Azure Sells Another 18 Transit Connect Electrics
The Oak Park hybrid and electric truck powertrain developer Azure Dynamics Corp. Thursday announced the sale of 18 more Ford Transit Connect Electric van sales, including a five-unit sale to Ford Motor Co. itself to support various engineering, marketing and demonstration programs.
Said Scott Harrison, Azure's CEO: "In addition to the fuel and maintenance efficiencies, actually experiencing the functionality and flexibility that the Transit Connect Electric offers is the best way to inform prospective customers to support sales efforts."
The Ford vehicles, ordered through Village Ford in Dearborn, will be exhibited at auto shows, corporate events and in customer demonstrations.
"Electrification is a key part of Ford's overall fuel efficiency strategy and Transit Connect Electric is helping spread this message to consumers, small businesses and fleet customers," said Nancy Gioia, global director of electrification for Ford Motor Co. "As interest in Transit Connect Electric continues to grow, these five vehicles will help both Azure Dynamics and Ford educate potential customers and the public on the benefits of driving an all electric vehicle."
The remaining 13 Transit Connect Electric vans were sold to a variety of Ford commercial truck dealers who will use the vehicles as customer demonstrators. The dealers represent major metro markets from Edmonton, Alberta south to Caguas, Puerto Rico and from Richmond, Va. to Irvine, Calif. The dealerships include:
* Caguas Expressway Motors Inc., Caguas, Puerto Rico
* Freedom Ford Sales Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta
* Hansel Ford Lincoln, Santa Rosa, Calif.
* Northside Ford Truck Sales Inc., Portland, Ore.
* Pacifico Ford Mazda Hyundai, Philadelphia, Pa.
* Phil Long Ford, Colorado Springs, Colo.
* Phil Long Ford, Denver, Colo.
* Richmond Ford Lincoln, Richmond, Va.
* Scarff Ford Isuzu, Auburn, Wash. (two units)
* Serramonte Ford, Colma, Calif.
* Town & Country Ford, Evansville, Ind.
* Tuttle-Click Ford Lincoln Mercury, Irvine, Calif.
A unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, maneuverability, accessibility and low operating costs are characteristics that make the Ford Transit Connect the ideal choice for electrification. Commercial vehicle fleets are increasingly seen as the logical starting point for electric vehicles due to typical drive cycles that include travel on predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop and go driving in tight urban or suburban environments. Commercial vehicles generally return to a central location at the end of a drive cycle making for efficient and convenient recharging over night.
The Ford Transit Connect Electric utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft to achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle and is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet. Commercial vans generally return to a central location at the end of each driving cycle making for easy overnight recharging. Use of the vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
More at www.azuredynamics.com.
