Feb 13 2009 23 mins
Diamonds Are Forever
Fast cars, armed agents and the hardest substance on earth. Sounds like a recap of the celebrated James Bond novel & film about smuggled diamonds. Well, you may be surprised to learn those are also descriptors of a new American car company called Carbon Motors. The corporation, which uses a diamond (as in carbon) for its logo, actually bills itself a "homeland security" company because that's closer to the product it's producing: the world's first purpose-built police car. The E7 -- as it’s called -- is not some retro-fitted OEM mass produced model but an original design low production vehicle that law enforcement professionals around the world are clamoring for.
On this week's show John McElroy goes one-on-one with the auto industry veteran who is a hit in police departments from Miami to Madrid, William Santana Li, the Chairman & CEO of Carbon Motors. During the show Mr. Li discusses everything from the rationale of creating a new car company from scratch, to its challenges and benefits as well. But he not only talks about this unique car, we all get a chance to see it up close and personal, too. Mr. Li takes John to one of the E7's nationwide "Tour Stops," this one at the auto supplier BASF, to get a first hand look at what many believe is a law enforcement game-changer.
Fast cars, armed agents and the hardest substance on earth. Sounds like a recap of the celebrated James Bond novel & film about smuggled diamonds. Well, you may be surprised to learn those are also descriptors of a new American car company called Carbon Motors. The corporation, which uses a diamond (as in carbon) for its logo, actually bills itself a "homeland security" company because that's closer to the product it's producing: the world's first purpose-built police car. The E7 -- as it’s called -- is not some retro-fitted OEM mass produced model but an original design low production vehicle that law enforcement professionals around the world are clamoring for.
On this week's show John McElroy goes one-on-one with the auto industry veteran who is a hit in police departments from Miami to Madrid, William Santana Li, the Chairman & CEO of Carbon Motors. During the show Mr. Li discusses everything from the rationale of creating a new car company from scratch, to its challenges and benefits as well. But he not only talks about this unique car, we all get a chance to see it up close and personal, too. Mr. Li takes John to one of the E7's nationwide "Tour Stops," this one at the auto supplier BASF, to get a first hand look at what many believe is a law enforcement game-changer.