HONOLULU - CT&T, a South Korean-based electric vehicle manufacturer, and the state of Hawaii have signed a memorandum of understanding supporting the automaker's plans to bring a regional assembly and sales facility to the state in the near future.   

CT&T CEO Young Gi Lee and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle signed the agreement on May 6, Lingle's office said. 

The CT&T facility is expected to produce as many as 10,000 two-seater electric vehicles annually. The plant will also assemble electric buses and four-passenger electric vehicles.  

"Our existing plants in Korea and China, our overseas branches in the U.S., Japan and China and our regional assembly and sales centers in the U.S., Europe and Japan are part of our global network and will help us to grow and build a leading, recognizable and eco-friendly electric vehicle company," said Young Gi Lee.  

CT&T said its e-ZONE electric vehicle has already stirred considerable interest, especially from the states of California, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. The e-ZONE was exhibited in September 2009 at the G-20 Summit, held in Pittsburgh.  

CT&T plans to build an eco-friendly assembly facility and a resort to reflect the Hawaiian lifestyle. The plant itself will extend across three acres. A showroom, an electric vehicle theme park and a resort complex will be built alongside the plant. 

CT&T has established numerous partnerships, including those with SK Energy, LG Chem, LS Industrial Systems, POSCO and Hanwha L&C.