Even Though Think is Bankrupt, Some Cars Remain for Sale

If you were smitten by the little electric Think City and thought the company's recent bankruptcy put the kibosh on your chances of ever owning one of the plastic-paneled car, then *ahem, think again. It seems there are still some of the city runabouts to be had if you look in the right place.

One such location is Green Wheels in Chicago, IL. The dealership, as the name suggests, specializes in all-electric and hybrid vehicles and has a couple post-rebated demos on hand they can sell for as low as $17,995. If you're willing to lay out $31,500 for a brand-new one – and remember, there are rebates still available in some states that can bring that initial sticker down below $20,000 – they have a couple of those as well and say that they have access to more. While that price is nicely down from the pre-bankruptcy $36,495 MSRP, it's a little uncomfortably close to that of the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i. Still, we liked the little coupe when we drove it and for some, this car just might be the bee's knees.

If you do happen to make the trip to Green Wheels, you might also get a chance to see the BYD e6 in person. The dealership will be offering the Chinese all-electric crossover later this year and already has one on the lot you can look over.



Source: Autoblog Green

Battery maker EnerDel under fire over Think claims

When electric vehicle maker Think filed for bankruptcy last spring, it owed millions of dollars to EnerDel subsidiary Ener1. Ener1 was also a major investor in Think and a lot of the company's worth was tied up with the Norwegian EV maker. Any way you slice it, Think's failure put Ener1 in a bind. They were unable to collect on their debts, and their investments were suddenly worthless. Just recently, Ener1 was forced to restate their losses in 2010 from $69 million all the way up to $165 million as they factored in the departure of Think.

It follows that this was a big setback for investors in Ener1. According to many small investors in the company, it was also a big surprise. Investors have reported that Ener1 had been making positive statements about the condition of Think, leading those investors to overestimate the value of both Think and Ener1. As Ener1 was moving to restate its losses, investors were lining up to take the company to court. However, proving this type of case is often difficult and investors will have to show that Ener1 was both aware of Think's true condition and that they reported false information leading to a loss for the investors.

To complicate matters, Think has been acquired by a group headed by Russian investor Boris Zingarevich, who is also a major investor in Ener1. Zingarevich isn't exactly a newcomer on the scene, since he had a sizable stake in the company before it failed. So for the most part Think is operating under new ownership that's remarkably like the old ownership, Ener1 is still supplying the batteries, and both companies are still joined at the hip, but a lot of money has gone away.

Those TV viewers mourning the end of certain soap operas on daytime may find they can get similar enjoyment out of watching what happens next in this saga.



Source: Autoblog Green

Think Again: Bankrupt Electric Car Firm Heading To Turkey

Think City assembly plant, Elkhart, Indiana, Jan 2011

Enlarge Photo

If you’ve been following the fortunes of the Norwegian electric car company Think, you’ll know that it recently filed for bankruptcy, the fourth time in its 20 year history.

But if you thought the firm would disappear without trace then you’re in for disappointment as a little-known Turkish firm is in negotiations to rescue Think from becoming a footnote in the history books.

Enter BD Otomotive. The investment group with access to manufacturing facilities has said due diligence on a Think takeover is complete and it is ready to complete negotiations as soon as court-appointed law firm trustee Thommessen is ready.

Turkey has an auto industry?

While Turkey isn’t at the top of most people’s lists when it comes to countries with recognizable home-grown car brands, it currently produces large numbers of cars on license from companies like Fiat, Renault, Ford and Toyota.

In fact, Turkey produced more than a million cars and trucks last year, exporting over 754,000 of them all over the world.

Cut costs, trim excess fat

Assembly of Think City electric cars, Elkhart, Indiana, Jan 2011

Enlarge Photo

With a factory in Norway and one in Elkhart Indiana, Think’s overheads before it filed for bankruptcy were hardly small. Everything from salaries to the cost of factory space was reflected in the Think City’s $36,000 sticker price. When our John Voelcker visited the Elkhart factory earlier this year, the lines of cars told an sad story: the Think City wasn't selling well.

