OAK PARK, Michigan,
April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Deploying the same successful distribution strategy utilized in
North America, Azure Dynamics
Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) today announced that it has
named RohneSelmer Company AS in Oslo,
Norway as its first official European dealership for sales
and service of the Transit Connect Electric van. The dealership has
placed an immediate order for 38 Transit Connect Electric vans,
bringing its total to 58 orders. RohneSelmer supported Azure's
inaugural Transit Connect Electric sales of 20 vans to Post Norway
and has extensive sales and service support experience of battery
electric vehicles in its three locations in and around Oslo. Rohneselmer is a family owned business
with over 75 years history as a Ford dealer.
"We are very pleased to have a European dealership of
RohneSelmer prominence join our global network of Transit Connect
Electric dealerships in support of the June European production
launch," said Scott Harrison, Azure
CEO. "Since opening our European office last month, interest from
European commercial and private fleet operators continues to grow
and selling 58 Transit Connect Electric vans in such a short period
of time validates this interest. Additionally, given RohneSelmer
long and successful history being one of the oldest Ford
dealerships in Norway, their
eagerness in ordering 26 Transit Connect Electric vans to meet
customers' demands is meaningful."
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. In North
America, Azure has more than 100 such dealer
relationships.
Azure Managing Director for Europe, Ricardo
Espinosa, said, "We are delighted to be working with the
team at RohneSelmer as we grow our presence in Europe. We need partners like them who are
passionate, dedicated and have vision to see this exciting new
sector grow across Europe."
RohneSelmer Company Director, Christian
August Selmer, added, "We're extremely enthusiastic about
the Transit Connect Electric van's potential and are thrilled to be
one of the first dealer partners to be involved in the programme.
Our experience with Post Norway showed that the vehicle has
important environmental and performance attributes that our
customers want. Our vehicle orders are based on our expectation of
continued high levels of interest."
Azure will begin assembling Transit Connect Electric vans in
June, 2011 at a Lotus Lightweight Structures plant in Worcester, UK. Completed vans will be shipped
throughout Europe, although
Norway has emerged as an early
lead market.
To create the Transit Connect Electric, Azure integrates its
proven Force DriveTM electric powertrain into the award-winning
Ford Transit Connect. Utilizing an advanced lithium-ion battery
from Johnson Controls-Saft, Transit Connect Electric can achieve a
range of up to 130KM/80 miles on a single charge and has a load
capacity of 500kgs.
A unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, rugged load
capacity and low operating costs are characteristics that make the
Transit Connect Electric van an ideal choice for commercial fleet
operators looking to reduce operational costs and lessen the impact
their business has on the environment.
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.
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.
The TSX Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements Advisory
Certain information included in this press release constitutes
forward-looking statements and information and future-oriented
financial information under applicable securities legislation and
is provided for the purpose of expressing management's current
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More particularly, this press release contains statements
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transportation vehicles. Although Azure believes that the
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For further information:
Gary Whittam, Azure Dynamics
Europe, +44(0)1277-725-652 Email gwhittam@azuredynamics.com
Mike Elwood, Marketing VP, Azure
Dynamics, +1-905-607-3486 ext 6203 Email:
melwood@azuredynamics.com
Patrick Liebler, Liebler Group,
+1-248-229-4418 Email: pat@lieblergroup.com