In this role, AM General, will be responsible for final assembly of the Transit Connect Electric for the North American market from its engineering and product development center in Livonia, Michigan.
The Michigan Economic Development (MEDC) provided Azure Dynamics with incentive funding to encourage the selection of a Michigan based partner. Further MEDC High Technology Mega Tax credits may be available based on specific job creation criteria.
AM General will receive Transit Connect ‘gliders’ from the Ford manufacturing location in Turkey, and Force Drive electric components from Azure and supplier facilities in North America.
The current production plan includes an initial quantity of vehicles to be built in late 2010 with full production scheduled to begin in April 2011.
Transit Connect Electric is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Battery power is provided to the drive motor through the electric powertrain’s motor controller. Throttle input from the driver converts DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor.
Transit Connect Electric converts AC power to DC power to charge the battery in six to eight hours at 240V and has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge, the company said.
Curt Huston, chief operating officer of Azure Dynamics, said: “Our hierarchy for facility selection criteria began by identifying a partner with the proven technical expertise and high quality standards that both Azure and Ford customers expect.
”Secondly, we wanted a facility in Southeast Michigan that capitalized on the area’s highly skilled automotive workforce and available manufacturing capacity. AM General fit the bill and we are delighted to add their capabilities and know-how to this revolutionary vehicle program.”
