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FACEOFF: Was the Senate health care bill a “win’ for Obama? - Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Wadena family to expand appliance business - Park Rapids Enterprise
Kandi Technologies, Corp. Forges Strategic Alliance With Major - MSN Money

Posted: 04 Jan 2010 09:18 AM PST

(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) STOCK MARKETING INC PRESENTS : (OTCBB: BRGO) Bergio International, Inc., (OTCBB: IDOI) IDO Security, Inc., (NASDAQ: QLGC) QLogic Corp., (NASDAQ: KNDI) Kandi Technologies Corp., (NASDAQ: MBWM) Mercantile Bank Corp., (NASDAQ: FSYS) Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc.

www.StockMarketingInc.com To sign up for our free Profiles & Alerts :: visit http://www.StockMarketingInc.com email us!! info@StockMarketingInc.com or call 1-866-583-8960 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (OTCBB: BRGO - Bergio International, Inc.) LATEST NEWS!! Bergio Launches 3 New Design Collections for 2010 FAIRFIELD, N.J., Jan 04, 2010 -- Bergio International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BRGO) Berge Abajian, CEO and Designer of Bergio International, Inc. announces today 3 new distinctive collections providing more rareness and value to the existing cutting edge designer lines.

"Our Power of Pink Collection in 2008 was a success, a modest revenue increase; the Safari Collection in 2009 successfully captured consumers throughout the country looking for that distinctive one of a kind design with values of $250K or more, substantially increased revenues. Launching our 3 new collections will provide a menagerie of exclusivity to the consumer while enhancing the value of our existing collections. Our 3 new lines: Cestino Collection, Foglie Collection and Byzantine Collection, will offer brilliant designs valued at $500K and more enabling us to capture consumers around the world. Adding these collections will positively impact our revenues," stated Berge Abajian, CEO of Bergio International, Inc.

About Bergio International, Inc.

Bergio is entering into its 20th year of operations and concentrates on boutique, upscale jewelry stores. It currently sells its jewelry to approximately 150 independent jewelry retailers across the United States. Bergio has spent millions in branding the Bergio brand through tradeshows, trade advertising, national advertising and billboard advertising since launching the line in 1995. Bergio has manufacturing control over its line as a result of having a manufacturing facility in New Jersey as well as subcontracts with facilities in Italy and Bangkok.

We have established Bergio International as a holding company for the purpose of acquiring well-established jewelry design and manufacturing firms who possess branded product lines.

Additionally, Bergio intends to acquire design and manufacturing firms throughout the United States and Europe. If and when they pursue any potential acquisition candidates, they intend to target the top 10% of the world's jewelry manufactures that have already created an identity and brand in the jewelry industry.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (OTCBB: IDOI - IDO Security, Inc.) LATEST NEWS!! IDO Security Announces Successful Completion of 2nd Round Testing for New MagShoe(TM) Model TEL AVIV, ISRAEL, Jan 04, 2010 -- IDO Security, Inc. (OTCBB: IDOI), developer of the innovative MagShoe(TM) "shoes-on" weapons metal detection system, announced today that the new, upgraded MagShoe(TM) models have successfully completed the second round of testing.

The new upgraded models, scheduled to be launched in March 2010, have successfully completed the second round of tests that included field tests in a live environment. The field tests were conducted in Tel Aviv, Israel and Vienna, Austria and were completed successfully.

IDO Security CEO, Michael Goldberg, stated, "The recent bombing attempt on flight 253 to Detroit demonstrated the urgency in introducing the new models to the market. We have seen once again that Terrorists are focusing on the lower part of the body to conceal weapons and explosive devices and that in most cases some form of metal is present as a part of the explosive device, in this case a syringe which contained metal." Mr. Goldberg further stated, "The new MagShoe models, with their multi-zone detection capabilities, have a much higher detection area to enable it to detect exactly in these 'problematic areas,' where detection is more difficult. We expect to have the first deployments of the new MagShoe models during the second half of 2010." Click here to view a Social Media version of this release.

