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randi
12-03-2008, 01:08 PM
The last two months has seen continued development of our concept to produce a vehicle for an entire new segment of the American transportation market. And as our work continues, so does the discussion and debate in Washington. My sense is that there is truly a desire for a new generation of mobility that will move past old ways of doing business and develop fresh, relevant, new transportation solutions. My belief continues to be that our venture is absolutely the right vehicle at the right time.

This is the first bit of news on which I’d like to provide an update. We are going to be changing the name of both our company and our vehicle. This is due to the fact that some other corporations have used derivations of the Venture name, and in order to maintain a clear and unchallenged position, we decided that now is the right time to introduce a new corporate name and vehicle identity.

Over the last few months, we’ve challenged ourselves to define a new identity that reflects our desire and work to define a new segment of urban transportation for the way America is living today….more aware, more responsible but no less passionate about the experience of driving and enjoying every mile of the trip.

Our new identity will be introduced on December 8 and I invite you to stay tuned to this site for all the details.

Next, I wanted to provide an update on financing. As you know it has been some time since our initial Series A investment. NGEN has continued to support the company financially over the past year, and now will begin to look at a follow-on round to fund the company through the critical pre-production development program. These are definitely challenging times to be fundraising, but this is a great product, as evidenced by your enthusiasm and the number of pre-registered purchasers on the website.

Now, here’s a brief update on our development program. Our team’s primary attention continues to focus on the arduous task of developing the chassis and powertrain. They are prioritizing the best sustainable advanced technology available with the least risk. In addition, hundreds of components and sub-systems are being evaluated with sourcing decisions being made to meet the important goal of delivering the highest quality ownership experience at our target price.

All of this is leading us to closing in on “freezing” the final production design. A full size exterior show model has been developed and the final interior design is nearing completion.

I have one last piece of important news. As we continue to organize our company, and evolve the concept, we recognize that we are defining a new class of vehicle for the urbanation of America. This is a vehicle with standout design and performance equally at home traveling in the carpool lane as it is carving through your favorite country road. It's as appropriate in the congested environment of the city as it is navigating traffic in the suburbs. It is a class of vehicle that literally doesn’t exist today so we have coined a new term for it, the Urban Life Vehicle (ULV). You will see us referring to our vehicle as a ULV in the future.

I would like to thank you again for your interest and reiterate my promise that we are working to develop a bold new path to future mobility. Your continued interest and support provides the vital fuel we need to get there. Keep those comments and thoughts coming.

Steve

Posted: 2008-12-03 10:45:33 # (http://flytheroad.com/blog/forums/topic.php?id=892&page=5#post-21439)

Miracleman89
12-03-2008, 01:32 PM
Hot Diggidy dog!!!! Now we are getting some where!!!

espresso_curve
12-03-2008, 02:28 PM
:whoohoo:woohoo! :whoohoo:This is an update I can actually be happy about. At least it sounds like we are getting close to being able to drive dr:ive1)and enjoy :burning:rubber:and not just imagine the V1 (or whatever they call it).

Jack Willard
12-03-2008, 03:06 PM
Wow randi, were you fast on this one or what?! =y:

It all sounds good, except for that ULV term. How about New Life Vehicle? Urban has nothing to do with nothing.

I live in the sticks (trees) far away from urban, for a reason. Urban stinks. =n: Suburban stinks too. 457gfhdfghd334 Trees are worth it!

Making a looooong commute much more FUN and considerably less expensive is why I'm here waiting patiently along with everyone else. band:ana1

Alright, quick, everybody guess what the new company name and vehicle name will be!

gath:er:2

Baja_Traveler
12-03-2008, 04:33 PM
Reminds me of the ULEV decal on the wifes Honda.

So long as it does not have a GM logo on it in the end (though I wouldn't be surprised - but then again those idiots are too short sighted to recognize a good idea).

You can call it anything you want - so long as I have one in my garage!

denisg
12-03-2008, 04:53 PM
Don't care what they call the vehicle or the company as long as one of them is mine.

TazmanianKoala
12-03-2008, 05:00 PM
This is really a nice update. I'm sure looking forward to next monday for the new name and company identity.
And eager at all pictures of the final design.
Even although it will be difficult to get one of the vehicles to Europe, I will keep following the evolution of the ULV. I believe in the concept.

Derwin
12-03-2008, 06:49 PM
Parts of what Steve has announced here is actually what Scot told me a while ago. The contract that he sent the club also contained the fact that the company name has changed.

Like some, I'm not too thrilled with the ULV name/classification either, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet! I really don't care what they call it.

Now just wait until December 8th! :whoohoo:

Derwin

PHEVadvocate
12-04-2008, 12:10 AM
I'm glad they are still active. I was thinking they were not going anywhere and would soon disappear.

Mike kZ
12-04-2008, 09:22 AM
Some good news! Hopefully we will know something on the 8th, but I'm not holding my breath. We all know their track record!

esoneson
12-04-2008, 03:35 PM
ULV........ahhhhh my Alma Mater
www.ulv.edu

Eric

longspeer
12-04-2008, 04:35 PM
The name is kinda weak but the progress report is pretty cool.

bananasunrise
12-04-2008, 08:13 PM
It was news I been waiting for many years. I been following this project from it started in Holland. ULV is perfect. In Norwegian this means WOLF, and this is what it will be on the road. I just waiting to buy this product and give it to my second home buyers in Thailand. Perfect for a tropical Island. Perfect for a tourist spot as Pattaya, Phuket or Hua Hin and I have projects everywhere. I will be ready when you are; anytime, anyplace, anywhere-Martini Time.
Helge, Banana Sunrise

Charles
12-05-2008, 05:39 AM
I think we're just so hungry for some new on the V1 that we get over excited when someone from the company shows us a little "carrot". What is in a name? This is such bull cr*p. For goodness sake let's have some real news about when it's going to be on the road. Maybe they need to employ some more engineers rather than salesman / ad men / spin doctors!!!! When ever there is an "update" I just see a lot of smoke and mirrors!!!! The Dagne team seems some much more honest, some that Ian seemed to be 2 years ago.

Derwin
12-05-2008, 08:19 AM
The Dagne team seems some much more honest, some that Ian seemed to be 2 years ago.

I have had personal phone conversations with one of the owners of Revolution Motors (Dagne), and he did seem to be an honest and forthright kind of guy. But I have also spoken with Ian Bruce on the phone, and he seems honest as well. As far as keeping the public informed of what is going on in either of their projects, I think Ian and the company have been more than generous with the information they have given us over the past 2 years. If you notice, the Dagne team does not give many updates, and they sure don't have an interactive forum like the one Ian Bruce and the company have created.

But I agree, we are all very anxious to hear more!

Derwin

waboom
12-05-2008, 11:25 AM
Well, hopefully when they announce the new name, there will be a revamp of the web site at the same time - new photos might be too much to ask for, but maybe some new graphical representations of the interior/exterior?