Local Motors Names Nicholas Cole as Senior VP of Sales

PHOENIX, Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Local Motors by LM Industries Group Inc., known for 3D-Printed mobility solutions, has named Nicholas Cole as its new Senior Vice President of Sales. A veteran of the transit industry, Cole will lead the company's sales operations with an acute focus on ushering in autonomous mobility products for commercial adoption.

Cole, who serves as a highly-respected industry consultant, most recently led expansion and transformation efforts for Avis Budget Group's Zipcar International, a station-based, car-sharing network introduced in Europe, Middle East and Asia. Based in London at the time, Cole developed a franchise model to allow Zipcar to expand into emerging markets, and he facilitated partnerships with local governments and businesses to introduce the car-sharing service into new markets.

"Nicholas understands mobility without a doubt, but beyond that, he has a global mindset that can only be gained from the experience he's had introducing new transit options around the world," Jay Rogers, CEO and co-founder of Local Motors, said. "The autonomous technology we are developing at Local Motors is in the hands of a highly-qualified and incredibly experienced ambassador eager to debut it on a world stage."

Cole's mobility experience extends beyond his role with Avis Budget Group. He spent several years with Daimler N.A. Corporation, launching a start-up, car-sharing division known as Car2go. The on-demand free-floating network of 10,000 vehicles provided point-to-point transit options for 700,000 users worldwide.  He also has over a decade of experience with Daimler's commercial vehicle business.

"On the surface, Local Motors is a vehicle manufacturing company," Cole said. "When you look a little closer, we are really bringing a new transit solution to the mobility world. Our product is much more than a vehicle, the technology that goes into our autonomous shuttle is truly next level. It is very exciting to be part of the future of mobility and I look forward to bringing the experience of our mobility solution to people around the world."

Cole, who will be based in Austin, TX, will focus predominantly on bringing Olli, the self-driving shuttle Local Motors has developed, to the commercial market. Olli, which employs a responsive cognitive function and a Robotic Research-developed autonomous drive system, is an environmentally-friendly vehicle designed to change the future of mobility. A safe and efficient shuttle, Olli is a viable and sustainable transportation option for cities, companies, hospitals, campuses, stadiums, entertainment districts and any other location where people need to move from one place to another.

Cole joins Local Motors as it continues its global fleet challenge for Olli, which asks designated regions to suggest best-use scenarios for the self-driving shuttle.

About Local Motors
Local Motors by LM Industries Group Inc. is a ground mobility company focused on shaping the future for the better. Founded in 2007 with a belief in open collaboration and co-creation, Local Motors began low volume vehicle manufacturing of open-source designs using multiple microfactories. Since inception, Local Motors has debuted no less than three world firsts; the world's first co-created vehicle, the world's first 3D-printed car and the world's first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicle, Olli. We believe that Olli is the answer to a sustainable, accessible transportation solution for all.

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SOURCE Local Motors