EVLN(Think's blood, sweat & tears decided this week)-long
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--- {EVangel}
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/business/article.jhtml?articleID=404477
updated23.09.02, kl 13:45 (GMT +01:00)
'Think's' fate may be decided this week
Government officials and a so-called "action group" at the
embattled Norwegian electric car producer "Think" had
another meeting Monday with the hopes of keeping production
rolling at the factory northeast of Oslo. The Minister of
Industry is due to make his own proposal on Tuesday.
The Think cars have lots of loyal fans who are fighting to
keep it in production. PHOTO: RUNE HOLM SCHULSTAD
Joergen Dale, an engineer at the Think plant and leader of
its action group, said he fears Ford may stop trying to find
new investors to take over the plant after itself deciding
to end its engagement.
"If the authorities don't come with some clear incentives,
there's great danger that efforts to find new investors will
come to a halt," Dale told wire service NTB.
He added that Ford isn't looking for state funding as much
as new work rules and tax laws that would help create a
bigger market for the electric cars.
Think fans in California insist a market already exists, and
that they're frustrated in efforts to buy the vehicles. Some
prospective Norwegian buyers, meanwhile, claim they also are
frustrated in obtaining the cars because Think officials
have told them that much of its production was reserved for
the American market.
At the same time, several Think fans have told Aftenposten
Multimedia that it's not possible to buy the cars in
California, only to lease them at a rate of USD 199 per
month for 34 months. They rave about the car's efficiency
and economy, noting that it's also simply fun to drive.
They complain that Ford hasn't seriously addressed the
market, done little promotion or advertising, and is more
concerned about keeping drivers wedded to their
gasoline-powered cars because of sheer economies of scale.
'Thinkers' take action Two Norwegian support groups for the
little electric car, called the Bergen Thinkers and the
Trondheim Thinkers, sent a letter late last week to Prime
Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and other cabinet ministers
urging the state to block a shutdown of the Think plant in
Aurskog. The letters were full of praise for the car, and
stressed its environmental friendliness.
Ford set a board meeting for Friday to seal the future of
Think.
The action group estimates that demands made by Ford, which
took over Think three years ago, will cost the state around
NOK 250 million over five years. Demands include the
purchase of at least 500 of the electric cars every year.
Minister of Industry Ansgar Gabrielsen estimates that Ford's
demands will cost much more, perhaps as much as NOK 700
million. The state already has provided around NOK 100
million in support to Think's predecessor, Pivco.
Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund [EMAIL PROTECTED]
===
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20020924&Category=APF&ArtNo=209240753&Ref=AR
Published Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Ford Electric Car Plant May Close
By DAVID GOODMAN Associated Press Writer
DETROIT (AP) - In another sign of fading hopes for electric
vehicles, Norway announced Tuesday that it could not meet
demands from Ford Motor Co. to keep its Think auto plant
open.
In late August, the Dearborn-based automaker announced it
would stop selling electric cars in the United States and
also was prepared to withdraw from the Think Nordic plant
that makes the Think City electric car.
Ford has said the market for electric cars was too small,
while environmentalists say U.S. automakers have dragged
their heels on developing and promoting electric cars like
Ford's Think.
Ford has said it would decide whether to close the Norwegian
plant by the end of November on the future of the Think.
"Clearly, the death sentence was hanging over its head,"
said Daniel Becker, director of global warming and energy
programs for the Sierra Club.
Ford spokeswoman Carolyn Brown said the company remains
committed to alternative-power systems, as well as to
improving the fuel economy of gasoline- burning vehicles.
"We are going to be focusing our resources on the
technologies of (gas-electric) hybrids and future
development," she said.
Ford has said it will start making a hybrid-powered Escape
sport-utility vehicle by the end of 2003.
Norwegian minister of industry Ansgar Gabrielsen said Ford
wanted his government to set aside money for the plant near
Oslo and order a fleet of the pollution-free vehicles to
keep the operation running.
At a news conference in Oslo on Tuesday, he said he had
written to Ford saying Norway was willing to take other
steps to stimulate demand, such as allowing electric cars to
use bus lanes.
"But the economic framework in the proposal from Ford is
much too big for us to get involved," Gabrielsen said.
There is wide agreement among environmentalists, regulators
and even many in the auto industry that future holds out
the best hope to become the transportation power source of
tomorrow.
[...]
Fc widespread use, however, is years away he said.
And while working on fc technology, the U.S. auto
industry is neglecting other power systems available now -
including electricity and gasoline-electricity hybrid - he
said.
"The auto industry is saying ... `We can't walk and chew gum
at the same time," Becker said.
Brown said Ford is working on many fronts to reduce or
eliminate use of gasoline to power its vehicles.
"There is no one silver bullet," she said.
The Norwegian plant employs about 120 people and has
produced more than 1,000 Think City vehicles in all.
Automakers have been under pressure to develop vehicles
powered by something other than gasoline, and California has
enacted increasingly tough mandates for low- and
nonpolluting vehicles.
Ford shares fell 32 cents to close Tuesday at $9.34 on the
New York Stock Exchange.
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On the Net: Ford Motor Co., http://www.ford.com Sierra Club
alternative vehicle site, http://www.sierraclub.org/freedom
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