But with cheaper labor prices, lower business costs and a geographic location with great links to Asia and Europe, BD Otomotive hopes a Turkish-based operation can significantly cut the cost of making the Think City and make it both affordable and desirable.

Think, Fisker, BYD?

Look at the two other factory-built electric cars BD Otomotive claim to distribute alongside its range of converted commercial vehicles andthings get a little surreal.

Think City assembly plant, Elkhart, Indiana, Jan 2011

Enlarge Photo

Not only is the firm a distributor for the Fisker Karma, the elusive and exclusive luxury plug-in hybrid, but BD Otomotive also lists plug-in cars from BYD.

But neither Fisker nor BYD are known for particularly large numbers of cars, let alone selling them via third-party vendors, which makes us wonder just how many of each car BD Otomotive has sold to date.

Will Think survive its fourth bankruptcy in the arms of a Turkish savior, or is it being sent to the automotive equivalent of the island of misfit toys?

Source: All Cars Electric

EV maker Think files for bankruptcy in Norway

EV maker Think Global AS filed for bankruptcy Wednesday in Norway after failed attempts at recapitalization and restructuring. This is the fourth time Think has collapsed financially in its 20-year history.

“We needed some additional funding and although we had interested investors they were not able to come to table quickly enough,” Think spokesman James Andrews told Automotive News Europe.

The options for Think are either a liquidation of its assets or the sale of the company to a new investor, Andrews said.

Think sold 1,043 units of its City electric vehicle in 2010.

A court-appointed trustee from Oslo-based commercial law firm Thommessen took control of the company Wednesday afternoon. The trustee has responsibility for managing the company’s assets, including wholly owned US subsidiary Think North America, which has an EV production plant in Elkhart, Indiana. Although Think North America is a separate entity, it is financially supported by headquarters in Norway.

Source: Automotive News Europe

Think says GSA electric vehicle contract is "game changing"

PRESS RELEASE

THINK™, the world's leading dedicated electric vehicle manufacturer, announced today that it was awarded a contract to supply pure electric, zero-emission vehicles to the federal government. With a contract in hand from the U.S. General Services Administration, THINK is now open for business to the thousands of federal agencies that purchase or lease vehicles through the GSA each year.

May 26, 2011

The THINK City is the perfect vehicle for government fleet customers. With an enclosed climate-controlled cabin and a highway-capable top speed, the THINK City is a superior alternative to the thousands of low-speed electric vehicles that are leased by the military each year for use on bases and facilities. The electric car's low operating costs and 100-mile range also make it a good replacement for small cars that are part of the GSA's 200,000 vehicle leased fleet.

"The federal government is the largest purchaser of vehicles in the U.S.," said Lizabeth Ardisana, THINK director of sales, service and distribution. "If you want to sell vehicles to fleets, it's imperative to be on the GSA contract. This is a game changing contract for THINK."

Government involvement is critical to support and sustain the growing U.S. EV industry where major auto manufacturers have reported low sales and new manufacturers have delayed or cancelled product introductions.

"Today's announcement moves us one step closer to President Obama's goal of putting one million electric vehicles on the road in America by 2015," said Ardisana.

The next logical step in a policy designed to reduce America's reliance on imported petroleum by one-third and increase U.S. jobs is direct government purchases of electric vehicles. It follows loans and grants to manufacturers to support the commercialization of EV technology and grants made to cities to invest in electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure.

THINK, which delivered the first electric vehicles powered by American made advanced lithium-ion batteries to the State of Indiana last year, is pursuing a fleet-first approach to sales, service and market development. With predictable driving routes and centralized recharging and service, fleets are a natural fit for electric vehicles. Fleet operators see lower overall operating and maintenance costs and stable fuel costs as electric vehicle advantages. The THINK City also does not emit any carbon dioxide or other gases while in use – ideal for agencies that are trying to reach emission reduction targets set by the Administration.

