The Denzel group is a leading multi-brand automobile distributor and provider of innovative total mobility solutions in Austria. The THINK brand joins the group’s existing autos portfolio, which includes Mitsubishi, Volvo, BMW, Mini, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Fiat, Alfa-Romeo, Lancia and Ferrari.
Distribution and servicing of THINK electric vehicles in Austria will be handled by the newly formed Denzel Group company, Electro Drive Denzel GmbH, under the stewardship of managing director, Michael Roeck.
Long-time Denzel Group manager, Roeck says: “We have handled some limited THINK City sales in Austria over the last 18 months, and with those we have on the roads today there have been no complaints whatsoever – either mechanical or customer satisfaction related – these are truly excellent, safe and reliable urban vehicles. Demand here for the electric car THINK City is very high, and we expect to exceed our sales forecasts for 2010.”
THINK CEO, Richard Canny, added: “Denzel Group has a long proven history in autos distribution in Austria at the very highest levels. One only has to look at their brand portfolio to see that this is a successful and trusted marketer of some of the world’s best-known auto brands. THINK is proud to be marketing the THINK City alongside these household names and working in partnership with the Denzel Group in Austria.”
The THINK City is a purpose-built, all electric car designed for urban environments. It can travel at highway speeds for some 160 kilometers on a single charge (via any 220V household outlet), with zero local emissions. It is the world’s first EV to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate). To achieve these exacting standards, the THINK City has successfully completed very thorough testing and validation procedures.
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 electric vehicles markets such as Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and now Austria.
THINK also recently announced plans to establish a U.S. production facility during 2010 in Elkhart County, Indianapolis.
THINK is a pioneer in electric vehicles and a leader in electric vehicle technology, developed and proven over 19 years. It is one of the few companies that has a ‘ready-to-market’ fully electric vehicle – the THINK City. With its market-leading range, driveability and recyclability, the THINK City is the first vehicle of its type to be granted pan-European regulatory safety approval and CE certification.
THINK is also a leader in electric drive-system technology, and was the first to offer a modular and flexible EV drive-train solution in the business-to-business sector. With its Scandinavian origins and sustainability mindset, THINK is one of the most carbon efficient car companies in the world.
Wolfgang Denzel Auto AG is a leading multi-brand automobile distributor and provider of innovative total mobility solutions in Austria. With an annual turnover of around €450 million and over 1,000 employees, Denzel is among Austria’s biggest and most valued companies.
EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (Nasdaq: HEV), develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts, the company is building proprietary innovations based on technology originally pioneered at the Argonne National Laboratory.
EnerDel produces its batteries at its state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expecting to be the first company to mass-produce a cost-competitive lithium-ion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition to the automobile market, applications for EnerDel lithium-ion battery technology include medical, military, aerospace, electric utility and other growing markets.
