GENERATING SLOW BUZZ : SALES OF GM'S NEW ELECTRIC CAR MAY TAKE TIME.

Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Daily News Staff Writer

General Motors Corp.'s EV-1, the new electric car designed for a niche market, not the mass market, didn't exactly fly out of Saturn dealer showrooms in its debut Thursday.

That was expected, though, because the zero-emission car comes with a caveat that it's not for everyone and has a radically different sales approach, which starts with an EV-1 specialist interviewing potential customers.

So you can't drive a gas guzzler in, plunk down your money and buzz off in a sporty new two-seater that gets about 70 miles between charge-ups.

You've got to court this car a while as well as covet it.

Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude was one of four customers who drove an EV-1 off the lot Thursday at Saturn of the Valley in North Hills. One EV-1 rolled out of Saturn of Thousand Oaks. Those had been pre-ordered.

Dale Smith, team leader at Saturn of Thousand Oaks, said foot traffic was brisk in the showroom, with about 100 more visitors than normal.

``People that showed an interest in the vehicle today are waiting for the EV specialists to do an on-site inspection to determine what it will take to set their facilities up for an EV-1,'' Smith said, alluding to the special 220-volt home charging system each car requires.

He said several customers will take delivery in the next few days after their charging systems are installed.

Dennis McCroskey, general manager at Saturn of the Valley, reported a similar increase in activity. No new deals were initiated by midafternoon but business should pick up over the weekend, he said.

``The reception from the public has been extremely strong so far. Everyone is surprised to see that it is much more than a golf cart,'' he said.

GM is the first major automaker to market a car designed and built to run on electricity. The EV-1 carries a $34,000-plus price tag but is being leased with terms calling for three years and monthly payments of $480 to $640, depending on the tax breaks available where the customers live.

A recharging device can be leased for about $50 a month from Edison EV, a subsidiary of Edison International.

The cars are available through 24 Saturn dealerships in California and Arizona.

GM is targeting an affluent market. The EV-1 candidate typically is an environmentally minded consumer with $120,000 annual income and two other gas-powered cars.

Thirty-four customers took delivery of EV1s on Thursday, including ``Baywatch'' star Alexandra Paul and Sylvester Stallone, who was planning to arrive at the Thursday night premiere of his new movie ``Daylight'' in his EV1, according to the Associated Press.

But they won't be souping up the tear-drop-shape coupe. GM has banned any modifications and the cars are not designed for tow bars. Breakdowns require a lift on a flatbed truck.

Not everyone is enamored of GM's new entry.

Californians Against Hidden Taxes, funded in part by the Western States Petroleum Association, said, ``You have to call a specialist just to change a tire.''

Anita Mangles, spokeswoman for the group, also criticized the tax breaks available to EV-1 drivers, claiming that many are subsidizing a few wealthy consumers who can afford the electric car.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) Employees of Saturn of the Valley in North Hills watch a new electric EV-1 leave the lot.

(2--Color) Pete Boron of Canyon Country looks under the hood of General Motors' EV-1, which went on sale Thursday.

Evan Yee/Daily News