Norwegian Post Becomes First Customer for Ford Transit
Connect Electric

Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics announce that Norwegian Post becomes
the first European customer of the Ford Transit Connect Electric with order of 20
units

The all-electric, zero-emission Ford Transit Connect Electric van has a targeted
range of up to 130 km (80 miles) per full charge, and is ideal for fleet owners with
well-defined routes

Transit Connect Electric is the first of five new electrified vehicles Ford is bringing to
market in Europe by 2013, including the Ford Focus Electric debuting next year
OSLO, NORWAY, March 22, 2011 – Ford (NYSE:F) and Azure Dynamics Corporation
(TSX:AZD) have confirmed their first European customer for the zero-emission Ford Transit
Connect Electric van. Norwegian Post today signed a contract to purchase 20 Transit Connect
Electric vehicles, with an option to order more vehicles in the future. Norwegian Post is the
largest provider of mail and logistics services and the biggest employer in Norway.
“The Norwegian Post will be an environmental leader in the mail and logistics industry by taking
advantage of the latest technology available,” said Dag Mejdell, CEO, Norwegian Post. “In
signing a contract for delivery of the new Ford Transit Connect Electric, the Norwegian Post is
taking an important step towards its goal of reducing 150.000 tonnes of CO2 annually.”
Ford and Azure are introducing the Transit Connect Electric in summer 2011, as increasing
numbers of fleet operators are demanding the benefits of efficient, clean alternative power for
their vehicles.
With 28 kWh of power to call on, Transit Connect Electric has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph)
and a range of up to 130 km (80 miles) on a full charge.
“Transit Connect Electric was designed and engineered with customers like Norwegian Post in
mind,” said Scott Harrison, Azure CEO. “The ForceDriveTM powertrain excels under the types of
urban driving conditions that the Transit Connect Electric is likely to encounter during postal
delivery routes. We’re honoured to have Norwegian Post as our inaugural customer in Europe
and are eager to help them achieve the environmental, operational and performance goals that
they seek.”
Ford’s Global Electric vehicle plan
The Ford Transit Connect Electric – Ford’s first all-electric vehicle in Europe – is the first of five
electrified vehicles that Ford plans to launch in Europe by 2013. Next comes the Ford Focus
Electric in 2012, followed by the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, as well as
another hybrid electric model in 2013.
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“By providing a variety of electrified vehicles, we are making it easier for our customers to
embrace this fuel-saving technology,” said Thormod Skofsrud, managing director, Ford Norway.
"This strategy is true to our heritage of making innovative technology available to as many
people as possible and to our vision of developing great products.”
Practical and affordable
Transit Connect Electric will offer European operators the opportunity to eliminate petrol bills in
their small vans and help to lower overall maintenance and running costs.
Ford’s Transit Connect commercial platform is an ideal choice for battery electric power thanks
to its unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, generous cargo capacity, easy
accessibility and low operation costs.
With a cargo volume 3.8 m3 and a payload of 500 kg, Transit Connect Electric will particularly
appeal to operators who travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop and go driving.
Transit Connect Electric can be recharged using standard European 220/240-volt outlets in
approximately eight hours. Commercial van users generally return to a central location at the
end of a driving cycle perfect for recharging over night.
Zero emissions
The Transit Connect Electric is a pure electric-powered version of the award-winning, longwheelbase Transit Connect light commercial vehicle. Azure’s proprietary Force Drive™
powertrain uses an advanced lithium ion battery pack designed by Johnson Controls-Saft to
power the vehicle that produces zero tailpipe emissions.
Azure’s ForceDriveTM powertrain has previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle
integrations and has more than 35 million miles of on-the-road experience.
Tried and tested
The Transit Connect Electric goes on sale in European markets this summer following its
successful launch in North America in December 2010.
'Glider' units - complete vehicles except for the powertrain - are shipped from the Ford Otosan
manufacturing facility in Kocaeli, Turkey, directly to an Azure-contracted up-fitter for final
assembly. The completed Transit Connect Electric vehicles are then sold by Azure Dynamics
through a specially-created network of dealerships. The European Transit Connect Electric will
be badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure’s Force Drive logo.
Transit Connect Electric builds on an existing relationship between Ford and Azure and battery
supplier Johnson Controls-Saft.
“Transit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our
hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the
laboratory to the street,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product
Development. “Not only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an
important part of Ford’s future.”
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Transit Connect Electric Technical data
Body
 'Glider' assembly at Ford Otosan plant in Kocaeli, Turkey
 Final assembly by Azure Dynamics Corporation
Propulsion architecture
 Siemens AC induction motor, Azure Dynamics inverter
 Borg-Warner transaxle, Johnson Controls-Saft battery pack
 System voltage range 260V – 380V
Electric drive system
 Motor Siemens model 135, 3-phase AC induction motor, 300V nominal, liquid-cooled
 Torque 158 Nm (continuous) / 235 Nm (peak)
 Transmission Borg-Warner 31-03, single-speed
 Gear ratio 8.28:1
 IEC 62196 type 1
Battery
 Johnson Controls-Saft lithium-ion pack
 Capacity 28 kWh, 16 modules / (192 cells)
 Voltage range 215V – 390V / charger – 3.3 kW
Weights and capacities
 Maximum payload 500 kg
 Curb weight 1791 kg (est.)
 Cargo volume 3.8 m3
Performance
 Driving range up to 130 km (80 miles) per full charge
 Charge time of around 8 hours for full cycle using 230 V
 Top speed 120 km/h (75 mph)
 Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 12 seconds (based on kerb weight)
 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in 15 seconds (based on gross vehicle weight rating)
###
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 164,000 employees
and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln.
The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordmotorcompany.com.
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Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51
individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor
Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22
manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in
1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
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.
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Note: This information reflects preliminary specifications and was correct at the time of going to print.
However, Ford policy is one of continuous product improvement. The right is reserved to change these
details at any time.
Forward-Looking Statements Advisory
Certain information included in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements and information
and future-oriented financial information under applicable securities legislation and is provided for the
purpose of expressing management’s current expectations and plans for the future. Readers are
cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making
investment decisions.
More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning Azure’s anticipated: business
development strategy, customer orders, product deliveries, sales, revenue and revenue growth. The
forward-looking statements are based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by Azure,
including expectations and assumptions concerning achievement of current timetables for development
programs and sales, 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 used to develop
the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forwardlooking 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
numerous risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the projections and forecasts in the
forward-looking statements will not occur and that actual performance or results could differ materially
from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, the risks associated with Azure's stage of development, history of losses and lack of
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included in reports on file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and can be accessed
through the SEDAR website 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
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statements made by, third parties about Azure.
Contact: Volker Eis
Ford of Europe
+49 221 9019096
veis@ford.com
Contact: Gary Whittam
Azure Dynamics, Europe
+44 (0) 1277 725 652
gwhittam@azuredynamics.com
Contact: Pat Liebler
Liebler Group
248-229-4418
pat@lieblergroup.com
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