Azure Dynamics Europe Signs Germany’s Auto-Strunk to Sales and Service Agreement
By Azure Dynamics Corporation, PRNESunday, September 25, 2011
OAK PARK, Michigan, September 26, 2011 -
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF), a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, announced today that Auto-Strunk GmbH has become the latest European dealership to sign a sales and service agreement for the innovative Ford Transit Connect Electric van. Transit Connect Electric will be available via Auto-Strunk locations in both Cologne and Langenfeld (Rhineland), Germany.
European manufacturing for Transit Connect Electric began in June, 2011 and in North America in April, 2011. Azure has since received orders for the Transit Connect Electric van of more than 400 units worldwide and was recently honored with the ÖkoGlobe Award for sustainable innovations in mobility.
“Germany is an important market for us and we’re thrilled to have Auto-Strunk, a well known and well connected dealership partner, to present Transit Connect Electric to its commercial fleet customers,” said Ricardo Espinosa, Azure’s managing director in Europe.
“Auto-Strunk is working aggressively to provide customers with vehicles that help lower operational costs and improve environmental performance,” said Edith Strunk, CEO at Auto-Strunk. “As the recent ÖkoGlobe Award demonstrates, the Transit Connect Electric van can accomplish those goals as well as any vehicle currently available in Germany.”
To bring forward innovation in electric vehicles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is committed to having one million electric cars on German roads by 2020.
With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, rugged load capacity, dependability 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.
On September 6th 2011, the Transit Connect Electric was honored with the coveted ÖkoGlobe Award from the ÖkoGlobe Institute of the University of Duisburg Essen. ÖkoGlobe is an international environmental award that honors sustainable innovations in the field of mobility.
Azure’s distribution strategy in Europe is to establish partnerships with carefully selected Ford Commercial Truck dealerships to offer Transit Connect Electric sales and service activities in strategically targeted markets.
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.
For more information on how Azure Dynamics is Diving a World of Difference, please visit 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 www.azuredynamics.com.
About Auto-Strunk:
Auto-Strunk GmbH is a well established car dealer operating in Cologne, Germany for 100 years in 2011. The family run business holds subsidies in Langenfeld (Rheinland) and Brandenburg an der Havel with almost 400 employees. The partnership with Ford Motor Company was established 75 years ago and is since then core brand for the business. Focusing on the customer and its needs all around the field of mobility with high quality service was always key to Auto-Strunk. Incorporating electric vehicle was logic in following this guiding theme and made possible by a cooperation with Azure Dynamics.
For more information in German please visit: www.auto-strunk.de.
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For further information:
Gary Whittam, Azure Dynamics Europe, +44(0)1277-725-652 Email gwhittam@azuredynamics.com Patrick Liebler, Liebler Group, 248-229-4418 Email: pat@lieblergroup.com
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