Click here to visit the IDO Security Social Media Newsroom.

About IDO Security: Headquartered in New York with a subsidiary in Israel, IDO Security designs, develops and markets the patented, UL-certified MagShoe(TM) weapons metal detection system. MagShoe(TM) fills a critical void in today's metal detectors by extending screening to the lower body and feet. MagShoe's unique "shoes-on" design maximizes security, thoroughness and accuracy while eliminating the need to remove shoes for increased convenience and safety. Ideal for security and loss prevention at virtually any facility, MagShoe(TM) is currently in use at international airports, cruise lines, government agencies, prisons and more. Visit the IDO Security Website at www.idosecurityinc.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (NASDAQ: QLGC - QLogic Corp.) LATEST NEWS!! QLogic Executives to Present at 12th Annual Needham Growth Conference ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Jan 4, 2010 -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced that QLogic senior executives will present at the following investor conference in January: * 12th Annual Needham & Company, LLC Growth Conference Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time The New York Palace, New York City The event can be accessed through live and archived webcasts via the QLogic website at http://ir.qlogic.com.

Follow QLogic @ twitter.com/qlogic About QLogic QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a global leader and technology innovator in high performance networking, including adapters, switches and ASICs. Leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide rely on QLogic products for their data, storage and server networking solutions. QLogic is a NASDAQ Global Select company and is included in the S&P 500. For more information, visit www.qlogic.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (NASDAQ: KNDI - Kandi Technologies Corp.) LATEST NEWS!! Kandi Technologies, Corp. Forges Strategic Alliance With Major Energy, IT and Battery Companies to Help Launch New Electronic Vehicle (EV) Era in China Innovative Open Architecture Business Model for Mass Adoption of EVs Reduces EV Purchase Costs, Eliminates Battery Maintenance Concerns and Substantially Increases Driving Ranges JINHUA, CHINA, Jan 04, 2010 -- Kandi Technologies, Corp. (NASDAQ: KNDI) today announced it has formed a strategic alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. -- a joint venture of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China Potevio Co. -- and Tianneng Power International, Ltd., aimed at speeding up the commercialization and achieving mass adoption of Pure Electronic Vehicles (Pure EVs) in China. Working together with government support, the companies believe they are the first in China with an innovative automotive transportation business model that provides a comprehensive solution to overcome current obstacles to an oil free future.

Within the Alliance, formally named "Alliance for Chinese Electric Vehicle Development and Commercialization," Kandi -- an established China-based leader in the design and manufacture of all terrain recreational vehicles and developer of the "COCO," a battery powered low-speed vehicle for casual driving -- expects to design and manufacture electric cars with patented (and patent pending) technology that permits easy battery removal and replacement, which is central to the new open architecture business model.

Mr. Xiaoming Hu, Chairman and CEO of Kandi, who spearheaded the new Alliance, stated, "We now have a core group of highly competent, like minded companies, with backing from the government who see the future of transportation in China -- zero emission vehicles powered by electricity that will decisively improve China's environment and help free us from dependence on foreign oil. Kandi is privileged to be part of this group which, among other things, we believe will help solidify our leadership in building and marketing electric vehicles." Mr. Hu continued, "While auto companies around the world are racing to create and sell EVs, it is widely recognized that the key 'bottlenecks' to creating a mass market for battery powered vehicles include their relatively short driving ranges, high costs, long charging times and limited facilities for recharging. These are hurdles our Alliance believes can be overcome with an open architecture strategy which we aim to implement over time with government cooperation on a city by city basis throughout China. Our initial test city will be Jinhua City with a population of nearly five million in one of China's most economically advanced regions and where Kandi is headquartered. To our knowledge, if we are successful, Jinhua will be the first city in China with a comprehensive model EV transportation system in place." The New EV Business Model The new EV business model of the Alliance focuses on the specific transportation needs of China's rapidly growing urban centers and an anticipated high degree of government cooperation. Some of the current key elements of the model include: -- Building a comprehensive network of EV "battery stations" throughout each city for one-stop battery charging, replacement, recycling and rental -- Powering the battery stations with a centralized industrial "battery charging farm" in each city that can optimize electrical usage and costs -- Selling affordable pure electrical cars without batteries -- equipped, however, with Kandi's patented (and patent pending) technology for easy battery removal and replacement -- Making traditional batteries available on a lifetime, maintenance free rental basis -- and replacing, maintaining, and recycling them at the battery stations -- Obtaining government support not only in the form of subsidies for car ownership, but also for operational requirements such as permits for battery station construction and operation -- Reflecting the fact that most commuting in China is intra-city, covering relatively short distances, the model will be tested initially in Jinhua City and then in other mid-size cities. Expansion would be via the existing network of Alliance partners or by duplicating the model with other new partners.