How to Buy a Think City EV for $17,995

Think City EV inventory clearance – Click above to check out the available Citys

Would you be willing to part with $36,495 to own an electric Think City? If the words sticker shock come to mind, then how does $17,995* sound? Thankfully, there are deals like this to be had.

Right now, Think is offering select City EVs in its "inventory clearance" sale for as low as $17,995*. Here's a look at how this seemingly amazing deal works out:

• Think City MSRP: $35,495
• Destination and delivery charges: $1,000
• Total delivered price: $36,495
• Federal tax credit: - $7,500
• Estimated cost after federal credit: $28,995
• Oregon state tax credit: - $7,000
• Think ZEV discount: - $4,000
• Net transaction price: $17,995

But wait, there's a caveat. In states that don't offer tax credits, Think's $4,000 ZEV discount is no longer applicable, which seems counter-intuitive to us. So, for example, Michigan buyers will be asked to dish out $28,995 (after federal tax credits) to purchase a Think City. Check out Think's "inventory clearance" sale to see if raging deals are available in your neck of the woods.


Source: Autoblog Green

Original Rollout of Think City EV's to MSRP at $41,695

Think City – Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in November of 2010, we reported that, come mid-2011, the electric Think City will hit the U.S. market at a price that's "just below $34,000 before incentives." While that price tag may still be accurate, that's not what the first 100 Think Cities will sell for. You see, Think's "below $34,000" price is just a "target" that the automaker aims to hit when the City launches at normal retail, but the first 100 Cities are burdened with a heftier $41,695 sticker price.

Think told Plugin Cars that the $41,695 price is only for the low-volume run of cars that the automaker is shipping out to fleets and select individuals. It is not the price at which the Think City will sell for when production ramps up and the general public gets a crack at buying it. Making matters even more confusing, Think told Plugin Cars that for buyers in Indianapolis, the City's current transaction price is $30,050.65. Apparently, that includes state sales tax and available state rebates, but not the $7,500 federal tax credit. So, what's the City's actual, official MSRP? That's still unknown.



Source: Autoblog Green

Think North America Vice Chairman Canny resigning

Think City Electric Vehicle








Think North America Vice Chairman Richard Canny is resigning his position with the electric car maker effective at the end of the month.

“It’s been an exciting two and a half years ... but it’s time for me to move on to a new adventure and challenge,” Canny said in an e-mail exchange with Automotive News Europe. “It's certainly been a rewarding period to be in the electric vehicle business and I’m glad that I’m leaving the company closer to its vision.” Canny transitioned to vice chairman of the company’s North American operations from CEO of Think Global SA in September 2010. Barry Engle succeeded Canny as Think’s top executive. He will take over Canny’s duties at the company.

...During his time with the company, Think was rescued from collapse; shut its production plant in Aurskog, near Oslo, Norway; started production for Europe in Finland with contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive; resumed European sales; refurbished a U.S. plant in Elkhart, Indiana; started output for the North American market; and announced plans to open new product development and engineering facilities in Oslo.

THINK Delivers 17 EVs to Utility Fleet Customers and Employees in Indiana

Think City Electric Vehicle

THINK has delivered 17 THINK CIty electric cars to utility fleet customers and employees in Indiana. Duke Energy in Plainfield, Ind. received 10 electric THINK City cars, and the remainder were delivered to Indianapolis Power & Light for company fleet use.

Electric utilities and their employees are a natural extension of our fleet strategy. By targeting electric utilities in the early deployment of EVs, we can help address several important challenges to the successful commercialization of these cars, such as establishing residual values for batteries, the cost of installing infrastructure and understanding the local impact of charging networks on the grid. Electric utilities are impacted by all of these issues, not only as customers, but also as fuel and service providers.

