SMITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES APPROVED FOR UK PLUG-IN VAN GRANT
February 21, 2012 – Smith Electric Vehicles. (Smith), a global leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, is now included in a UK Government subsidy program. The Department for Transport (DfT) has approved the Smith Edison™, for its new Plug-In Van Grant. This means that any business purchasing the Smith Edison 3.5t all-electric vehicle can now benefit from £8,000 off the list price.
SMITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WANXIANG GROUP ANNOUNCE INVESTMENT AND JOINT VENTURE
February 17, 2012 – Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (Smith), a global leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Wanxiang Group, a global leader in automotive parts manufacturing and supply. The principal terms include a $25 million equity investment in Smith by Wanxiang and up to a $75 million investment in a joint venture between Smith and Wanxiang to develop, manufacture and commercialize all-electric school buses and commercial vehicles for multiple industries in China. Under the Smith brand, these vehicles will combine Wanxiang’s EV componentry technologies with Smith’s proprietary platform vehicle designs, including its Smith Drive™ and Smith Power™ systems. Both the investment and the joint venture are subject to the execution of definitive agreements and receipt of regulatory and other third party approvals.
SMITH ELECTRIC EXPANDS UK APPRENTICE PROGRAM
February 10, 2012 – Smith Electric Vehicles. (Smith), a global leader in all-electric commercial vehicles, is recruiting an additional six apprentices at its plant in Washington, Tyne & Wear. It follows the company’s successful launch of a dedicated EV Apprenticeship scheme in 2010, in partnership with nearby Gateshead College.