Removing All Key Obstacles To Success The advantages of this model to drivers of EVs are clear, starting first and foremost with the purchase price of their cars, which will be much lower without batteries, and with anticipated government subsidies. Further, they will never have to worry about owning, maintaining or disposal of their batteries. Significantly, they also will have no worries about safely driving too far away anywhere within or just outside their city limits. Over time, driving ranges will expand as the model is expanded to neighboring cities and regions.

For Alliance partners, the key revenue stream will be revenues from the battery stations, which will operate in a "green" and efficient mode on energy supplied by the battery charging farm. Scale up in revenues will occur as EV usage and sales expand and more battery stations are built in new cities.

Alliance Members (in addition to Kandi) Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power Ltd. is a joint venture between China Potevio Co. Ltd. Group and China National Offshore Oil Corporation or CNOOC. China Potevio Co. Ltd. is one of the largest state owned enterprises in China which focuses on IT equipment and service. China National Offshore Oil Corporation, is China's largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas and one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world. The Group mainly engages in oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and sales. The Potevio/CNOOC joint venture strives to develop and to invest in alternative energy technology in China.

Tianneng Power International, Ltd. and its subsidiaries is one of China's largest battery producers which engages in producing and selling lead-acid motive battery for electric bikes, Ni-MH batteries and lithium battery products. The Group also has entered the fields of solar and wind energy storage batteries as of 2009.

Mr. Hu commented further, "Our new Alliance is committed to the success of its revolutionary business model on a large scale over time. Nevertheless, while many of the key elements for such success are in place, there are still several key issues to be resolved. In the weeks and months ahead, I'm sure each member, including Kandi, will be providing periodic updates and new details on the progress of the Alliance, as we work diligently to bring to fruition what we believe will be one of the most important chapters in the commercialization of electric vehicles in China." About the Company Kandi Technologies, Corp. (NASDAQ: KNDI) ranks as one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of go-karts in China, making it a world leader in the production of this popular recreational vehicle. It also ranks among the leading manufacturers in China of all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and specialized utility vehicles (UTVs), especially for agricultural purposes. Recently, it introduced a second generation high mileage, two seater three-wheeled motorcycle. A major company focus also has been on the manufacture and sales of a highly economical, beautifully designed, all electric super mini car -- the COCO -- for neighborhood driving and commuting. Kandi believes that battery powered, electric super minis will become the Company's largest revenue and profit generator. The Company's products can be viewed at http://www.kandivehicle.com. Its corporate/ir website is http://www.chinakandi.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (NASDAQ: MBWM - Mercantile Bank Corp.) LATEST NEWS!! Mercantile Bank Corporation Announces Webcast of Fourth Quarter 2009 Conference Call GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan 4, 2010 -- Mercantile Bank Corporation (Nasdaq:MBWM) will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter results on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The webcast can be accessed live via the company's website, www.mercbank.com. An audio archive will be available on the Mercantile website for one month following the call.

