OAK PARK, Michigan,
June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Dealer to represent innovative Ford
Transit Connect Electric to commercial fleet customers
- The Hugo Pfohe GmbH network of 10 Ford dealerships in
Northern Germany will represent
Transit Connect Electric with sales and service agreement
- Ford Transit Connect Electric now available in Germany, Norway, and U.K., with additional country
announcements forthcoming
- European assembly and shipments of Transit Connect Electric
vans to begin this week
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) and Ford
Europe announced today that Hugo Pfohe GmbH will be the first
German dealership group for sales and service of the Ford Transit
Connect Electric van. Transit Connect Electric will be
available through Pfohe's 10 Ford dealerships across Northern
German.
"With our European Transit Connect Electric manufacturing set to
commence this week, it's critical that we organize a network of
Ford dealerships for representation across Europe," said Ricardo
Espinosa, Azure's managing director in Europe. "The
Pfohe Group has 90 years experience successfully representing Ford
products to private and fleet customers and will be a valuable
partner in presenting the Transit Connect Electric to German
commercial fleet customers."
Philip Pfohe, general manager of Hugo Pfohe GmbH, also serves as
the Chairman of the European Ford Dealer Association.
"It is vital that future transportation can be achieved in a
more environmentally positive manner," said Pfohe. "To our
knowledge, Transit Connect Electric is the best product in class to
enable our customers to achieve their transportation needs with the
environmental benefits of electric power. With a number of
companies interested in understanding the potential of Transit
Connect Electric, backed by German government support for electric
vehicles in general, we believe that this vehicle is being
introduced at exactly the right time."
With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, rugged
load capacity and low operating costs, the Transit Connect Electric
van is an ideal choice for German commercial fleet operators
looking to reduce operational costs and lessen their impact on the
environment.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
recently committed to having one million electric cars on German
roads by 2020.
Azure's strategy in Europe is
to establish partnerships with carefully selected Ford dealerships
to offer high quality sales and service activities in support of
Transit Connect Electric. To that end, Transit Connect
Electric will now be available via Hugo Pfohe stores in
Hamburg (three stores), Schwerin
(two stores), Bad Segeberg, Norderstedt, Lübeck, Kiel and
Oldenburg. Pfohe also operates a fully-owned subsidiary in
Bulgaria (Moto-Pfohe).
To create the Transit Connect Electric, Azure integrates its
proven Force Drive[TM]electric
powertrain into the award-winning Ford Transit Connect. Utilizing
an advanced lithium-ion battery, Transit Connect Electric can
achieve a range of up to 80-130KM/50-80 miles on a single charge
and has a load capacity of 500kgs.
The Transit Connect Electric powertrain provides powerful
benefits for commercial vehicle users who have drive cycles that
often include predictable, short range routes with frequent
stop/start driving in city/urban environments.
Azure's manufacturing partner, Lotus Lightweight Structures,
will begin assembling and shipping Transit Connect Electric vans
next week from its plant in Worcester, UK. Completed vans
will be shipped throughout Europe. Post Norway was previously
announced as Transit Connect Electric's first European customer
with a 20-van order.
For more information on how Azure Dynamics is Diving a World of
Difference, please visit http://www.azuredynamics.com.
About Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) is a world leader
in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric
components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is
strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle
bus markets and is currently working internationally with a variety
of partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing
customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and
environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For
more information please visit http://www.azuredynamics.com.
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Gary Whittam, Azure Dynamics
Europe, +44-(0)-1277-725-652
Email gwhittam@azuredynamics.com
Juris Pagrabs, Vice President,
Investor Relations, +1-(248)-298-2403 ext 7570
Email: jpagrabs@azuredynamics.com
Patrick Liebler, Liebler Group,
+1-248-229-4418
Email: pat@lieblergroup.com