Azure Dynamics Corp. (AZDDQ)

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Ford to unveil electric Transit Connect van today (02/09/2010)
Ford will unveil an electric version of its award-winning Transit Connect van today, a move that is expected to create new jobs in metro Detroit and boost the small local company Azure Dynamics Corp.

The Transit Connect Electric commercial van and Transit Connect Taxi powered by compressed natural gas, both based on the Transit Connect that won North American Truck of the Year for 2009, are expected to go on sale late this year.

The Transit Connect Electric will be the first electric vehicle for both Ford and Azure, though the companies already work together on gas-electric hybrids. It will have a top speed of 75 miles per hour and an expected range of up to 80 miles on a full charge.

Ford plans to have three more electric vehicles for sale by 2012. Those include the Focus electric in 2011 and two models as yet undisclosed: a plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012 and a next-generation hybrid that same year (Brent Snavely, Detroit Free Press, Feb. 9). -- TL