Date: January 19, 2010 Time: 10:00 AM ET Listen via Internet: https://www.mercbank.com/investor/index.asp Schedule this webcast into MS-Outlook calendar (click open when prompted): http://apps.shareholder.com/PNWOutlook/t.aspx?m=40097&k=3AAAE289 Telephone: (719) 325-2100 Toll-free: (888) 504-7953 SoundByte Replay Telephone Numbers: Telephone: 719-457-0820 and Toll-free: 888-203-1112. SoundByte Replay Passcode: 7040287 About Mercantile Bank Corporation Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mercantile Bank Corporation is the bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Founded in 1997 to provide banking services to businesses, individuals, and governmental units, the Bank differentiates itself on the basis of service quality and its banking staff expertise. Mercantile currently has nine full-service banking offices in Grand Rapids, Holland, Ann Arbor, Novi and Lansing, Michigan. Mercantile Bank Corporation's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "MBWM." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (NASDAQ: FSYS - Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc.) LATEST NEWS!! Fuel Systems Solutions to Participate at IR Events in January SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan 4, 2010 -- Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSYS), is scheduled to present at the following events in January 2010.

* Wednesday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m. ET -- Management will present at the Needham & Company 12th Annual Growth Stock Conference held at the New York Palace Hotel.

* Wednesday, January 20th at 1:30 p.m. PT -- Management will participate on a panel at the CIBC Clean Energy Investor Conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.

A live audio webcast and archive will be available for 30 days at the company's web site www.fuelsystemssolutions.com.

About Fuel Systems Solutions Fuel Systems Solutions (Nasdaq:FSYS) is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of proven, cost-effective alternative fuel components and systems for use in transportation and industrial applications. Fuel Systems' components and systems control the pressure and flow of gaseous alternative fuels, such as propane and natural gas, used in internal combustion engines. These components and systems feature the company's advanced fuel system technologies, which improve efficiency, enhance power output and reduce emissions by electronically sensing and regulating the proper proportion of fuel and air required by the internal combustion engine. In addition to the components and systems, the company provides engineering and systems integration services to address unique customer requirements for performance, durability and configuration. The company is composed of two operating subsidiaries: IMPCO Technologies and BRC. IMPCO Technologies is a leader in the heavy duty, industrial, power generation and stationary engines sectors. BRC is a leader in the light duty and automobile alternative fuel sectors and has established alliances with several major automobile manufacturers for OEM projects. Additional information is available at www.fuelsystemssolutions.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ About StockMarketingInc.com StockMarketingInc.com is a website that profiles stocks of interest. We are not licensed brokers or financial consultants. The information here is believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed to be accurate by StockMarketingInc.com. Please be advised that the information contained may or may not be complete and is solely for informational purposes only. This is not to be construed as an offer to sell, hold or the solicitation of an offer to buy. Investors are encouraged to seek opinions by their registered brokers or financial advisors after extensive due diligence is performed.

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FACEOFF: Was the Senate health care bill a “win’ for Obama? - Mineral Daily News-Tribune

Posted: 04 Jan 2010 09:33 AM PST

Keyser, W.Va. -

By Charlie Meyer:

Was the Health Care Bill passed by the Senate a "WIN" for President Obama?

As a refugee from "The Land Inside the Beltway", I hasten to remind folks that the weight-challenged female person hasn't sung, and, in fact, the lyrics haven't been decided yet. I was a budget guy there, and thus had visceral awareness of the Congressional process. If you thought the wheeling, dealing, and politics ended with last week's Senate vote, I'd suggest a refresher in American civics. The legislative process isn't tidy or efficient, but there isn't a better method out there, if one values a free democracy.

