Azure Dynamics - macht EV-Antriebsstrang - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

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COMPANY PROFILE
AZD has developed proprietary electric and hybrid electric drive technology for the light to heavy duty commercial vehicle categories.

AZD has expertise in the areas of vehicle controls software, power electronics, electric machine design, vehicle systems engineering and vehicle integration. The principal business of AZD is the supply of hybrid electric vehicle and electric vehicle control and powertrain systems.

AZD also has an established portfolio of proprietary component products that compliment its core technical skills and makes use of an extensive industry supplier base to offer complete power train solutions to our target markets including delivery vans, shuttle buses and electric drive applications.

AZD is certified to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System standard. Our certification and compliance to ISO 9001 standards and requirements demonstrates the maturity of our quality management system, and our commitment to ensure the highest level of quality in the products and services we provide.

AZD is a public company (TSX:AZD & OTC:AZDDF) headquartered in Detroit with offices in Boston, Toronto, Vancouver and London.


OUR BRAND
We are a solutions partner driving a world of difference for our customers and our planet. To reinforce this identity we have focused our core philosophy on Best People, Best Partners, Tomorrow's Technology and Today's Solution. We have made a commitment to make a difference—every day in every way.

The total integration of our identity, behavior, and core values allows us to uphold the essential promise of our brand: to be the world leader in developing proprietary electric and hybrid electric drive technology for commercial vehicles.

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Azure Dynamics Receives 27 Transit Connect Electric orders from FedEx Express, DTE and others
Oak Park, Michigan – May 24, 2011

– Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) (“Azure” or the “Company”), a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, today announced 27 Ford Transit Connect Electric van sales, including a five unit sale to returning customer FedEx Express, a four unit sale to the City of Toronto, a three unit sale to DTE Energy, one of Michigan’s largest energy suppliers, and 15 unit sales to various Ford commercial truck dealers.

“These new orders underscore several key drivers in the electric vehicle market expansion,” said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. “Some major vehicle fleets like Azure customers’ FedEx, AT&T, Canada Post, Post Norway, etc, are employing specific quantities of Transit Connect Electric vans to gain operational experience with the technology in advance of expected increased deployment. Energy producers like Azure customers’ DTE, SoCal Edison, NYPA, Xcel and others are using the vans to help them understand necessary energy production and distribution requirements related to the increasing national fleet of EV vehicles. Last, our Ford dealership partners are eager to meet interest from their customers who are seeking the operational benefits that the Transit Connect Electric promises.”

At FedEx Express, the Transit Connect Electric will be part of one of the world’s hardest working vehicle fleets providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. The five vans, ordered through Holman Ford Lincoln in Pennsauken, NJ, will further the FedEx goal of decreasing environmental impact in day-to-day operations.

DTE Energy, headquartered in Michigan and one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies, is dramatically and rapidly expanding its use of alternatively-fueled vehicles in its fleets. The three vans, ordered through Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, MI, will join DTE’s fleet are among the first pure EV vehicles that the company will employ.

The City of Toronto, another returning Azure Dynamics customer, ordered four Transit Connect Electric vans through Eastcourt Ford Lincoln in Agincourt, ONT.

FedEx Express and the City of Toronto had previously acquired Azure’s BalanceTM Hybrid Electric drivetrain demonstrating that commercial fleet customers may deploy multiple alternative energy technologies to serve various fleet needs. The BalanceTM Hybrid Electric has a 60% market share in the medium duty (Class 2c – 5) hybrid commercial truck market in North America.

