Ford and Tanfield concept shifts into a new gear
Mar 4 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
NORTH East electric vehicle maker Tanfield and its partner US car giant Ford have demonstrated the strength of their partnership by unveiling their latest joint venture at the Geneva Motor Show.
At this stage the new battery-powered Ford Tourneo Connect people carrier is being viewed as a concept car, but the two companies say if a business case can be established it will go into production.
Next year the joint venture partners will launch a battery-powered Transit for the North American market.
John Fleming, chairman and chief executive of Ford of Europe, said: “The Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how Ford’s collaboration with Tanfield is extending the company’s global electric vehicle plan to Europe.
“Although conceptual for now, if there is sufficient interest, this silent, zero emission technology could be applied to the Tourneo Connect quite quickly.
“We think it would be an ideal solution for taxi use, as a hotel shuttle vehicle or similar inner city application.”
Darren Kell, chief executive of the Tanfield Group, based in Sunderland, said: “The pure electric new Tourneo Connect exists as a proof of concept, but it demonstrates how seamlessly our world-leading technology can integrate into passenger vehicles.
“If the Tourneo Connect BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) generates high levels of interest, we can work with Ford on production potential and develop the vehicle relatively quickly.”
Tanfield has been making electric vehicles since 1920, it employs 230 staff and last year announced it had gone into partnership with Ford as the US car giant looked to green its vehicle production.