The President did manage to get health care bills passed in both the House and the Senate. I can't recall health care reform ever getting this far before. Reconciling the quite different House and Senate bills is no small task. If Teddy Roosevelt and Harry Truman, neither of them wimps, couldn't even get a bill past the various nay-sayer lobbies, then President Obama getting bills out of both houses is a "winning" play, but the game is not over yet. We are closer than ever to providing health care to nearly all Americans, but expect the rhetoric and vitriol to ratchet up. Expect more nonsense from that overblown wacky woman with Acute Slurpee Brain Freeze from Wasilla; fifty-odd years ago, it was a bad actor from California spreading doom and gloom on behalf of a less progressive American Medical Association to torpedo a previous attempt to fix health care. A land of opportunity: even that bad actor could be elected President, as we found nearly thirty years ago. It is high time we fix our broken health care system for all Americans. We have never been closer, but we're not there yet.

To the "I made my pile, up yours" crowd: You're already paying a huge price for the millions of uninsured and underinsured. When your only source of medical care is the Emergency Room in extremis, the costs of health care rise exponentially. We don't have "debtors prisons" in this country (much to the dismay of the nation's credit companies and their GOP shills.) The Emergency Room isn't generally going to turn you away to die in the parking lot if you don't have an insurance card. In that way, perhaps we are lucky and more civilized than some Third World medical economies. You'll be sued, and hounded by debt collectors until the cows come home, but you can't be tossed into the pokey for an unpaid hospital bill. Never mind one place in the country with free, universal health care: prisons. Watch your dreams of retirement vaporize when that heart attack forces you to drain your IRA to keep the medical providers' attorneys (the ones providers try to hook their sisters up with) at bay. To those of you with health insurance, you're but an insurer's capricious, profitable denial away from the uninsured. Ignorance is not bliss.

Curing the ills of America's health care mess isn't a single-variable equation. Living in a First World free society isn't easy. We shouldn't be a "nation" only when there's a war. You just can't pick one-liners for your Tea Party/Town Hall mob sign: for example, Tort Reform alone won't cure our health care ills. Nor will the drug industry's sneaky health care "reform" ads cover their attempts to subvert the Constitution's limits on patent protection to further line their pockets at our expense. Imagine the logic of an industry that profits by not paying for care; I don't see one redeeming quality to health insurers and their afterbirth: the Health Mangling Organization. Most of the rest of the First World has some form of universal coverage; they're not exactly dropping like flies. You might miss that if your television is stuck on the F-word News Channel.

Ask almost any clergy person of your choosing, and they'll probably warn you that envy and coveting tends to consume you. Other than perhaps a British Racing Green Porsche Targa, I find myself "coveting" very little materially. I'm not losing any sleep because others may have one. It keeps life simpler, which was a key selling point to those of us who aren't here in these mountains just because they was born here. I frankly don't envy that big, fancy Escalade, McMansion, ATV, Media Room, or whatever toy trips others' triggers, but "your mileage may vary." The three magic tenets in the Declaration of Independence: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," are in the order of their importance. You really can't be free, or pursue happiness, if you don't have life. Sixty- odd years ago, in the depths of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt intoned the aspiration of a nation: "Freedom From Fear." I don't think I had the only parents that feared being a "burden" on their children in their twilight years. The common denominator is life, without which, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are meaningless. Our forefathers banded together as a nation for the common good; let's not forget that, inDUHviduals. Health and life are the foundation for everything else; wanting it isn't really "coveting." The current health care mess misses that in it's misguided rush for the almighty dollar. For all those slinging Scripture while standing in the way of meaningful health care reform, why is it I never hear "your brother's keeper" when it comes to health care. Is it "window dressing," like that Sunday suit?

Decades ago, an automotive filter manufacturer had commercials warning us "you can pay me now, or pay me later." The spiraling costs and disproportionate fiscal nightmare of our health care system will only get worse if we keep sticking our heads in the Republican sand. Health care reform can't come too soon.

By Stephen Smoot:

"The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that "one more such victory would utterly undo him." For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him, and almost all his particular friends and principal commanders; there were no others there to make recruits."

This report comes from the historical writings of Plutarch. King Pyrrhus of Epirus battled the Republic of Rome twice. He won at Heraclea in 280 and again at Asculum in 279 BC. These battles against the Roman Republicans cost him dearly in resources and reputation. His country ended up in Roman hands within a century. From that point on, Pyrrhus's victory is remembered every time the losses of a victory contribute to eventual defeat. Obama has shoved his health care deform plan through the Senate, but what has this apparent victory cost him?