An additional 15 Transit Connect Electric vans were sold to a variety of Ford commercial truck dealers who will use the vehicles as customer demonstrators to increase awareness and appreciation of the product with potential customers. These dealerships, representing locations across North America, include:

• Green Mountain Power though Heritage Ford, South Burlington, VT
• Johnson Controls through Heiser Ford Lincoln, Glendale, WI
• ThyssenKrupp Elevators through Sutton Ford Lincoln Mercury, Matteson, IL
• University of Toronto through Oak-land Ford Lincoln, Oakville, ONT
• Westar Energy through Olathe Ford Lincoln (2 units), Olathe, KS
• Folsom Lake Ford, Folsom, CA
• Gary Yeomans Ford Lincoln Mazda, Daytona Beach, FL
• Mission Valley Ford, San Jose, CA
• Midway Ford Truck Center, Kansas City, MO
• Pearson Ford, Zionsville, IN
• Sanderson Ford, Glendale, AZ
• Suburban Ford, Sterling Heights, MI
• Trans-West Truck Center, Fontana, CA
• Van Bortel Ford Inc, East Rochester, NY

The Ford Transit Connect Electric utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls to achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle 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. Use of the vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Azure Dynamics Reports Record 2010 4th Quarter and Full Year Revenues / - Fourth quarter 2010 revenues up three-fold to $13.4 million from $4.4 million and gross margin improves $3.2M year over year


OAK PARK, Michigan, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Dynamics Corporation , a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles, today announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010. The Company also provided an update on corporate and product development activities during the year.

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 205% to $13.4 million compared to $4.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2010 revenue increased 133% to $21.9 million compared to $9.4 million in 2009. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 totaled $10.8 million, or $(0.02) per share compared to a loss of $8.0 million or $(0.02) per share in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company''s net loss was $28.1 million, or $(0.05) per share, compared to a net loss of $27.8 million, or $(0.07) per share in 2009.

"We are very pleased with our record fourth quarter and full year revenues, which met our expectations despite a sluggish, but improving commercial truck market," said Scott Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics. "During the fourth quarter, we shipped a record 381 vehicles, including 30 Transit Connect Electric vehicles, which were more than our entire 2009 vehicles shipments of 335 units and demonstrates the strength of our business model. We are winning with new and repeat customers and showing it with significant revenue growth - growth that we expect to be even more dramatic in 2011."

Before contributions, the Company''s engineering, research and development ("R&D") expenses in the fourth quarter totaled $7.5 million (including $4.0 million in product development costs), compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2009 (including $2.9 million in product development costs). For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company''s engineering and R&D expenses totaled $24.9 million (including $13.6 million in product development costs) compared to $15.7 million in 2009 (including $6.1 million in product development costs).

"Our most notable accomplishment in 2010 was the development and initial deliveries of the innovative Transit Connect Electric," Harrison said. "Just 13 months after the program was officially announced, 30 Transit Connect Electric vans were shipped to LEAD customers and to European constituencies. This incredibly short product development time highlights our technological know-how and product flexibility and bodes well for our future in a dynamic industry."

As of December 31, 2010, the Company''s cash and cash equivalents totaled $11.8 million and working capital totaled $9.6 million. Additionally, in October, 2010, the Company obtained a $4 million credit facility to provide an additional source to help fund working capital requirements.

Subsequent to year-end, on February 8, 2011, the Company closed on the sale of 61.0 million common shares which resulted in $20.1 million of gross proceeds to fund its ongoing product development and commercialization efforts as well as general corporate purposes.

"With our stronger balance sheet and the added financial flexibility, we believe Azure is well positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for our products and on the opportunities to integrate our technology onto additional market leading commercial vehicles," Harrison concluded. "Additionally, with the threat of continued higher fuel prices, the growing concern for the environment and continued government incentive programs, Azure''s outlook is promising."

2010 and Year-To-Date Highlights

- On February 8, 2011, Azure announced agreements with 76 additional dealerships to represent Azure''s innovative products including the Transit Connect Electric and the Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric in key markets across North America bringing the total number of dealerships in the Azure program to 103.

- On January 18, 2011, Azure announced that it has received an order for 50 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric units from a world leading logistics organization. The customer also previously submitted Azure''s single largest Transit Connect Electric order of 30 units.

- On January 17, 2011, Azure announced that Purolator had placed an order for 600 units - the single largest order for Azure technology. 200 units will be delivered in 2011 with an additional 200 units scheduled in both 2012 and 2013, subject to annual authorizations by Purolator. The initial 200 units will be built and delivered primarily in the third and fourth quarters of 2011.

