Electric carmaker Think and Itochu Corporation have announced an expanded partnership for marketing and distribution of the EVs and their drive system in Asia.
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The two companies have been in a cooperative relationship since last year on projects which have served as test beds to validate how battery, vehicle and grid technology function together in real world environments.
One project in Japan involves Family Mart – the chain of convenience stores in which Itochu is a major shareholder, and Mazda Motors – one of many car companies in which Itochu has a minority equity stake. Using the Ener1 battery and Think drive-train technology, a fleet of Mazda 2 (Demio in Japan) vehicles was electrified for trial in the project in under three months.
Following the success of these projects, Itochu has taken a stake in Think to formalise the partnership and further develop marketing and distribution opportunities for its urban vehicle and drivetrain business in Asia.
Itochu president and CEO Masahiro Okafuji said: “The demonstration projects are already delivering strong results, giving us the confidence to bring similar projects to other Itochu businesses. This will bring growth in Asia for all concerned parties – particularly those with the technology – in this case Think and Ener1.”
Think CEO Richard Canny said the strategic alliance represents more than selling the Think City cars in Asia.
“Itochu will also be marketing our EV drive system in the business to business sector. The latest generation drive system, the G4 EV drive controller, is now in full scale production in Europe and ready to be commercialised. Itochu’s involvement as an industry heavyweight can only accelerate the growth of this new business line.”
The G4 is the fourth generation drive train from the company with a power electronics system that integrates the battery powering the vehicle and the motor that drives it.
European production of the City continues in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive which also assembles Porsche Boxster and Cayman models under contract.
The City is already being delivered to customers in the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.
Think has also announced plans to establish a US production facility during 2011 in Elkhart County, Indiana, and is developing operations in Asia.
