|
Attention Business Editors
AT&T Becomes Lead Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric
Vehicle is Powered by Azure Dynamics ForceDrive(TM) electric drivetrain
ST. LOUIS, MO, March 9 /CNW/ - Azure Dynamics Corporation today announced
AT&T has agreed to purchase two of the first Ford Transit Connect Electric
vans, the latest addition to AT&T's growing fleet of alternative-fuel
vehicles.
The Ford Transit Connect Electric -- the all-electric version of the 2010
Ford Transit Connect, the North American Truck of the Year -- will be powered
by Azure Dynamics' patented Force Drive(TM) electric drivetrain with an
advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft. The vehicle, which
goes on sale later this year, has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge
and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets.
It has a top speed of 75 miles per hour.
"Cleaner, alternative-fuel vehicles are the future of our corporate
fleet, and the Transit Connect Electric represents a real breakthrough and
will be a strong addition to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles," said
Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet operations at AT&T. "It's exactly the
kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped our long-term vision to invest up
to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through
2018." AT&T currently operates more than 77,000 vehicles in its corporate
fleet, including 15 gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connect vehicles AT&T began
piloting in 2009.
Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics, said Transit Connect Electric
project is in line with his company's mission.
"Our business is built on great technology, committed partners and
customers who want to improve efficiency while reducing their environmental
footprint," Harrison said. "The Transit Connect Electric brings all of those
elements together in a single package and is exactly on target with our goal
at Azure of 'driving a world of difference.'"
According to Harrison, commercial vehicles are ideal candidates for
electrification due to typical duty cycle characteristics like predictable
drive routes and a return to a central location each night for recharging. The
zero tailpipe emission Ford Transit Connect Electric also will help protect
air quality in the urban environments where it operates.
By combining car-like driving dynamics with truck-like cargo capacity,
Ford Transit Connect Electric is well-suited to the demands placed on urban
delivery vehicles for small businesses and larger, corporate fleets.
The Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation
because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling
with gasoline. Additionally, customers will benefit from lower maintenance
costs as the electric drive train has far fewer moving parts to maintain.
"Ford Transit Connect was first introduced in the U.S. last year as a new
fuel efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles. Adding the electric
option addresses a growing demand from our customers for sustainable vehicles
for their fleets," said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager. "This
Transit Connect Electric represents the first in a family of electrified
vehicles, including new hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all battery electric
vehicles, which Ford will deliver over the next three years."
AT&T plans to take delivery of the Transit Connect Electric in late 2010.
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 various 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 Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the
company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings
are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the
nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the
nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic
markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales
leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T
brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As
part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are
expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1
in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the
World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the
products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is
available at http://www.att.com.
(C) 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T
logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual
Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein
are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. More
particularly, this press release contains statements concerning Azure's
business development strategy, projected commercial revenues and product
deliveries.
The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and
assumptions made by Azure, including expectations and assumptions concerning
achievement of current timetables for development programs, target market
acceptance of Azure's products, current and new product performance,
availability and cost of labor and expertise, and evolving markets for power
for transportation vehicles. Although Azure believes that the expectations and
assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because
Azure can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since
forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very
nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors
and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with
Azure's early stage of development, lack of product revenues and history of
losses, requirements for additional financing, uncertainty as to commercial
viability, uncertainty as to product development and commercialization
milestones being met, uncertainty as to the market for Azure's products and
unproven acceptance of Azure's technology, competition for capital, product
market and personnel, uncertainty as to target markets, dependence upon third
parties, changes in environmental laws or policies, uncertainty as to patent
and proprietary rights, availability of management and key personnel, and
acquisition integration risk. These risks are set out in more detail in
Azure's annual information form which can be accessed at www.sedar.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made
as of the date hereof and Azure undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable
securities laws.
-30-
/For further information: Media Contacts: Azure Dynamics, Jay Sandler,
jsandler@azuredynamics.com, (734) 679-6858; AT&T, Channing Barringer,
cbarringer@voxglobal.com, (202) 955-6180; Ford Motor Company, Jennifer Moore,
jmoor186@Ford.com, (313) 248-2335/
|
NEWS RELEASES