Azure Signs 8 More Ford Dealers for Hybrids

2 November 2008

Azure Dynamics Corporation has signed Sales & Service agreements with eight additional Ford dealerships to represent Azure’s Balance Hybrid Electric commercial truck. This brings the total number of dealerships to fourteen since the enrollment program began in June.

Azure Dynamics entered an agreement with Ford Motor Company in 2006 enabling Azure to develop a hybrid electric powertrain for Ford’s E-series commercial platform. (Earlier post.)

The Balance Hybrid Electric system is integrated on Ford’s E450 Cutaway and Strip Chassis drive system and utilizes a conventional 5.4 liter Triton gasoline engine and 5-speed automatic TorqShift transmission. The hybrid powertrain features electric-launch up to 20 mph, and engine-off at idle, while electronically supporting key ancillary functions like air conditioning, power steering and braking. The powertrain can improve fuel economy by up to 40%, while reducing carbon emissions up to 30% in city conditions.

The new dealerships are:

• Badger Truck Center, Milwaukee, WI;
• Boyer Ford Trucks, Minneapolis, MN;
• Grande Ford, San Antonio, TX;
• Northside Truck and Equipment, Portland, OR;
• Sherway Ford, Toronto, ON;
• Sopp Ford, Los Angeles, CA;
• Tuttle Click Ford, Irvine, CA;

Azure is shooting for approximately 50 dealers in major markets in the US and Canada. The dealerships will maintain inventory of ready-to-deliver Cube Vans and Walk-in Vans equipped with Azure’s hybrid electric powertrains.