Dear Reader

This month I bring you three very proud moments for everyone connected with Smith Electric Vehicles.

We have signed a collaboration agreement with Ford to deliver the first EV in Ford's aggressive new electrification strategy for North America and have established Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp to produce the vehicles in the USA.

Smith also unveiled a concept passenger car with Ford at the Geneva Auto Show, which caught the eye of one of America's most influential politicians.

On home soil, Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary and a wholehearted supporter of the UK's low carbon vehicle industry, drove our Ampere van on a visit to Vigo Centre.

I read another article in the commercial vehicle press this week, stating that electric vehicles are "a decade away". The widespread use of electric cars may well be 10 years away, but major automotive companies, politicians and fleet operators on both sides of the Atlantic are waking up to the fact that electric vans and trucks are here and now.

Remember, if you are thinking about converting your fleet to electric you can find out more at our website at www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director, Smith Electric Vehicles

SMITH TO PRODUCE FIRST EV FOR FORD IN NORTH AMERICA

Ford will launch a BEV Ford Transit Connect in North America in 2010.

Smith Electric Vehicles will work with Ford to introduce a battery-electric light van, the first vehicle in the company's broad electrification strategy for the North American market, which was announced at this year's Detroit Auto Show. This vehicle will be based on the European-designed Ford Transit Connect which goes on sale in North America this year.

The vehicle, which Smith will assemble in North America, will have a range of up to 100 miles on a full charge, without compromising the Transit Connect's superior driving experience. The vehicle will be fully branded as a Ford product and will go on sale through selected Ford dealerships in North America in 2010.

Darren Kell, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "This enhances the Ford commercial vehicle portfolio with a zero-emission light van that is cost-effective, gets the job done and does not compromise Ford's high standards for exceptional driving experience. It offers fleet owners the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, improve city air quality and make a positive step towards our national energy security.

"The partnership with Ford and development of the battery-electric Ford Transit Connect demonstrates that Smith Electric Vehicles is the industry leader in commercial electric vehicles."

Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp, a separate company in which we own a 49% equity stake, will deliver the vehicle for Ford. SEV US Corp will be wholly responsible for supplying and integrating the power train, battery pack and control systems into the existing vehicle chassis envelope, with engineering support from Ford.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president, Product Development, said: "Our collaboration with Smith will result in the first battery-electric vehicle in Ford's electrification strategy and positions Ford at the vanguard of the commercial electric vehicle industry.

"The collaborative approach adopted for delivering the battery-electric Ford Transit Connect ensures the most efficient route to market, through shared investment and expertise."

Smith already works with Ford in Europe to produce commercial electric vehicles on the Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect chassis.

SMITH UNVEILS ITS FIRST BEV AIMED AT PASSENGER CAR MARKET

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, examining the Tourneo at the Geneva show.

The concept vehicle is Smith's first BEV aimed at the passenger car market and was developed in collaboration with Ford of Europe.

The zero emission Tourneo Connect BEV Concept people people carrier has a projected range of 100 miles (160km) on a full battery charge and a top speed of 70mph (113km/h).

The concept vehicle adapts technology that Smith developed for the Ford Transit Connect BEV light van, which is available to order in Europe as the Smith Ampere.

Darren Kell, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "If the Tourneo Connect BEV Concept generates high levels of interest, we can work with Ford on production potential and develop the vehicle relatively quickly."

LORD MANDELSON IN THE DRIVING SEAT OF WORLD'S FIRST ELECTRIC VAN

Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, in the driving seat of the Smith Ampere.

UK Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, underlined his commitment to low carbon vehicles as he took the driving seat in the world's first high-performance electric light van, the Smith Ampere.

Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, experienced the vehicle first hand in a visit to the Smith Electric Vehicles 250,000sq ft (23,000sq m) production facility in the UK.

Darren Kell, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "Lord Mandelson is determined that the UK will become the world leader in low carbon vehicle technologies, so it was pleasing to show him that Smith Electric Vehicles is already a world leader in electric vans and trucks."

Joe Greenwell, Chairman of Ford of Britain, who joined Lord Mandelson on his visit, said: "The UK's market-leading Ford Transit van is available today as a zero emissions model thanks to Smiths' expertise. Together we are shaping the commercial vehicles of tomorrow."

Read more about the Smith Ampere here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com