—THINK spokesperson Brendan Prebo

THINK is working with Duke, IPL and the Energy Systems Network (ESN) to collect data on the deployment and use of electric cars as part of Project Plug-IN. THINK has contracted with Tom Wood Automotive in Indianapolis to support the sale and service of THINK City electric cars in the metropolitan area.

By early 2011, Project Plug-IN will place 100 or more electric vehicles and supporting charging infrastructure with government and corporate fleets, as well as selected individual commuters, across the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

The THINK City model is an all-electric, zero-emission car designed in Scandinavia for fleet applications and urban commuters. The THINK City can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, using Lithium-ion batteries manufactured in Indiana by Ener1, Inc. THINK plans to roll out retail distribution in select US cities in the second half of 2011.

Source: Green Car Congress

Production of Lithium-Ion Think City EV Commences in Elkhart, Indiana Plant

Think City EV's Prepped At Elkhart, Indiana Facility

Working in 10-hour shifts seven days a week, Think's tiny Elkhart crew will assemble 304 vehicles in 2010. Next year, the plan calls for 2,500 to be made – 1,000 of those will be "battery install" vehicles that are will be used in different ways to shift the plant from simple assembly to actual production; 1,500 of those will be full production models, starting in July 2011.

Think isn't just an action requiring cranial capacity, but the name of an electric car builder; and they've sold and delivered their first United States-built City cars.

Think, a Scandinavian EV firm, has been in the business since the 1990s and recently invested a great deal of capital to establish a production site in Elkhart County, Indiana. There, Think will produce its City EV for U.S. consumption.

"Think found a great place to establish its business in Elkhart, and we're proud to be the first customer," said Mitch Daniels, Governor of Indiana. "We believe that the coming era of electric cars, like the Think City, will find its home here in Indiana."

Realizing the importance of supporting the local establishment, the State of Indiana is the first U.S. customer and took delivery of 15 Think City cars. The EVs were bought under the state's Project Plug-In, which intends to deploy additional EVs across the state to reduce fuel usage. Indiana's Department of Natural Resources, the department linked to the state's park system, will primarily use the electric transportation.

"We saw this specific green initiative as an opportunity to test alternative energy vehicles in real-life situations," said Rob Wynkoop, Indiana Department of Administration director. "We believe the state parks provide the best locations to test these vehicles."

The City car is a 2300-pound two-door hatchback that pairs a lithium-ion battery with a 46-horsepower electric motor (with 27 continuous horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque). A single-speed reduction gear drives the front wheels and a 100-mile range is touted for daily use. As the model name suggests, the City would be most appropriate for urban use, or state park duty as will be the case here.

Think is scheduled to commence mass retail distribution in select U.S. cities in the second half of 2011.

Source: Automobilemag.com

California Air Resources Board Approves Think City as Type II ZEV

The California Air Resources Board has approved the THINK City as a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV). The approval paves the way for THINK to sell the all-electric THINK City in California, 12 other states and the District of Columbia that have adopted California’s ZEV requirements.

The THINK City has a range of 100 miles, which meets CARB’s Type II ZEV Tier requirements, and uses an advanced lithium-ion battery developed by Ener1.

CARB certification is critical for fleet sales, not just in California, but in the other CARB states as well. These states make up more than 35 percent of the automobile market in the US and represent a significant share of the fleet market.

—THINK spokesperson Brendan Prebo

THINK will begin delivering vehicles to fleet customers soon. THINK plans to roll out retail distribution in select cities in the second half of 2011. The retail distribution timeline coincides with the company’s plans to expand production at its Elkhart, Ind. manufacturing facility. The company also builds the THINK City in Finland for sale in Europe, where the car has been highway-certified since 1999.