Every president comes into office that intangible resource of "political capital." That is, a certain storehouse of influence over national politics that comes from his position as the choice of the people.

A year ago Obama had plenty. Even many conservatives conceded that he needed at least some benefit of the doubt. Over his first year of office, the health care debacle revealed many troubling characteristics of the man himself and his political allies.

First of all the administration and congressional leaders mocked their own calls for transparency in the process of lawmaking. Instead of giving the public (and Congress) a seventy-two hour period to read and digest major legislation (as promised) Democrats repeatedly tried to shove thousand page bills into major votes. The only people reading these bills were analysts with conservative think tanks and that even required entire teams of people. When Democrats like Heath Schuler, representing North Carolina's 11th District, complained, Pelosi started scrounging around to find a primary opponent to oust him. Next came the Orwellian request by the White House for people to turn in their neighbors for "fishy" opinions on health care legislation.

The legislation itself has enough to frighten good citizens who believe in natural rights and fear massive indebtedness. Proposals for deform include a legal requirement to purchase health care. There is something scary about the government forcing people to purchase a commodity on pain of fines or jail. And no, auto insurance is not the same because no one is compelled to drive. The proposals will also raise taxes on the middle class and small business, not to mention the wealthy and large corporations. Where do left wing Democrats think jobs come from? They come from capitalists both large and small, not the jobs fairy. Now add to this the fact that the left also wants to use taxpayer money to fund abortions and one sees the rift between economic conservatives and social conservatives closing again. Obama backs the most radical proposals and unifies his opposition.

The proposed taxes, as high as they will be, still cannot cover the massive debt that this plan will incur. Obama and Congress have already sunk the United States so deep that nations from whom we borrow are advising that they will stop lending. Our national bond rating dropped slightly due to the huge Obama debts. And he wants to spend how many "trillions" on this program of economic socialization?

Americans made up their mind. Support for Obama's health care ideas dropped into the 30s. Support for him personally fell to under 50% in several polls. Meanwhile the push to transform and socialize such a large segment of the American economy while raising debts has not gone without resistance. Obama's election harmed the Republicans initially. As his administration started using heavy handed means to achieve results, it started alienating Democrats, revealing fissures within that party. Only the ideological libertarians advanced their cause in the past year.

Republicans, by pragmatism or principle, more tightly embrace the smaller government with limited powers concept of federal authority than at any time since Reagan's presidency. An army of protesters with intimate knowledge of the constitutionalism of James Madison mobilized to challenge left wing economic and social policies at every turn. The tea party movement, if it can tie itself comfortably with the GOP, can help launch its own revolution of change. This one would come from American instead of Eurosocialist traditions.

Obama's success in ramming an unwanted program of socialism through the Senate looks like a win for him in the short term. Certainly a fawning media will portray it as such. The fact that such overwhelming majorities in the House and the Senate had so much trouble reveals the president and his left wing friends' political weakness. Health care deform proposals gave conservatives of all stripes and libertarians an issue to unify their efforts in 2010 and 2012. The next Congress most likely will fall under the control of libertarian Republicans with a political mandate to slash federal spending and power. Obama's temporary win this month will result in not only electoral victories, but also structural changes to strip away powers from federal authority and return America's system back to the proper balance created by the Founding Fathers. Like King Pyrrhus, Obama made the mistake of underestimating his own strength when engaging formidable opposition. Also l! ike that ill-fated autocrat, his undoing will come at the hands of a true Republic devoted to principle.

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Wadena family to expand appliance business - Park Rapids Enterprise

Posted: 04 Jan 2010 06:12 AM PST

John Kallevig's ambitions in the family business started small, but like the proverbial acorn turning into the mighty oak, grew quickly.

