An early EV Disappointment.
New for the 2012 model year, the Coda EV was among the first affordable modern-era American-market electric vehicles. The short-lived compact car was imported by the American startup Coda Automotive.
What Was The Coda EV?
Coda Automotive
The Coda EV arrived on the scene shortly after the Tesla Model S did, but saw far less success.
Headquartered in Los Angeles and spun off from low-speed EV maker Miles Electric Vehicles, Coda Automotive partnered with Chinese automaker Hafei, a partnership which disappointed shareholders and industry enthusiasts alike.
Chinese Connection
The Coda was essentially a rebadged and electrified version of the Hafei Saibao III, a car based on a Mitsubishi Lancer platform from the Nineties. It started as a “glider” (body and chassis without powertrain) built in China under claimed Coda supervision. Final assembly, including installation of the electric motor and battery, happened at a facility in Benicia, California.
Product Development
This arrangement suggests more Coda product development than actually took place, however, as the off-the-shelf drivetrain components installed in the Coda were also sourced from China. Initially, Coda had promised to build an all-new electric vehicle designed and developed in-house. However, cost issues and development snags resulted in Coda simply importing an electric vehicle from China, though, as noted above, some production took place in the U.S.
Design
The exterior design was bland and conventional, and a little out of date. The Coda was roughly the size of a Chevrolet Cobalt, with no dramatic EV styling cues. Offered only as a sedan, the Coda seated five passengers, though for comfort’s sake, four was the practical limit.
2012 Coda EV Specs
Powertrain
Front-wheel drive with a permanent-magnet electric motor producing 100 kW (134 horsepower) and 221 pound-feet of torque. A single-speed automatic transmission was standard.
Battery
31 kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range
EPA-rated at 88 miles
Performance
Most period test-evaluations saw 0-60 mph times of around 9.5 seconds.
Charging
Standard 6.6-kWh “level-2”, or wall-outlet 110-volt “level-1”
Base Price
$38,145 (about $55,000 in current dollars)
Private Funding
Coda raised roughly $300 million in private funding, but struggled with high costs, a long production ramp-up, limited distribution, and consumer hesitation toward an unknown brand selling a Chinese-derived EV at a premium price.
Nissan Leaf
Worse, the all-electric Nissan Leaf came online at approximately the same time, offering roughly the same performance as the Coda, but a lower price. The Leaf also came with the security of a proven dealer network.
Production (Sales Figures)
Best estimates put the total number of Codas sold at 117 units, making the car among the rarest of failed U.S.-market electric vehicles. All Codas were 2012 model year. By comparison, the Fisker Ocean was positively popular.
Value today
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 1, 2013 Assets of the company were later acquired by other entities including a company called Mullen Technologies. A Coda recently put up for auction failed to draw any bids. Enthusiast interest in this electric rarity is likely tempered by limited parts availability and support of any kind.
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2012 Coda EV Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
