Bright Automotive shifting gears

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This machine is Flagship Enterprise's current dynamometer. "It's kind of like a treadmill for cars but a lot more complicated," said one spokes person for Flagship. The machine can measure engine outputs, as well as simulate various different types of terrain and conditions. THB Photo ' Aaron Piper

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July 10, 2010

$450M Dept. of Energy loan still possible

By Justin Schneider The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Sat Jul 10, 2010, 10:00 PM EDT

ANDERSON — A $450 million loan from the Department of Energy is still a possibility for Bright Automotive.

But regardless of the outcome of its application, the Anderson-based electric-car startup will continue to hone its business model to the marketplace. Recently that has meant cutting staff.

“We did have a reduction a few weeks ago,” said Dave Lauzun, executive vice president of vehicle programs. “We’re focusing on vehicle solutions while we continue to wait.”

Lauzun said Bright eliminated seven positions, including that of vice president of marketing and sales Lyle Shuey, reducing its total staff to 22 people. The company reported having 31 employees in August 2009.

Meanwhile, however, Bright has begun construction of its second advanced dynamometer, a high-tech tool for measuring vehicle performance, including fuel efficiency. Both include rollers that allow vehicles—including Bright’s hybrid-electric utility van, the Idea—to be tested while running in gear.

“We’ve been running three shifts on that, doing projects for other customers,” Lauzun said of the existing dynamometer. “We’re working on a Department of Defense contract, we’ve got two U.S. Postal vehicles in here and another project we’ve been doing for Duke Energy.”

While the first dynamometer is located inside the Bright headquarters at the Flagship Enterprise Center, the new version is being built in the parking lot outside. A sheltered walkway will connect the buildings. Construction of the new dynamometer is expected to reach completion in early September, Lauzun said.

Bright has applied for a $450 million low-interest loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to begin mass production of the Idea by 2012. The company was previously denied DOE grants of $17 million and $18 million.

In April 2009, Bright unveiled the Idea before members of congress in Washington, D.C. In February, Teno Villareal of the White House Auto Recovery Task Force visited the company and Lauzun said the company holds out hope that the loan will come through.

“We’re still very optimistic,” he said. “We can’t get a nailed-down timeline, but we’re still working through the process. I’m responsible for (working with the DOE), we have two to three touchpoints with them every week.”

Contact Justin Schneider: 640-4809, justin.schneider @heraldbulletin.com

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