"When I was a 5- or 6-year-old, I'd get a fly swatter and get a penny for every fly I'd swat," he recalled.

That was about 25 years ago, and today, John and his wife, Lisa Kallevig, are about to expand Kal's Kars, Kal's Appliances, Kal's Rental Equipment and Kal's Motor Sports into the huge lot that used to contain a competitor, Wadena GM.

The couple closed on the sale of the property on Dec. 22. They'll be moving out of their current 3,000 square foot building into the 24,338 square-foot, 5.5 acre property which had also been known as Wadena Auto Mall. It's a piece of real estate the Kallevigs have been eyeing since they purchased the family business from John's parents.

"From the time we bought the business, we thought [that property] was intriguing," John said.

But at that time, it wasn't for sale. Last summer, that changed when the owners, Dondelingers, closed the GM dealership.

"We said, 'let's pray about this,'" John recalled.

The answer came quickly and clearly.

"It's a buyer's market," John said. "Any other year, we wouldn't have bought it for what we bought it for."

And Kal's was ready to expand, the two said.

"We're out of space here," Lisa explained.

About the business

Kal's Kars was started in 1975 by Dan Kallevig, John's father, south of Verndale. In 1978, they moved to the city of Verndale, and four years later, settled into the location the business occupies today on North Jefferson Street.

It started out as just cars, but rental equipment followed in 1977, John said, and the appliance business came in 1985.

The rental business offers everything from lawn and garden equipment to Bobcats to cement mixers. There are also trailers, wedding and party equipment, and a few oddities on the list as well.

"We even rent crutches," Lisa said.

The appliance business has the typical white goods: washers, dryers, refrigerators and such. And in 2001, Kal's revved it up with motor sports like snowmobiles and ATVs — too many to show on the current lot, so these are at the Kallevigs' home.

In 2007, John and Lisa became the owners. But the family business has been more than blood-line family, too. Some very loyal employees have made Kal's Kars familiar to many Wadena-area customers.

Jim Carr has been with the business since 1977 — a date that was being bandied about between he and John before Carr realized it was around John's birth that he started working for his dad. Another team member is Jonathan Korfe, who has more than two decades with the business, starting in 1986.

"The employees are what make this business," John said. "If I was gone for a month, these guys could run it."

God first, family second, business third

John explained that he and Lisa are devoted Christians, and have always followed the motto that God comes first, family second (and the couple has a 2-year-old girl running around to take care of), and business third.

John said that keeps him centered in life.

"Ultimately, that property," he said, pointing to the former Wadena GM lot, "is God's property. That property and me — we're God's property."

A big step up

For John and Lisa, at 31 and 29, "it's a big step," Lisa said, to purchase the big lot. But John explained Kal's will expand slowly into the space, and follow his conservative business approach that has gotten him this far.

"I'm not jumping in over my head," he said.

Buy inexpensive, sell inexpensive has been a guiding principle for the Kallevigs, which is why John bought 14 cars last week and 12 the week before at auctions in the Twin Cities, often looking for deals on repossessed vehicles and bargain prices. He said buying around Christmas is usually a buyer's market on cars, which is why he does a lot of it this time of year.

"If we can buy them cheaper, we can sell them cheaper," Lisa said.

The timetable

John said he could close the business and probably move it all in a couple of weeks, but that wouldn't be fair to his employees or his customers, or his slow-and-steady business approach. Instead, he said the goal is to get the new building cleaned and projects done over there by the end of January. Moving will take place through the month of February, and the Kallevigs are targeting March to be completely out of their current location.

John said he wants to sell the property he's currently in, preferably to a family business like the one his dad nurtured and built.

"We're a family business," he said. "And we're a business serving this community."

