Friday, October 15, 2010

V-Vehicle Becomes Next Autoworks Company, Hires New CEO

San Diego-based V-Vehicle, the alternative auto company backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers LLP, Google Ventures, L.P., T. Boone Pickens, and others, said this week that it has renamed itself the Next Autoworks Company, and has appointed a new CEO. The firm--which had been thrown into turmoil March when the U.S. Department of Energy rejected a package of federal loans for the firm--said it has named Kathleen Ligocki as its new CEO. V-Vehicle had been headed by Kleiner Perkins' Ray Lane, after replacing its former CEO in April, shortly after the DOE rejection. Ligocki has previously served as CEO of Tower Automotive and GS Motors, as well as served at Ford Motor Company. GS Motors is the auto business of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. Lane returns to his role as Chairman of the Board with the new appointment.

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