distributor ZAP (http://www.zapworld.com), which has agreed to be the exclusive North American distributor and has pre-purchased 50,000 units. OBVIO ! said that gas-ethanol engines would power the initial versions of its 828 and 012 microcar designs, planned for production in 2007. But the 828E and 012E equipped with advanced electric drive systems will not be far behind, says OBVIO ! President Ricardo Machado. Targeting a price of $49,000 and $59,000 respectively, the cars will be capable of reaching a top speed exceeding 120 mph for a range of up to 200-240 miles per charge. A full recharge takes up to 5 hours for normal charging, or 2 hours with fast charging. The cars would be able to travel for 20 to 50 miles with just a 30-minute charge time. OBVIO !’s microsport cars are small enough to park two to a normal parking space, with room for three adult passengers and an innovative elliptical rings structural design derived from aeronautical crash management technology for enhanced safety. OBVIO ! Automotoveiculos S.A. is a new developer and manufacturer of high-safety and high-performance automobiles in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Under the direction of OBVIO !'s chief design partner, Anisio Campos, a former racing driver, OBVIO ! cars incorporate many state-of-the-art composite technologies, materials and features for urban cars. For more information, visit http://www.obviousa.com.