Latest Obvio! Stories

By Todd Benson SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - When a little-known company from California placed a $1 billion order for Smart minicars from DaimlerChrysler last spring, the struggling auto giant said thanks, but no thanks. So the company, an environment-conscious alternative vehicles distributor called ZAP, went shopping, and found what it was looking for -- in Brazil. There, a small start-up called Obvio! was busy developing a sporty and economical minicar for export. Desperate for...

By Todd BensonSAO PAULO, Brazil -- When a little-known company from California placed a $1 billion order for Smart minicars from DaimlerChrysler last spring, the struggling auto giant said thanks, but no thanks.So the company, an environment-conscious alternative vehicles distributor called ZAP, went shopping, and found what it was looking for -- in Brazil. There, a small start-up called Obvio! was busy developing a sporty and economical minicar for export.Desperate for lucrative minicar...