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3.5t GVW variants of the Smith Edison™ panel van and chassis cab are now approved for the UK Government’s £8,000 subsidy

(WASHINGTON, TYNE & WEAR.) – 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 allelectric vehicle can now benefit from £8,000 off the list price. Geoff Allison, Managing Director of Smith Electric Vehicles Europe Ltd, said: “We are delighted that the Smith Edison has been accepted into the Plug-In Van Grant scheme. “This grant will help our fleet customers to achieve a faster return on investment, making the economic case for electric vans as compelling as the environmental case.”
Manufactured in Washington, Tyne & Wear, the Smith Edison approved for the Plug-In Van Grant has a gross vehicle weight of 3.5t. It is available as a panel van and as a chassis cab suitable for a diverse range of bodies, including drop side, tipper, box and refrigerated box. The vehicle has a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries, which can be fully recharged in as little as four hours.
Smith is one of seven manufacturers to have its all-electric light commercial vehicles approved for the Plug-In Van Grant. The company last week signed a letter of intent for a $25 million (£15.7m) investment and a $75m (£47.3m) joint venture with Wanxiang Group, China’s largest auto-parts maker.

About Smith Electric Vehicles

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (www.smithelectric.com) develops, produces and sells zero-emission commercial electric vehicles that are designed to be an alternative to traditional diesel trucks, providing higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Smith’s vehicle designs leverage more than 80 years of market knowledge from selling and servicing electric vehicles in the United Kingdom. Smith Electric Vehicles produces the Newton™ and the Edison™. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, MO., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.

Smith and Wanxiang sign letter of intent for $25M investment in Smith and up to $75M investment for a joint venture to develop and commercialize Smith all-electric commercial vehicles in China

KANSAS CITY, MO., Feb. 17, 2011.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 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. “Wanxiang’s high quality precision manufacturing capabilities and purchasing relationships bring significant value to our business in our current stage of development,” commented Bryan Hansel, chief executive officer and chairman of Smith.

“Wanxiang is one of China’s most respected companies and we look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship that advances the global commercial electric vehicle industry.” “Smith’s market leadership in the U.S. and Europe bring valuable experience and technology to address the significant opportunity for all-electric commercial vehicles in China,”said Pingyi Li, the executive director of Wanxiang EV Co. Ltd. “Working together, we see tremendous opportunity to serve this growing market and to leverage volume and cost synergies back into Smith’s global business. We are pleased to have them as our partner.”

Smith and Wanxiang signed a letter of intent this morning in Los Angeles, CA at the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, in connection with a meeting of prominent business leaders from the U.S. and China and a state visit by Chinese Vice President XI Jinping.

About Smith Electric Vehicles Smith Electric Vehicles Corp.

(www.smithelectric.com) develops, produces and sells zero-emission commercial electric vehicles that are designed to be an alternative to traditional diesel trucks, providing higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Smith’s vehicle designs leverage more than 80 years of market knowledge from selling and servicing electric vehicles in the United Kingdom. Smith Electric Vehicles produces the Newton™ and the Edison™. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, MO., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.

About Wanxiang Group Corporation

Established in 1969 in China, Wanxiang Group is one of the largest non-government-owned companies in China, the country’s largest automotive components manufacturer, and a conglomerate with more than 12 billion USD revenue covering businesses including financial services, renewable energies, agricultural products, international trading, natural resources, real estate, private equity and venture capital investment, and other areas. Wanxiang Group currently employs more than 30,000 employees worldwide, with 19 companies in 8 countries and a sales and marketing network covering over 50 countries. The Boston Consulting Group has listed Wanxiang Group as one of the 100 most challenging and successful companies in China.

SOURCE Smith Electric Vehicles Corp.

Smith Electric Vehicles, which launched the UK’s first EV Apprenticeship Program, is expanding its intake

(WASHINGTON, TYNE & WEAR.) – 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. Doug MacAndrew is Vice-President of Engineering & Development for Smith Electric Vehicles Europe – and also sits on the North East regional council for Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies.

“It is essential for the UK to invest in STEM education and apprenticeships if we are to maintain and build on our capability as a technology leader in low carbon vehicles,” he said. “This challenge is significant, with an estimated 8,500 new recruits being required between 2011 and 2016 in the North East along to replace those expected to retire in the sector. “Smith Electric Vehicles is very encouraged by the value our current apprentices bring to our business and look forward to this expansion throughout 2012 and the future. “The recruitment of apprentices is a key part in the development of critical skills within our emerging sector. As a demonstration of this, one of our first EV apprentices is now working on our advanced development of vehicles and working towards a university degree, while and another has taken on a lead role in our battery production facility.”

While the company’s first intake focused on EV production roles, the class of 2012 will be deployed in a range of disciplines, including service engineers and back office staff; quality, design engineers and business administration. Lindsay Middleton, Semta National Manager for the North of England, said: “Smith Electric Vehicles is a great example of how apprenticeships deliver employment and training to young recruits that is structured to the key needs of both the individual and the business.

“They offer a real alternative to the university route for training – and with the creation of the advanced manufacturing apprenticeship framework can lead to the same qualifications.” Smith Electric produces electric vehicles for depot-based, predictable route, multi-drop applications. Customers include Sainsbury’s, TNT, DHL and John Lewis. Quiet and clean, these vehicles are ideal for deliveries in residential areas, emit no air pollutants at the point of use and reduce CO2 emissions from transport. The company has developed a training strategy as part of its continuous improvement program.

It placed two staff, including one former apprentice, on undergraduate courses in 2011 and all production line employees have successfully completed NVQ Level 1 and Level 2 training in Manufacturing Improvement. Furthermore, Smith Electric has recruited four graduates into work-based MSc courses. Mick Brophy, managing director of business, innovation and development at Gateshead College said: “An apprenticeship is an excellent way to ensure you gain the valuable skills a company requires while being able to give something back to an employer who’s prepared to invest in your future.

“Gateshead College is among the best in the region for success rates for apprenticeships – to date more than 4,000 apprentices have completed their programs, thanks to the specialist support and training we provide. “And we’ve supported hundreds of employers, like Smith Electric Vehicles, to help them to meet their needs through tailor made programs to train young people for the workplace.”

About Smith Electric Vehicles

Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. (www.smithelectric.com) develops, produces and sells zero-emission commercial electric vehicles that are designed to be an alternative to traditional diesel trucks, providing higher efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. Smith’s vehicle designs leverage more than 80 years of market knowledge from selling and servicing electric vehicles in the United Kingdom. Smith Electric Vehicles produces the Newton™ and the Edison™. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Kansas City, MO., and outside of Newcastle, U.K.