The following announcement immediately preceded a large new investment (see: Zero Motorcycles, Inc. Gets $26 Million Investment) and the retirement of Zero's CEO, Gene Banman (see: Gene Banman, Zero Motorcycles’ Long-time CEO Retires)
It immediately followed: ZERO MOTORCYCLES ANNOUNCES THE ZERO XU AS SURPRISE FIFTH ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE MODEL FOR 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ZERO MOTORCYCLES FOUNDER LEAVES COMPANY TO ENTER THE SKIORSKY COMPETITION
-- Investors and Employees Grateful for Neal Saiki’s Effort to Successfully Launch Zero Motorcycles Inc. --
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., (March 8, 2011) – Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry today announced that its founder, Neal Saiki, is leaving his daily operational responsibilities for the company. He will be re-entering the Igor I. Sikorski Human Powered Helicopter Competition, which Neal first pursued at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as an aeronautical engineering student in 1989. Neal and his wife, Lisa, founded Zero Motorcycles Inc. (then called Electricross) in their garage in Scotts Valley, Calif., in January of 2006. Now, five years later, the company has built a strong management team, an employee base of over 60 people and has just announced the industry’s broadest line of electric motorcycles for 2011.
“Neal had the vision, the talent and the courage to launch an electric motorcycle company before there really was an electric motorcycle industry, or even a market. His vision and hard work have helped make Zero the industry leader,” stated long-time Zero Motorcycles Board Member, Aflalo Guimarães, Managing Director of The Invus Group, Zero’s largest investor. “We are grateful to Neal and will continue to rely on his vision and counsel.” Zero Motorcycles is also a corporate sponsor of Neal’s entry into the competition.
Zero Motorcycles has added several industry veterans to its management team over the past year and is well positioned to execute the vision with which Neal launched the company. “Founding Zero was exciting, fun and a lot of hard work. At this point, I think it is well established. I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve assembled to carry Zero into the future. I can now move on to pursuing the dream of building a human powered flying machine,” stated Neal.
About Zero Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles is committed to transforming the motorcycling experience by bringing to market highly innovative electric motorcycles that offer exceptional value and performance. Zero is powered by innovation, driven by passion, guided by integrity and measured by results. Through extensive research, insight and experience, Zero combines the art and science of motorcycle development to create and manufacture products that excite consumers and inspire brand loyalty. Zero is determined to be the preeminent global electric motorcycle company.
FOR MEDIA: For more information, contact (951) 719-1040 or media [at] zeromotorcycles.com.
For press information, videos and photos go to http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/press.
For more information on Zero Motorcycles or to learn more about its complete motorcycle line including the Zero S, Zero DS, Zero XU, Zero MX and Zero X motorcycles, visit: http://www.zeromotorcycles.com.
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