Think electric city car to be built in Indiana - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**rfernatt** · 01-05-2010, 01:37 PM

ED competition? No plans to employ black and white bears at this time...

Indiana beats Michigan for 'Think' electric car

The Norwegian company wants to begin selling the Think City electric car in the U.S. to fleet customers this year, and to retail customers in 2011.

The two-passenger car runs on lithium ion batteries from supplier and investor EnerDel, which also is based in Indiana. The car, which is slightly larger than a Smart fortwo, has a range of 112 miles and a top speed of 62 mph. The batteries take several hours to recharge.

Think's goal is to produce a car priced at less than $20,000, with a $90 monthly lease for the batteries.

The carmaker, headquartered in Oslo, wants to build about 16,000 vehicles per year initially and grow to about 60,000 annually about 2012.

pdboilermaker · 01-05-2010, 01:44 PM

I am so happy for Elkhart, they needed something bad, however, they were flirting with the brand new never used Getreg facility at the intersection of 28 and 31 just west of Tipton.

Had it gone there (about 15 miles from me) guess who woould be puttin in their application for the ISO 16949/14001 management representative - If you guessed old PD, youd be right

Big Panda · 01-05-2010, 01:48 PM

A friend of my wifes BF drives a Think from time to time. I 'think' he's one of the guys working on that project. I've been trying to coordinate his bringing one home for the weekend to us (wife and I ONLY) going over to their house so that I can take pics of our smart next to his Think City car.

Still hope that happens. It would be a really cool pic!!

pdboilermaker · 01-06-2010, 08:03 AM

BP:

Is that just a "you" activity or is that a smart event in the south? I know we would love to get together to see the thing, heck Janice could even stand at the back of the crowd and as "Is that thing electric?"

chieftmc · 01-06-2010, 09:13 AM

Good for Elkhart !!!!

God knows they can use the jobs

BigWarpGuy · 01-06-2010, 11:09 AM

It is neat to see jobs being 'outsourced' TO the USA.

When they see the Think City, will go around it asking 'where does one fill it up with gas?'.

pdboilermaker · 01-08-2010, 06:30 AM

Uh, BP?

Can we all come and see it and as a group we will even buy the guy some lunch

sarahwb · 01-08-2010, 07:29 AM

Even though from MI, great for Indiana! I will be excited to see this car make it to production. I have a 2005 GEM e2 with upgraded batteries, cute and fun it is more a toy, dare I say it. My top speed it 24 with 35 mile range on charge. I am looking into the upgrades that are sold to get more ""power"". I say when I am driving it I get "more smiles per miles".

Big Panda · 01-08-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdboilermaker

BP:

Is that just a "you" activity or is that a smart event in the south? I know we would love to get together to see the thing, heck Janice could even stand at the back of the crowd and as "Is that thing electric?"

I don't think it's something that is 'planned' when he gets to drive it. That's why it's been so hard to meet up with him to get some pics. We've talked about it for about 6 months now, but no luck getting together.

The problem is that he could bring the car by our house, BUT he's not allowed to have anyone else ride with him, so my wife's friend....his g/f, has to stay home. No fun there, so that's why we've tried to catch him at THEIR house.

I hope to get pics.....someday.