•High-Tech Incubator Taps Connectivity and Telematics Expert to Drive EEA of New Global BEV Platform

•New Chief Engineer Will Help Karma Advance Connectivity, Telematics and Electronic Technologies

•Brand Continues to Attract Blue-Chip Engineering Expertise as it Grows to Become a Technology-Forward Company

IRVINE, Calif. (Sep 10, 2019) – Julia Zhang, an accomplished expert in electric vehicle connectivity and telematics platforms, has joined Southern California-based Karma Automotive, the creator of luxury electric vehicles and high-tech incubator, as Chief Engineer, Electrical and Software to help lead the design of the electrical and electronic vehicle architecture (EEA) for the company's next-generation products.

Prior to joining Karma, Zhang developed complete EEA strategies and roadmaps for Aikar Technology, a Southern California-based mobility start up, and BJEV, the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group, where she served as Chief Engineer, Vehicle EE System Integration. As an EV Telematics VRM Manager Kia Motors America, Zhang developed and delivered the company's first embedded modem telematics platform for electric vehicles. She has also held similar electrical and software engineering positions at Coda Automotive, Enova Systems, Motorola and Garmin.

'Julia brings the kind of engineering rigor Karma needs to advance the connectivity, telematics and electronics development of our next-generation luxury electric vehicle platform,' said Karma CEO Dr. Lance Zhou. 'At its core, this role is about integration and the ability to drive product development within and through the entire design engineering and production flow process.'

Zhang comes to Karma at a critical time in the company's five-year history as it prepares to launch the new 2020 Revero GT luxury electric vehicle, on sale now with deliveries expected during Q4, followed by Project e-Klipse, a multi variant global BEV platform whose first model is expected to be delivered in 2021. The Revero GT is driven by two electric motors powered features a Twin Power Turbo three-cylinder in-line engine supplied by BMW AG to power an on-board electric generator and enhance overall vehicle performance. With an MPGe rating of 71 miles, the Revero GT offers an overall driving range of up to 360 miles, with 80 miles of emissions-free all electric driving powered by a 28kWh NMC lithium-ion battery.

'As a technology-forward business and high-tech incubator, Karma is more than just a car company,' said Zhang who reports to Bob Kruse, Karma's Chief Technology Officer, and Chuck Russell, Karma's Senior Vice President of Vehicle Programs.

'Karma is the perfect environment for any engineer looking to reinvent the luxury mobility experience and influence complex systems design,' she added. 'I look forward to helping my colleagues here foster deep relationships between the company's strong engineering resources, executive leadership, and the program management organization.'