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Kandi Technologies, Corp. Forges Strategic Alliance With Major - MSN Money

Posted: 04 Jan 2010 04:54 AM PST

Kandi Technologies, Corp. (NASDAQ: KNDI) today announced it has formed a strategic alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. -- a joint venture of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China Potevio Co. -- and Tianneng Power International, Ltd., aimed at speeding up the commercialization and achieving mass adoption of Pure Electronic Vehicles (Pure EVs) in China. Working together with government support, the companies believe they are the first in China with an innovative automotive transportation business model that provides a comprehensive solution to overcome current obstacles to an oil free future.

Mr. Hu continued, "While auto companies around the world are racing to create and sell EVs, it is widely recognized that the key 'bottlenecks' to creating a mass market for battery powered vehicles include their relatively short driving ranges, high costs, long charging times and limited facilities for recharging. These are hurdles our Alliance believes can be overcome with an open architecture strategy which we aim to implement over time with government cooperation on a city by city basis throughout China. Our initial test city will be Jinhua City with a population of nearly five million in one of China's most economically advanced regions and where Kandi is headquartered. To our knowledge, if we are successful, Jinhua will be the first city in China with a comprehensive model EV transportation system in place."

The New EV Business Model

The new EV business model of the Alliance focuses on the specific transportation needs of China's rapidly growing urban centers and an anticipated high degree of government cooperation. Some of the current key elements of the model include:

 -- Building a comprehensive network of EV "battery stations" throughout each city for one-stop battery charging, replacement, recycling and rental -- Powering the battery stations with a centralized industrial "battery charging farm" in each city that can optimize electrical usage and costs -- Selling affordable pure electrical cars without batteries -- equipped, however, with Kandi's patented (and patent pending) technology for easy battery removal and replacement -- Making traditional batteries available on a lifetime, maintenance free rental basis -- and replacing, maintaining, and recycling them at the battery stations -- Obtaining government support not only in the form of subsidies for car ownership, but also for operational requirements such as permits for battery station construction and operation -- Reflecting the fact that most commuting in China is intra-city, covering relatively short distances, the model will be tested initially in Jinhua City and then in other mid-size cities. Expansion would be via the existing network of Alliance partners or by duplicating the model with other new partners.

Removing All Key Obstacles To Success

The advantages of this model to drivers of EVs are clear, starting first and foremost with the purchase price of their cars, which will be much lower without batteries, and with anticipated government subsidies. Further, they will never have to worry about owning, maintaining or disposal of their batteries. Significantly, they also will have no worries about safely driving too far away anywhere within or just outside their city limits. Over time, driving ranges will expand as the model is expanded to neighboring cities and regions.

Alliance Members (in addition to Kandi)

Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power Ltd. is a joint venture between China Potevio Co. Ltd. Group and China National Offshore Oil Corporation or CNOOC. China Potevio Co. Ltd. is one of the largest state owned enterprises in China which focuses on IT equipment and service. China National Offshore Oil Corporation, is China's largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas and one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world. The Group mainly engages in oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and sales. The Potevio/CNOOC joint venture strives to develop and to invest in alternative energy technology in China.

About the Company

Kandi Technologies, Corp. (NASDAQ: KNDI) ranks as one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of go-karts in China, making it a world leader in the production of this popular recreational vehicle. It also ranks among the leading manufacturers in China of all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and specialized utility vehicles (UTVs), especially for agricultural purposes. Recently, it introduced a second generation high mileage, two seater three-wheeled motorcycle. A major company focus also has been on the manufacture and sales of a highly economical, beautifully designed, all electric super mini car -- the COCO -- for neighborhood driving and commuting. Kandi believes that battery powered, electric super minis will become the Company's largest revenue and profit generator. The Company's products can be viewed at http://www.kandivehicle.com. Its corporate/ir website is http://www.chinakandi.com.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this Press Release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, product demand, market competition, and risks inherent in our operations. These and other risks are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:  Kandi Technologies, Corp. Hu Xiaoming Chairman and CEO 86-579 - 83906856  US Ken Donenfeld donfgroup@aol.com Tel: 212-425-5700 Fax: 646-381-9727  US Investors Focus Asia partners Robert Agriogianis Tel:973-845-6642

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