Source: Green Car Congress

Think City EV To Lead the Pack In Oslo, Norway Car Sharing Program

The THINK City is the lead EV in the Move About car sharing scheme; the program was launched in 2009 in Oslo, Norway and has just signed up its 1,000^th member. It has since expanded to Gothenburg and Copenhagen with collaborative projects also taking place in Germany and Austria. Of the 80 vehicles in the scheme, 79 are THINK City models, representing one of the larger EV fleets in Europe.

Some of the Move About fleet of THINK City EVs. Click to enlarge.

The THINK City is on sale across Europe; production reached 2,500 units recently. Sales and production are also about to commence in the US. The THINK City can maintain speeds of 70 mph (113 km/h) and travel up to 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge. In total THINK has now sold approaching 10,000 units, accumulating 35 million zero-emissions road miles to date.

The number of cars only tells half the story. The car sharing system enables many people to share relatively few cars. This is a much smarter way to use resources, and means that many more people will be able to drive electric cars.

—Michael Eimstad, Manager in Move About

Think to Commence EV Sales in Finland

Think City EV

Scandinavian electric vehicle (EV) maker THINK has begun sales of the THINK City EV in Finland with production partner Valmet Automotive.

First deliveries of the THINK City in Finland will be to green delivery pioneers A2B, through a new THINK dealership in Helsinki. Further full-service dealerships will be opened in the coming months in other Finnish cities such as Turku, Tampere, Lahti, Jyväskylä and Oulu.

Since we entered into collaboration with THINK in 2009 there has been very high level of interest from customers, both business and private, wanting to buy the THINK City. This hasn’t been possible in Finland until now, and we are extremely excited by the prospect of being exclusive distributor here, especially with the experience and expertise of our new sales and marketing director Hans Svensson leading the sales operation.

—Valmet Automotive President, Ilpo Korhonen

European production of the THINK City continues in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive. Customer deliveries are taking place across Europe in selected key EV markets such as The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland and now Finland.

THINK has also announced plans to establish a US production facility during 2011 in Elkhart County, Indiana, and is working with Japanese partner Itochu on developing operations in Asia.

THINK City EVs with EnerDel Li-ion Packs Enter Production

THINK, the Scandinavian electric vehicle maker, has begun production of THINK City EVs equipped with 22 kWh Li-ion battery packs from Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel.

The EnerDel THINK City pack. Click to enlarge.

THINK and Ener1 have been in active partnership for a number of years, developing and perfecting the THINK EV drive system and the EnerDel. Ener1 is an investor in THINK, and Ener1 Chairman and CEO Charles Gassenheimer is now THINK’s Chairman of the Board. (Earlier post.)

Our ancillary drivetrain business, stripping out THINK’s drivetrain technology and combining with the EnerDel solution, is particularly powerful, allowing an impressive time-to-market advantage for third parties. Ener1 continues to leverage its relationships, such as ITOCHU with the Japan Post and the new Ener1-Wanxiang joint venture, to create compelling new revenue opportunities for both companies.

—Charles Gassenheimer

The latest generation THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric car designed for urban environments. It can travel at highway speeds and cover 160 kilometers (99 miles) on a single charge (via any conventional household outlet), with zero local emissions. It is the first EV to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate).

European production of the THINK City is underway in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive, which also assembles the Boxster and Cayman models for Porsche AG. First customer deliveries are taking place across Europe in selected key EV markets such as The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Austria and others.

THINK also recently announced plans to establish a US production facility during 2011 in Elkhart County, Indiana, and is working with Japanese partner Itochu on developing operations in Asia.

Source: Green Car Congress

Think Survey Finds Potential EV Customers Would Trade Range for Price

Think City All-Electric Vehicle

Electric car maker THINK released results of a customer survey that found that 50% of potential EV buyers responding would be willing to accept 70-80 miles range if it reduced the cost of the vehicle by $5,000. The online survey was conducted by a team of MBA students from University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

One hundred miles range has long been considered a customer requirement for full-functioning, highway-capable electric vehicles.

