DEARBORN, Michigan,
November 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- Transit Connect Electric wagon offers seating for five
passengers with added convenience and comfort plus all the benefits
associated with an electrified powertrain
- Transit Connect Electric wagon is now available in North America and will soon be available in
Europe
- Transit Connect Electric has achieved more than 450 orders
since its introduction in December
2010
Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX:
AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) today announced the newest electrified commercial
vehicle product on the market, the Ford Transit Connect Electric
wagon. The wagon is a logical next step for Azure and Ford
which first introduced an electrified Transit Connect in
December 2010.
The wagon is considered ideal for businesses that want the
flexibility to move either cargo and/or passengers with the
efficiencies offered by the electric powertrain. The wagon is
especially well-suited to campus settings like those found at
universities, military bases, health care facilities, airports and
private businesses where frequent short-range routes are commonly
traveled.
"With the addition of the new Transit Connect Electric wagon, we
expand our product portfolio and offer our commercial customers
more versatility to meet their transportation needs with fully
electric operation," said Scott
Harrison, Azure Dynamics chief executive officer. "As
a derivative of our successful Transit Connect Electric cargo van,
the wagon shares a common electric drive integration and glider
helping to keep additional development cost low."
Like its cargo van sibling, the Transit Connect Electric Wagon
qualifies for the $7,500 federal
incentive in the United States. In addition to federal
incentives, fleet owners in California can receive an additional
$15,000 incentive from the California
Air Resources Board (CARB) for the first Transit Connect Electric
van or wagon purchased for deployment in California. Subsequent purchases of Transit
Connect Electric vans or wagons will qualify for an incentive of up
to $12,000, with a maximum of 100
vans per customer.
"Over the past year, the Transit Connect Electric has shown how
versatile it can be, serving as the premier green vehicle in the
fleets of many different industries," said Nancy Gioia, director of global electrification,
Ford Motor Company. "The Transit Connect Electric wagon, with its
added passenger seating, opens the doors for even more businesses
to green their fleets and experience 100 percent electric and
zero-emissions driving."
Since its introduction in December
2010, more than 450 Transit Connect Electric vans have been
purchased by many hard working commercial vehicle fleets including
AT&T, Canada Post, DHL, FedEx Express, and Post Norway to name
a few. Other early adopters of Transit Connect Electric
include energy providers and private businesses seeking to better
understand and utilize the benefits associated with electrified
transportation.
To create the Transit Connect Electric wagon, Azure integrates
its proven Force Drive[TM]
electric powertrain into the award-winning Ford Transit Connect XLT
Premium Wagon and offers enhanced second-row passenger comfort
while still providing considerable cargo space and payload
capacity.
Using an advanced liquid-cooled 28 kilowatt hour lithium-ion
battery from Johnson Controls, Transit Connect Electric wagon can
achieve a range of 55 to 80 miles on a single charge depending on
driving conditions and ancillary power usage. The wagon has a top
speed of 75 mph.
Wagon owners will have the option of recharging Transit Connect
Electric with either a standard 120-volt outlet, or preferably a
240-volt charging station, typically installed at the user's base
of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours.
The vehicle's charge port is located above the passenger-side rear
wheel well in the spot typically used for conventional
re-fueling.
The Transit Connect Electric wagon is built on a dedicated
global van platform and offers a unique combination of car-like
driving dynamics, significant cargo capacity, accessibility, and
low operating costs.
For more information on how Azure vehicles are Driving 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.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or
distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000
employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive
brands include Ford and Lincoln.
The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please
visit http://www.ford.com.
The TSX Exchange does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements. More particularly, this press release
contains statements concerning Azure's business development
strategy, projected commercial revenues and product
deliveries.
The forward-looking statements are based on certain key
expectations and assumptions made by Azure, including expectations
and assumptions concerning achievement of current timetables for
development programs, target market acceptance of Azure's products,
current and new product performance, availability and cost of labor
and expertise, and evolving markets for power for transportation
vehicles. Although Azure believes that the
expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking
statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be
placed on the forward-looking statements because Azure can give no
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forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by
their very nature they involve inherent risks and
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risks associated with Azure's early stage of development, lack of
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to product development and commercialization milestones being met,
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management and key personnel, and acquisition integration
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contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and
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For further information:
Juris Pagrabs, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1(248)298-2403 ext 7570
Email: jpagrabs@azuredynamics.com
Pat Liebler, Liebler Group, +1(313)832-4376
Email: pat@lieblergroup.com
(AZD. AZDDF)
