Stan Wellaway

Ford Partners to Commercialize Electric Cars

UK-listed Tanfield Group today announced the formation of a new US company called Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation (SEVUS), the majority of shares in which will be US-owned.

This not only allows them access to US government funding for the development of alternative transport solutions - it also allows Ford to name them as their (US based) partner for the 2010 electric van. I don't know if this is what Ford intend doing, but if so, there are two imminent opportunities to do so. The car show in Chicago next week, and the WorkTruck show early next month.

Ford and Smith are already partners in Europe, where the established Smith Edison and newer Smith Ampere are both dual-badged Ford/Smith.