The survey also indicated that potential electric vehicle customers would be willing to pay more for extended range. Fifty-five percent of the respondents indicated that they would pay a $5,000 premium for an electric vehicle with 150-160 mile range. Only 9% of potential customers said they were interested in reducing their range below 50 miles for a greater discount.

Offering different sizes of batteries for different customers is an intriguing idea. Customer support for it will likely grow as fast charging technology becomes more widespread.

—Richard Canny, THINK CEO

The THINK City electric car, being sold in Europe today and coming to the United States later this year, has a range of 100 miles on a single charge. The company announced in January that it was working with AeroVironment, a leading developer and supplier of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to promote fast changing project using AV’s level III fast-charge system and the THINK City electric vehicle.

A total of 367 consumers completed the survey.

Think! Rebuts Ten Myths Surrounding Electric Vehicles

Norwegian electric-vehicle maker Think wants to set the record straight as it prepares to start selling its City EV in the U.S. later this year.

In honor of Earth Day, the former Ford Motor Co. division posed what it says are the 10 biggest myths about EVs, and set out to "bust" them with simple rebuttals that Think CEO Richard Canny uses to support the cause of the EV - especially its own.

Myth #1: "You are just moving the pollution out of the cities to the countryside."

Think CEO Richard Canny: "Electric vehicle motors are three-to-five times more efficient than gasoline-powered vehicles...Efficiency of EVs makes them cleaner, producing less carbon - even when they are charged using coal-fired electricity."

Myth #2: "Customers will never buy a car with less than a 200-mile range."

Think: "So-called 'range anxiety' diminishes when people get used to driving EVs on a daily basis. It's just like charging a cell phone overnight. You plug it in, and in the morning it's ready to go, fully charged..."

Myth #3: "The battery won't last."

Think: "EV batteries are designed to last at least 10 years and more than 100,000 miles..."

Myth #4: "You'll need to build a lot more power plants."

Think: "There's enough off-peak electricity in the U.S. to power 79 percent of U.S. driving demand. As more EVs are deployed, it's important to ensure that the smart-charging (time-based charging management) and vehicle-to-grid connectivity progresses as well..."

Myth #5: "We're going to run out of lithium - and isn't it poisonous?"

Think: "...The industry will not have a shortage of lithium for the next decade. It is also possible that new battery technologies will be based on other light metals like zinc or nickel. Lithium from used batteries will be recycled in dedicated recycling plants. Lithium batteries contain no poisonous heavy metals like lead in lead-acid batteries or cadmium in NiCd batteries."

Myth #6: "The infrastructure has to come first."

Think: "In our experience working with more than 20 cities across Europe, the best way to deploy EVs is to get cars on the road first, then add infrastructure..."

Myth #7: "They're not safe."

Think: "Highway-certified EVs like the Think City meet all the same safety and crash test requirements as regular production cars with some important extras..."

Myth #8: "The technology is too complicated."

Think: "A modern electric car has only about five main moving parts compared with hundreds in an internal combustion engine. There are no regular visits to the dealership for an EV. No oil changes, no filters - even brake pads last two-to-three times longer than in conventional cars, because EVs like the Think City use regenerative braking to recapture the energy that would otherwise be lost while braking."

Myth #9: With plug-in vehicles in their relative infancy, it's too early judge how re-charging habits are affecting battery life, but just like most drivers fill up at a gas station instead of getting a couple of gallons at a time, sheer convenience would dictate that EV owners are far more likely to arrange for full, longer charges than shorter, quicker ones.

Think: "Modern prismatic lithium batteries can be developed with fast-charging in mind - like Think's EnerDel battery solution. The critical technology is in the cell design to manage battery temperature during charging. Limiting fast charging to the 0-80 percent range also protects battery life. Think's view is that 95 percent or more of all EV miles will be driven on EVs charged during overnight off-peak periods when electricity is cheaper and readily available."

Myth #10: "Plug-in hybrids are the best solution."

