SANTA MONICA, CA- CODA Automotive, a California-based all-electric car and battery company, hired David Funston as vice president, Fleet and Commercial Sales. Funston is charged with marketing the all-electric CODA sedan to commercial fleet customers including institutions, corporations and municipalities.

"The CODA sedan is a practical and affordable option for commercial fleet managers interested in reducing and stabilizing fixed energy costs while improving the carbon footprint of their organizations," said Kevin Czinger, president and CEO, CODA Automotive. "We are confident that David's extensive network and industry knowledge will help CODA to significantly impact this important market."

An automotive industry veteran, Funston has more than two decades of experience in fleet sales development, vehicle remarketing, distribution, logistics and business management. Prior to joining CODA Automotive, David was president of Funston Fleet Services, Inc. a fleet sales and vehicle remarketing consultancy that he founded and operated since 2002. In this capacity, David served as a consultant to OEMs, dealer groups and fleet accounts with a focus on fleet sales development and used vehicle remarketing. 

"The opportunity to join a company reinventing every facet of the automotive industry from engineering to sales and marketing is truly exciting," said Funston. "As fleet managers recognize the practical and economic benefits of all-electric vehicles, namely a significant reduction in total cost of ownership, demand from this segment will quickly increase."

Before founding Funston Fleet Services, David was the executive manager, Fleet and Remarketing at American Isuzu Motors. At Isuzu, Funston was instrumental in developing and implementing a strategic fleet plan that resulted in significant improvements in Isuzu's fleet operations profitability while yielding an increase in used vehicle residual values. Prior to Isuzu, Funston spent a decade with Hyundai Motor America in numerous management positions culminating in him overseeing nationwide fleet sales, remarketing operations, distribution and production planning as National Manager, Fleet, Remarketing and Distribution. Funston also held field service positions with Chevrolet Motor Division earlier in his career. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Southern California.   

About CODA Automotive:  Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., CODA Automotive is working to reduce dependence on oil and leading the way to a cleaner future by building 100% electric cars and transportation battery systems. CODA Automotive is working in a smart, interdependent way with a number of leading global technology and manufacturing companies to quickly and efficiently bring electric drive technology to market and jump start the electric car movement. Through its exclusive transportation and electric utility storage battery joint venture with Lishen Power Battery, CODA Automotive is also a leading designer and large-scale manufacturer of power battery systems. CODA Automotive is slated to begin delivering its all-electric car in the fourth quarter of this year and anticipates that it can deliver more than 14,000 vehicles to customers by the end of 2011.