OAK PARK, Michigan,
October 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- Azure announces Ford dealer representation for Transit Connect Electric
sales and service agreements in Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden.
- Along with previously announced dealer appointments in U.K., Germany and
Norway, Azure now has sales locations in six European countries.
- By partnering with market-leading dealerships that often have multiple
store locations, Azure now has 13 European dealer relationships with 57
distinct store locations.
- With European governments encouraging broader EV adoption, Azure has
dealerships in five capital cities.
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
light and medium duty commercial vehicles, today announced three
new dealership sales and service agreements for the innovative Ford
Transit Connect Electric. These new agreements bring additional
sales and service locations in Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden and increase the total dealership
locations in Europe to 57.
"We continue to receive strong demand for Transit Connect
Electric from various businesses throughout Europe," said Ricardo
Espinosa, Azure's managing director in Europe. "Each European country has its own set
of rules and regulations regarding sales and service activity for
new commercial vehicles. As we establish new dealerships, Azure
Dynamics and its Transit Connect Electric essentially become 'open
for business' for customers in each new country."
"Further, Azure targets dealer partners who are established Ford
commercial vehicle leaders in strategically significant markets,
each of whom has experience of supplying to commercial and
government buyers - many of whom have already expressed an interest
in acquiring the innovative Transit Connect Electric. Therefore,
Azure gains access to new markets quickly and efficiently."
Azure's previously announced relationship with Oslo, Norway's RhoneSelmer Ford dealership
resulted in more than 150 vehicle orders during its first five
months of operation.
The new dealerships are:
- MVC Automotive Amsterdam B.V. located in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Aredea Auto B.V. with three dealerships in Rotterdam, Hoofddorp and Amersfoort,
Netherlands
- Upplands Motor Stockholm AB located in Stockholm Sweden
- Cegeac SA/NV located in Brussels,
Belgium. Cegeac also adds sales and service for customers in
Luxembourg
With governments encouraging the adoption of electrified
transportation to lower both refueling costs and greenhouse
emissions, Azure Dynamics now has dealerships in the capital cities
of Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Oslo
and Stockholm.
"The electric vehicle is at ease in city centers where the
majority of commercial delivery operations reside," said Thierry
Vanderschrick, MD at Cegeac. "With its size and load capacity and
strong reputation, along with the benefits of its electrified
powertrain, we believe Transit Connect Electric is the best
available solution for our customers in Belgium and Luxembourg wanting EV commercial
vehicles."
The conventional Transit Connect was first introduced in
Europe in 2002 and has
conclusively proven itself to be a versatile vehicle for real world
commercial customers seeking its unique combination of car-like
driving dynamics, significant cargo capacity, accessibility and
dependability. The all-electric Transit Connect Electric began
production in Europe earlier this
year and addresses Europe's high
energy costs while offering substantial environmental benefits for
society at large. Since the Transit Connect Electric was introduced
in North America in December 2010, Azure has received more than 460
orders for Transit Connect Electric worldwide.
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 http://www.azuredynamics.com.
The TSX Exchange does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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
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 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 historical product revenues,
uncertainty as to product development and sales milestones being
met, product defect and performance risks, competition for capital
and market share, uncertainty as to target markets, dependence upon
third parties, changes in environmental laws or policies,
uncertainty as to patent and proprietary rights, availability and
retention of management and key personnel, exchange rate and
currency fluctuations, uncertainties relating to potential delays
or changes in plans with respect to product development or capital
expenditures, the ability of Azure to access sufficient capital on
acceptable terms, and environmental and safety risks. This is not
an exhaustive list and additional information on these risks and
other factors that could affect Azure's operations and financial
results are included in reports on file with the Canadian
securities regulatory authorities and can be accessed through the
SEDAR website at http://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. Additionally, Azure undertakes no
obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made
by, third parties about Azure.
For further information:
Gary Whittam,
sales and marketing director
+44(0)7562-767001
Email: gwhittam@azuredynamics.com
Patrick Liebler,
Liebler Group,
+1-248-229-4418
Email: pat@lieblergroup.com
(AZD. AZDDF)