Think: "Carrying around the extra weight and cost of two powertrains makes little sense...As plug-in hybrids get bigger and heavier, they need more batteries and stronger gas- or diesel-powered generators or engines. It becomes a 'vicious circle' of more cost and more weight to achieve acceptable range and performance in both modes."

We here at Alt Energy Autos feel that Plug-In Hybrids are merely a means to an end. The end goal being the adoption of pure electric vehicles. We need to put an end to combustion engines being used in urban and suburban settings where long ranges are not necessary. For longer hauls we want to see the use of alternate energy vehicles such as CNG and bio-diesel.

Think Announces Plans To Release City EV Beginning in New York

The All-Electric Think City








Do you live in a large metropolitan area? Odds are you do, as the population of the top 20 cities in the US accounts for half of us. Odds are that you live in a two-car family where one of the vehicles could be the Think City! Since this EV is so diminutive, it is also easy to park, especially in areas like Boston. With a range of 120 miles, commuters may have the luxury of recharging only twice per week. Don't forget, this car qualifies for the US Federal tax rebate. There are definitely many benefits of owning this purposeful alternate energy vehicle.

New Yorkers get the first crack at the Think City.

From Gas2.0:

THINK has had a rough road in its long history. Having been on the brink of collapse several times, this little Norwegian company just can’t be kept down it seems. Scrabbling back from the nearly dead, THINK now has plans to start selling its itty bitty City EV in New York and a few other “select markets” later this year.

“New York is a logical early market for the THINK City in the U.S.,” said THINK CEO Richard Canny. “New York ranked third on our EV-Ready Cities Index based on the great fit of EVs for city driving and the strength of state and local government support.”

The City’s lithium-ion battery — capable of taking the car up to 120 miles on a charge — is made in the U.S. by New York’s own Ener1, so it’s a logical fit to start selling the City in New York first. The City EVs sold in the US will be made in Elkhart, Indiana, the first of which are expected to start rolling off the assembly line later this year.

As a minicar designed for the urban environment, THINK has always said they they will target large cities with a dedication to installing the appropriate charging infrastructure. On THINK’s original “EV-Ready Cities” list, New York and Chicago were tied for 3rd place, while LA and San Fran were in the top two spots. Given that the west coast is shaping up to be a battle ground for the EV crowd, it makes sense for a smaller company like THINK to focus on markets where the other big players haven’t targeted as much yet.

Think To Assemble Its City EV in Indiana

Too bad we have to wait another year or so to get this great little car. Now they will be positioned in Indiana along with their battery maker, Ener1, which should drive down production costs. The think City EV is a perfect commuter car and makes a great daily driver for any family.

From Green Car Congress:

THINK will begin selling the THINK City, one of the world’s first highway-capable urban EVs, in the US later this year. The company plans to invest $43.5 million in building improvements and equipment in Elkhart County, and the plant could begin assembling vehicles in early 2011.

The THINK City will appear in Detroit next week at the North American International Auto Show 2010. Click to enlarge.

THINK’s investments in Elkhart County will support manufacturing capacity for more than 20,000 vehicles a year. The company started delivering the latest generation of its THINK City model to customers in Europe last month.

The THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric car designed for urban environments. It can travel at highway speeds for more than 100 miles on a single charge. It is the first EV to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate). (Earlier post.)

European production of the THINK City is already underway in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive, which also assembles the Porsche Boxster and Cayman models for Porsche AG. Production will continue at Valmet Automotive to support European market demand, where sales have begun in selected key EV markets such as Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden.

THINK is joining Indianapolis-based lithium-ion battery maker, EnerDel in choosing Indiana for a North American manufacturing location. Ener1, the parent company of Enerdel, is a 31% equity stakeholder in THINK. In addition to incentives provided by the State of Indiana and Elkhart County, THINK plans to utilize funding from the US Department of Energy ATVM loan program to establish its new production facility