- On December 16, Azure announced closing of the LEAD customer program after achieving its objective of identifying ten premiere vehicle fleets to place early units in 2010 with volume orders for fulfillment in 2011. Those ten LEAD customers accounted for nearly 150 Transit Connect Electric vehicles.

- On December 7, Azure, in collaboration with Ford Motor Company and AM General, announced the early production and first deliveries of the Transit Connect Electric vans just 13 months after the collaboration to develop the zero-emission vehicle was first announced.

- On October 22, Azure announced the appointment of John Formisano to its Board of Directors. Formisano recently retired from Federal Express Corporation where he served as Vice President - Global Vehicles. Formisano is also Chairman of the Board of CALSTART, the leading catalyst organization for the global clean transportation technology industry.

- On October 5th, Azure Dynamics secured a $4 million credit facility from Silicon Valley Bank to support the company''s growth strategy and provide financial flexibility.

- On September 22, a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Johnson Controls Inc. purchased approximately 21,080,000 common shares and Azure received gross proceeds of $6,324,000. Johnson Controls is also a Transit Connect Electric LEAD customer.

- On May 26, 2010, Cintas Corporation purchased 100 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric Walk in Vans for deployment at its California facilities and therefore qualify for the state''s Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program funding with incentives of $25,000 per unit.

- On May 18, AM General was selected to upfit the base Ford Transit Connect with the Azure Force Drive(TM) electric drive train components. The final assembly will be completed at an AM General Engineering and Product Development Center in Livonia, Michigan.

- On May 3, Azure and Ford Motor Company announced plans to expand the Transit Connect Electric program to the European market capitalizing on the Transit Connect''s successful history in Europe.

- On February 10, the Transit Connect Electric made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Azure collaborated with Ford Motor Company to introduce the Transit Connect Electric, a pure electric powered version of the 2010 North American Truck of the Year.

- During the fourth quarter of 2010, Azure shipped 381 units, a 114% increase over the 178 units shipped in the same period a year ago. 2010 shipments total 832 units, a 148% increase over the 335 units sold during 2009. 2010 marquis customers include Purolator, Cintas Corporation, Schwans, Illinois Department of Transportation, King County, WA Federal Transit Administration, TruGreen and the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

2011 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

The global light and medium duty commercial truck markets are expected to continue their gradual recovery during 2011. The Transit Connect Electric has been successfully introduced in North America and in Europe with the manufacturing launch scheduled for April and June, respectively. Based on the Company''s current backlog and future order expectations, 2011 revenues are expected to be in a range of $52 million to $68 million. The Company expects 2011 results to be significantly stronger in the second half of the year due to the launch of Transit Connect Electric, as well as the first and second quarters being typically the slowest due to the seasonality of order flow. Unit volume for 2011 is expected to be in the range of 1,300 to 1,500 units, consisting of approximately 700 to 800 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric drive-trains and LEEP systems and 600 to 700 Force Drive(TM) Electric drive-trains for the Transit Connect Electric.

The Company''s complete fiscal 2010 audited year-end financial statements and MD&A are available at http://www.sedar.com or on the Company''s website at http://www.azuredynamics.com.

Azure will host a conference call to discuss 2010 earnings today, Wednesday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m. eastern daylight time. Interested listeners can access the call toll free at 1-888-227-6699 and should call in at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. Interested participants from outside North America can participate in the call by dialing [phone].

[christian76]

07.04.2011 | 07:09 Uhr
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Azure Dynamics gibt erste europäische Verkaufsvertretung und 38 Verkäufe des Transit Connect Electric bekannt

Oak Park, Michigan (ots/PRNewswire) - Basierend auf der gleichen erfolgreichen Vertriebsstrategie, welche auch in Nordamerika angewandt wurde, gab Azure Dynamics Corporation heute bekannt, dass es die RohneSelmer Company AS in Oslo (Norwegen) als seine erste offizielle europäische Verkaufsvertretung für den Verkauf und für Dienstleistungen für den Transit Connect Electric Van ernannt hat. Die Verkaufsvertretung hat sofort eine Bestellung für 38 Transit Connect Electric Vans aufgegeben, womit insgesamt 58 Bestellungen für den Van aufgegeben wurden. RohneSelmer unterstützt Azures erste Verkäufe von 20 Vans des Transit Connect Electric an Post Norway. Das Unternehmen verfügt über umfangreiche Serviceerfahrung bei batteriebetriebenen Elektrofahrzeugen in seinen drei Aussenstellen, die sich in und um Oslo herum befinden. Rohneselmer ist ein Familienunternehmen mit einer mehr als 75-jährigen Geschichte als Ford-Händler.

"Wir sind sehr erfreut darüber, dass wir eine europäische Verkaufsvertretung mit der Prominenz von RohneSelmer als Mitglied unseres weltweiten Netzwerks an Transit Connect Electric-Verkaufsvertretungen für die Unterstützung unserer europäischen Produkteinführung im Juni gewinnen konnten", erklärte Scott Harrison, Azure CEO. "Seit der Eröffnung unserer Niederlassung in Europa im letzten Monat hat das Interesse von europäischen kommerziellen und privaten Flottenbetreibern weiter zugenommen. Der Verkauf von 58 Transit Connect Electric Vans in solch einem kurzen Zeitraum bekräftigt dieses Interesse. Darüber hinaus ist es viel sagend, dass RohneSelmer unbedingt 26 Transit Connect Electric Vans bestellen wollte und bestellt hat, um die Kundennachfrage zu erfüllen, zieht man auch deren lange erfolgreiche Geschichte als einer der ältesten Ford-Händler in Norwegen in Betracht."

Azures Strategie in Europa ist es, Partnerschaften mit sorgfältig ausgewählten Ford-Händlern zu etablieren, um hochqualitative Verkaufs- und Servicemassnahmen für den Transit Connect Electric anzubieten. In Nordamerika verfügt Azure über mehr als 100 solche Händlerbeziehungen.

Der Geschäftsleiter für Europa, Ricardo Espinosa, erklärte: "Wir freuen uns darüber, bei der Ausweitung unserer Präsenz in Europa mit dem Team von RohneSelmer zusammenarbeiten zu können. Wir brauchen Partner wie diese, die mit Leidenschaft und Einsatz arbeiten und die über die Vision verfügen, diesen neuen Bereich in ganz Europa wachsen zu sehen."

Christian August Selmer, Vorstandsmitglied der RohneSelmer Company, fügte hinzu: "Wir sind in Bezug auf das Potenzial des Transit Connect Electric Vans sehr enthusiastisch und sind ausgesprochen erfreut, dass wir einer der ersten Partnerhändler sind, die an diesem Verkaufsprogramm teilnehmen. Unsere Erfahrung mit Post Norway zeigt, dass das Fahrzeug über die wichtigen Umwelt- und Leistungsmerkmale verfügt, die unsere Kunden wollen. Unsere Fahrzeugbestellungen basieren auf der Erwartung, dass das Interesse weiterhin hoch sein wird."

Azure wird mit der Montage der Transit Connect Electric Vans im Juni 2011 im Werk Lotus Lightweight Structures in Worcester (Vereinigtes Königreich) beginnen. Die fertiggestellten Vans werden nach ganz Europa versandt, wobei sich Norwegen früh als führender Markt hervorgetan hat.

Zur Herstellung des Transit Connect Electric verwendet Azure seinen bewährten Force DriveTM Elektroantrieb im preisgekrönten Ford Transit Connect. Durch die Verwendung eines modernen Lithium-Ionen-Akku von Johnson Controls-Saft kann der Transit Connect Electric eine Reichweite von bis zu 130 km/80 Meilen bei einmaligem Aufladen schaffen, und das Fahrzeug verfügt über eine Ladekapazität von 500 kg.

Eine einzigartige Kombination aus einer auto-ähnlichen Fahrdynamik, einer robusten Ladekapazität und niedrigen Betriebskosten machen den Transit Connect Electric Van zu einer idealen Wahl für kommerzielle Flottenbetreiber, die darauf aus sind, ihre Betriebskosten zu senken, und die den Einfluss ihres Geschäfts auf die Umwelt reduzieren wollen.

Der Elektroantrieb des Transit Connect bietet einen leistungsstarken Vorteil für kommerzielle Fahrzeugnutzer, welche Fahrzyklen aufweisen, die sich durch oftmals vorhersehbare, kurze Strecken mit regelmässigen Stops/Starts auszeichen, und die vorwiegend in der Stadt bzw. in urbanen Gegenden fahren.

Für weiterführende Informationen darüber, wie Azure Dynamics die Welt verändert, besuchen Sie bitte http://www.azuredynamics.com.

Informationen über Azure Dynamics

Azure Dynamics Corporation ist weltweit führend in der Entwicklung und Produktion von Hybridelektronik und Elektronikkomponenten sowie von Antriebssystemen für kommerzielle Fahrzeuge. Azure zielt strategisch auf den Markt der kommerziellen Lieferfahrzeuge und Pendelbusse ab, und arbeitet international derzeit mit einer Vielzahl von Partnern und Kunden zusammen. Das Unternehmen hat sich der Bereitstellung von innovativen, kosteneffektiven, umweltfreundlichen und energiesparenden Lösungen für seine Kunden und Partner verschrieben. Für weiterführende Informationen Informationen besuchen Sie bitte http://www.azuredynamics.com.

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[christian76]

Ford Transit Connect Electric ab sofort in Deutschland bestellbar -
E-Mobility-21.de


Hamburger Ford-Händler unterzeichnet Handels- und Servicevertrag mit Azure Dynamics



Köln (ampnet/Sm), 15. Juni 2011 - Das Autohaus Hugo Pfohe GmbH in Hamburg unterzeichnete jetzt als erster Ford-Händler in Deutschland einen Handels- und Servicevertrag mit dem US-amerikanischen Unternehmen Azure Dynamics.

Damit ist das batterielektrisch betriebene leichte Nutzfahrzeug Ford Transit Connect Electric ab sofort in Deutschland bestellbar.

Im Rahmen der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Ford Europa und dem US-amerikanischen Unternehmen Azure Dynamics liefert Ford die Serienfahrzeuge des Ford Transit Connect, die dann von Azure Dynamics, dem Weltmarktführer für Elektro- und Hybridantriebe im Nutzfahrzeugbereich, auf den Elektrobetrieb umgerüstet werden. „Die europäische Version des Ford Transit Connect Electric wird ab Juni 2011 produziert, nun soll dieses leichte Nutzfahrzeug europaweit so schnell wie möglich in den Handel gelangen“, sagte Ricardo Espinosa, Managing Director, Azure Dynamics, Europa.

Besonders geeignet ist der Ford Transit Connect Electric für den Kurzstreckenbetrieb mit vielen Fahrunterbrechungen, beispielsweise im Stadtverkehr. Mit seiner Kombination aus hoher Laderaumkapazität und geringen Unterhaltskosten ist der Ford Transit Connect Electric interessant für deutsche Flottenbetreiber, die Kosten senken wollen und zugleich einen Beitrag für die Umwelt leisten möchten. Angetrieben wird der Ford Transit Connect Electric von dem Force DriveTM –Elektromotor, mit dem eine maximale Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 120 km/h erreicht wird. Die notwendige Energie bezieht der Ford Transit Connect Electric aus Lithiumionen-Batteriepaketen von Johnson Controls (Batteriezellen von Saft) mit einer Speicherkapazität von 28 Kilowattstunden. Damit bietet der Transporter bei einer Nutzlast von 500 Kilogramm eine Reichweite von bis zu 130 Kilometern. Der Ladeprozess ist – je nach dem Entladezustand der Batterie – in rund acht Stunden abgeschlossen.

Praktische Erfahrungen mit dem Ford Connect Electric werden derzeit im Rahmen des Modellprojektes „colognE-mobil“ in Köln gesammelt. Innerhalb dieser Kooperation zwischen den Ford-Werken, dem Energieversorger RheinEnergie, der Stadt Köln sowie der Universität Duisburg-Essen kommen in Köln neben zehn Ford Transit BEV auch zehn Ford Transit Connect Electric zum Einsatz. (rs)