ElectraMeccanica expands SOLO EV retail footprint into prominent Portland, Oregon suburb

ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp (NASDAQ: SOLO) announced Thursday that its latest SOLO electric vehicle retail location will draw crowds in suburban Portland, at Oregon’s well-known Washington Square Mall. The Vancouver-based firm is revving up the marketing of its all-electric SOLO, a three-wheeled single-passenger car by targeting key US West Coast markets which assiduously buy environmentally-friendly vehicles.        The September 1 opening will mark the company’s second retail outpost at a Macerich-owned property following its successful debut at Scottsdale, Arizona’s Fashion Square in June. In the first few weeks of operation, the SOLO has generated “strong visibility” from both word-of-mouth and foot traffic, said the company. READ: Roth Capital reiterates 'buy' rating and $7.50 price target for Electra Meccanica Washington Square Mall is located between the Tigard and Beaverton areas, 18 miles from downtown Portland. The 1.5 million square foot complex has seen a steady stream of shoppers since reopening after the coronavirus lockdown. Strategically positioned indoors in a high-visibility area alongside name-brand anchor stores, the new SOLO EV retail location is expected to grab the attention of around 13 million shoppers that visit the mall annually. “Our upcoming campaign in Portland directly aligns with our ongoing plan to open new, direct-to-consumer retail locations at higher-end shopping centers in EV-friendly cities,” said ElectraMeccanica Vehicles CEO Paul Rivera in a statement. “We appreciate the opportunity to deepen our relationship with Macerich after our stellar reception at Scottsdale’s Fashion Square and will look to continue our partnership as we bring the SOLO EV to more high-demand markets.” The ElectraMeccanica boss said that as states continue reopening, the electric car maker is pushing forward into “key west coast markets” like Portland, where it will be looking to benefit from the eco-friendly population and favorable rebate programs to continue to drive adoption of the SOLO. “In today’s uncertain climate, we remain dedicated to providing personal independence in a safe, secure and self-contained driving environment,” added Rivera. Oregon offers clean vehicle rebates  As part of the Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP), state residents can receive up to $2,500 per vehicle in rebates for the purchase of a SOLO EV. The CVRP is part of the Go Electric Oregon initiative, which aims to have at least 50,000 registered electric vehicles on Oregon roads by the end of 2020. Readers can scroll through a list of eligible vehicles by clicking here. ElectraMeccanica also currently maintains a SOLO EV storefront at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles with another location under contract at Westfield Fashion Square, a premier shopping center in Sherman Oaks, California. The carmaker said that as the Golden State begins to reopen, the company will pursue its planned rollout throughout the southern and northern regions in accordance with proper health and safety regulations. The SOLO boasts a top range of 100 miles and speeds of 82 miles per hour on a 17.3-kilowatt hour battery pack and sells for $16,250 – around half the price of a Tesla. The SOLO which is safe for highways is currently available for pre-orders.  Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive