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9 Feb 2009 07:00
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February 9thΒ 2009
The Tanfield Group PlcΒ ("the Group" or "the Company")
Electric Vehicle Development Partnership with Ford Motor Company
The Tanfield Group Plc,Β the leadingΒ manufacturer ofΒ aerial work platforms andΒ commercial electric vehicles, today announces an electric vehicle developmentΒ collaborationΒ with Ford Motor Company.
TanfieldΒ will work with Ford to introduceΒ aΒ battery-electric light van, the first vehicle in theΒ Company's broad electrification strategy for the North American market which was announced at this year's Detroit Auto Show. This vehicle will be based on the European-designedΒ Ford Transit ConnectΒ which goes on sale inΒ North AmericaΒ this year.
Tanfield will manufacture a limited number of electric Ford Transit Connect vehiclesΒ inΒ North AmericaΒ duringΒ 2010, with future production to ramp up in line with customer demand.Β The vehicles will be fully branded as a Ford product and sold through selected Ford dealerships.
Tanfield already works with FordΒ ofΒ Europe to produce commercial electric vehiclesΒ basedΒ on the Ford TransitΒ andΒ Transit ConnectΒ chassis.Β
Darren Kell, CEOΒ ofΒ The Tanfield Group Plc, said: "We are proud to be delivering theΒ first vehicle in Ford's new electrification strategy, with theΒ battery-electric Ford Transit Connect.
"This enhances the Ford commercial vehicle portfolio with a zero-emission light van that is cost-effective, gets the job done and does not compromise Ford's high standards for exceptional driving experience.Β It offers fleet ownersΒ the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, improve city air quality and make a positiveΒ step towards our nationalΒ energy security."
"TheΒ collaborationΒ with Ford and development of the battery-electric Ford Transit Connect demonstrates that Smith Electric Vehicles is the industry leader in commercial electric vehicles."
The vehicle's performance capabilities are expected to include a range of up to 100 miles on a full charge, without compromising the Transit Connect's superior driving experience. It will operate very similarly to a conventional light van, but with smoother acceleration, less noise and zero emissions.
Tanfield will be wholly responsible for supplying and integrating the power train, battery pack andΒ controlΒ systems into the existing vehicle chassis envelope, with engineering support from Ford.
Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Product Development, said: "Our collaboration with Smith will result in the first battery-electric vehicle in Ford's electrification strategy and positions Ford at the vanguard of the commercial electric vehicle industry.
"The partnership approach adopted for delivering the battery-electric Ford Transit Connect ensures the most efficient route to market, through shared investment and expertise."
For further information:
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The Tanfield Group Plc |
+44 (0)845 1557 755 |
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Darren Kell, CEO |
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Charles Brooks, FD |
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Arbuthnot Securities |
+44(0)20 7012 2000 |
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Nomad and Broker |
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James Steel/ Katie Shelton |
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