(Credit: Automotive News) LOS ANGELES — If you had led the design team for the iconic roadster of the last quarter-century, that would be a calling card for quite a while. But Tom Matano, recently announced as the lead stylist for newly formed venture V-Vehicle Co. of San Diego, has several other resume-toppers to his name besides the original Mazda Miata. V-Vehicle, a new auto company backed by Texas billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens, last week announced plans to build an “environmentally friendly” car in a former General Motors plant in Monroe, La. The company withheld details about the vehicle. But news reports quoted Matano as saying, “This car will be another icon of American industry.” Although the company’s announcement said the Louisiana plant would be running in 18 months, a time frame of 20 to 22 months is more likely, a source said. The plant is scheduled to employ about 1,400 people. A source said the supply chain will be almost entirely subcontracted. …

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Upstart auto company lures designer with big-time resume

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