Green car prototype unveiled at banquet

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - A different kind of guest was invited to the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet in Bay Minette. It was a "green" car that HK Motors officials hope will soon be a staple on the roads all across the Gulf Coast.

"The thrill of the unveiling is the future. The thrill is innovative technology," said Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery.

The car is a prototype of the Hybrid Kinetic Motors vehicle that is scheduled to be manufactured just outside of the city. The company showed off it's first vehicle in the U.S. earlier this week in Montgomery. Tillery said the plant's future is bright.

"We are talking careers. Opportunities for our young people, so families can build and grow here," Tillery said.

HK Motors is still in the process of raising $1.5 billion. State leaders will not negotiate incentives until HK has a sizeable portion of that money. CEO C.T. Wang is confident that will happen and there will be a groundbreaking.

"It will be this year," said Wang.

He said this is an introductory to the "green" economy or lifestyle.

"We bring green jobs. Jobs that will last for a long, long time," Wang said.

Leaders are aiming for an April groundbreaking. The plant promises an estimated 5,000 jobs.