WINTERSVILLE - It's about 4 feet tall, weighs about 660 pounds and earned the attention of the governor and the associate chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission Wednesday morning.

The Snyder XT-1 is a prototype of Wildfire Motors' next planned vehicle, different not only in its approach to fuel savings and cost savings but also in its approach to Wildfire's manufacturing. Owner Don Snyder plans to produce the components of the vehicle in Jefferson County, not just assemble parts made in China as is done with other Wildfire vehicles.

Gov. Ted Strickland was accompanied by Earl F. Gohl, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Both men climbed into the diminutive green car and talked with Snyder about its capabilities. Snyder said he'll need financial assistance to take his company to the next level, and that's where Strickland, Gohl and Fred Deel, director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, who also was on the visit, come in.

Strickland said projects such as helping Wildfire are what the ARC is all about.

"The Appalachian part of our country has suffered in recent decades with a lack of development," he said. The origins of the ARC were in recognition by the federal government that there needed to be a special agency to help with infrastructure and other needs in the region to foster development.

Strickland said he was accompanying Gohl to places such as Wildfire to show him the "good work that's been done" to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Gohl said, "The key to our success has been working with great leaders like the governor, who are fulfilling the hopes and dreams of the people in Appalachia."

Gohl said the ARC was established to respond and work in partnership with governors on their priorities.

"If you look at the projects that governors support all through Appalachia, it really provided the means for people to fulfill their hopes and dreams, and to create jobs," he said.

Gohl said the ARC is always considering future requests and for priorities and to be flexible and creative to help create jobs.

Gohl said the first priority is, pointing to Strickland, "that it's important to him. If it's important to him, it's important to us."

Strickland responded, "If it's jobs, it's important to me."

Strickland said fuel efficient and electric vehicles are extremely important in the wake of the Gulf BP spill, to create a nation that is not entirely dependent on fossil fuels.

"Fossil fuels will be a part of our energy going forward, there's no doubt about that, but we have got to look toward new sources of energy," he said. "Electric vehicles must be a huge part of that new energy approach. That's why we're excited about what's happening right here in Appalachian Ohio, with this company."

Snyder wants to develop a highly automated assembly process, including body and chassis manufacture for the XT-1. He recalled that when he owned a business that made remote car starters, years before they became optional on new cars, he had 110 workers who could knock out thousands of units in a week, thanks to automated assembly. He envisions the same kind of impact with robots on the car assembly line.

The car could sell for about $6,900, though Snyder said dropping the price, through efficient assembly, to $4,900 could mean it's got unlimited potential.

Snyder envisions the lightweight vehicle as being capable of making it from Wintersville to Columbus on a gallon and a half of fuel. A low-powered gasoline engine model will be able to reach 65 mph, while a higher-performance model would have a 36-horsepower engine and a better power-to-weight ratio than a Honda Accord, according to John Turizano, director of future product development. The chassis for an electric prototype also was available for Strickland to view. That vehicle is innovative in having no moving parts in its motor. The motor is integral with the rear hub.

Wildfire is working on an air conditioning and heating system for its vehicles that would be an all-electric heat pump, like those used in homes. Presently, Wildfire electric vehicles do not have air conditioning available. Snyder said as a three-wheeler, the car would be licensed as a motorcycle, but he plans to include seat belts, a roll bar and a front airbag as safety equipment.

Strickland, Gohl and Deal and their staffs spent about 90 minutes touring Wildfire, looking over the line of scooters, off-road vehicles and taking turns riding an electric moped with the hub motor that is similar to the concept for the electric version of the Snyder XT-1. They also viewed solar panel systems and wind power units available through Wildfire.

Turizani explained the production would be ramped up in two phases, starting with steel-framed vehicles. Eventually, a full polymer-framed chassis and injection molding process would be at work at Wildfire, about two years after production started.

Snyder said production could reach 10 a day within six or eight months after financial assistance for the assembly line is available.

Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance, said he's been working with Snyder and Iten Industries of Ashtabula on possible development of the plastic body components.

(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)

EFFICIENCY EXPLAINED - Don Snyder, owner of Wildfire Motors, stands outside the prototype of his Snyder XT-1 and explains its potential 100-mpg efficiency to Gov. Ted Strickland during the governor's visit to the Wildfire plant in the Jefferson County Industrial Park Wednesday morning.  Snycer is hoping to be able to find assistance to establish a full assembly line, with locally made components and employees, for the vehicle.

Gov. Ted Strickland prepares to coimb into the prototype of the lightweight, fuel-efficient Snyder XT-1at Wildfire Motors in the Jefferson County Induystrial Park during a visit Wednesday morning.