Norwegian electric car maker, Think has begun production in Indiana as it prepares for the introduce of its electric city car into the US market.
Already available in Europe, the Think City will now roll of the production line at the firm’s manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana as the growing firm looks set to produce 2,500 vehicles for the American market in 2011.
The company, with global headquarters in Oslo, Norway, plans to build 300 models at the facility by the end of the year alone.
Think’s plant in Elkhart is now receiving partially assembled vehicles from contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive in Finland, which produces THINK vehicles for the European market. Workers in the US are then completing production of the cars, including installing electric drive trains with advanced Lithium-ion batteries from manufacturer Ener1, Inc. in Indianapolis.
“This plant will be a model for efficiency and quality, as we’re going to be sharing best practices among Elkhart, Oslo and Finland,” said Think manufacturing director Karl Turner. “Our process eliminates the need for paint or welding shops, so it is environmentally very clean, is low capital intensive and is readily replicable for other locations to support future growth.”
The Think City battery electric car can maintain speeds of 70mph and can travel up to 100miles on a single charge. The car also recently achieved official classification as a zero emissions vehicle from the California Air Resources Board (see story).
