Azure Dynamics Europe Signs Agreement with Hugo Pfohe Network of Ford Dealerships in Northern Germany
Michigan (ots/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 weekAzure Dynamics Corporation 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 [http://www.upi.com/topic/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 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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For further information:
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
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