Nov 28, 2010

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Signs Cooperation Agreement to Promote Electric Vehicles with the Singapore Government

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and its distributor in Singapore Cycle & Carriage Automotive PTE Limited (CCA) today announced the signing of a Cooperation Agreement to collaborate on activities to popularize electric vehicles (EV) with the Singapore government.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore, including Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), as part of a multi government agency EV task force will set up an EV charging infrastructure network and evaluate the cost benefits of EVs for future adoption. Within these activities, MMC, via CCA, will supply 25 i-MiEVs from 2011 and cooperate in the taskforce's test bedding efforts.

Mr. Leo Yip, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board said, "We are delighted to welcome Mitsubishi Motors on board as the first major EV supplier for Singapore's EV test bed programme. This test bed programme is an excellent example of how Singapore presents itself as a Living Laboratory for auto-manufacturers, charging equipment suppliers and EV component players to explore R&D and capability development activities in Singapore. We see opportunities in areas such as battery management systems, power electronics and electric drive systems. Companies can leverage Singapore's electronics cluster and engineering talent to build new capabilities here."

Mr. Osamu Masuko, President of Mitsubishi Motors said, "MMC is proud to be the part of EV test-bed in Singapore. We believe that Singapore is an ideal market for EV. Working together with the Singapore government and Cycle & Carriage Automotive, we would like to evaluate the performance of i-MiEV under the condition in Singapore and also promote the appeal of EV toSingapore citizen."

MMC is currently selling the i-MiEV in Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia. In addition, MMC has engaged in initiatives to popularize EVs with various governments all over the world, including the governments of the Principality of Monaco, Iceland, Denmark, among others.

GM Inaugurates Flexi-Engine Plant in Talegaon, India

General Motors today inaugurated its new flexi-engine facility in Talegaon, GM's first powertrain plant that enables petroleum and diesel engines to be manufactured simultaneously.

The state-of-the-art facility represents investment of $230 million. It has an initial annual production capacity of 160,000 engines and is designed to accommodate future expansion. The new engine plant will begin by producing engines for small passenger cars manufactured by GM in India.

"This marks the beginning of GM's next chapter in India." GM India President and Managing Director Karl Slym said. "The opening of our new facility will enable our company to become more competitive and keep up with the growing demand for our vehicles. GM India's sales have grown significantly since we began rolling out our mini-cars, the Chevrolet Spark and Beat, at our Talegaon plant about two years back."

Slym added, "We appreciate the support of the Maharashtra government and our employees across the country. Their backing has enabled us to build a world-class engine facility in record time of less than two years."

On Aug. 28, 2008, GM signed an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra for the construction of a new engine plant adjacent to its vehicle manufacturing facility. Construction started in December 2008, with pilot production commencing in March 2010. The engine plant complements GM's modern vehicle manufacturing facilities in Talegaon and Halol, Gujarat, as well as the GM Technical Centre – India in Bangalore, which is carrying out a range of engineering, design and R&D activities.

General Motors India has completed 14 years of operation. It offers a growing range of products under the Chevrolet brand, which was introduced in India in 2003 and has become one of the fastest-growing automotive nameplates in the country. In addition to the Spark and Beat, GM India also produces the Captiva, Optra, Cruze, Aveo, Aveo U-VA, and Tavera for sale nationwide.

GM is the fifth-largest automobile manufacturer in India. In the first 10 months of 2010, GM India sold a record 93,960 vehicles, which represents a 73 percent increase over the same period last year. It has 209 sales points and 205 service outlets in 178 cities across India, and has embarked upon an ambitious rural marketing initiative to further boost sales. In February 2010, GM and its Chinese partner SAIC opened a joint venture in India for cooperation in vehicle manufacturing and sales.

Nov 1, 2010

CANADA POST BECOMES FIRST CUSTOMER FOR AZURE DYNAMICS AND FORD OF CANADA'S TRANSIT CONNECT ELECTRIC VAN

Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) ("Azure" or the "Company"), the fast growing hybrid electric and electric power train innovator for the commercial truck market, and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, announced today that they will deliver one of the first Transit Connect Electric commercial vans to Canada Post under the LEAD customer program. Canada Post will receive one of the exclusive Ford Transit Connect Electric delivery vehicles by the end of this year and has committed to the purchase of nine more by end of 2011.

"Canada Post is the first Canadian company to sign on to this exclusive and innovative vehicle program aimed at providing environmental solutions to the commercial delivery market," said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. "The transformative technology of the Transit Connect Electric reduces gasoline fuel costs to zero, produces no tailpipe emissions and is virtually silent as it travels through urban and suburban delivery routes. The progressive attitude of companies like Canada Post will contribute to making an important environmental impact."

The new van's electric drive performance attributes are well suited to fleets like Canada Post that have duty cycles characterized by predictable routes with frequent stop and go driving and high idle time.

"As one of the largest communications and logistics companies in Canada, we're proud to be among the first to implement a fully electric delivery vehicle on our roads," says Doug Jones, Senior Vice President, Operations at Canada Post. "We expect that this new vehicle will bring us one step further along our path to reduce both our overall fuel emissions and our carbon footprint on the environment."
The Transit Connect Electric integrates Azure's Force Drive™ electric powertrain into Ford's dedicated global commercial van platform that received the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award. Its unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, maneuverability, accessibility and low operating costs are characteristics that make the Transit Connect an ideal choice for electrification.

"At Ford, we are dedicated to delivering quality, safe and fuel efficient vehicles to Canadian businesses – and the Ford Transit Connect delivers on all fronts," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "The Ford Transit Connect Electric represents a win-win for both the environment and for Canada Post – it allows them to operate a more environmentally-friendly vehicle while helping to reduce their CO2 emissions as well as their need for gasoline."

The Ford Transit Connect Electric utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft to achieve a range of up to 130 km (80 miles) on a single charge 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.