Ford Selects Semcon as Its Partner for the Think Electric Car

    STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Feb. 28, 2001--Semcon has received the assignment of working on the continued development of Think, the electric car, from Think Nordic.
    This means that Semcon will provide resources and competence within design and modification of the existing car. Development work has intensified, as the authorities in California will push through their strict environmental demands aimed at manufacturing vehicles with zero emission levels. A number of Semcon's consultants have been assigned to the project in Aurskog, Norway, where the car is being developed and manufactured.
    Ford, the US auto Group, has begun to intensify development of electric cars via its wholly-owned Norwegian subsidiary, Think Nordic AS. The time is now ripe for electric cars in the US and above all in California, where demand is already huge. In January the information came that the authorities would stick with their strict environmental demands. Think Nordic AS, which from the start of 2001 has global responsibility within the Ford-owned Think Group for the Think electric car, is well prepared to meet these environmental demands.
    "Semcon's focus on design and development, combined with our long experience and specialist knowledge of the auto industry, safeguards quality and continuity in the development process. These strengths help us meet the high demands set by Ford and to fulfil strict US legal requirements in areas such as the environment and crash safety," explains Michael Hellstrom, deputy Managing Director of Semcon Extern AB, a subsidiary of the Semcon Group.
    A decisive factor in selecting Semcon as development partner was the company's long experience in a large number of projects in association with Volvo, a member of the Ford Group. Semcon is thus well acquainted with the Ford Group's quality demands, systems and development environments.
    "This is a prestigious assignment and it is in line with Semcon's focus and commitment within a select area of development-intensive sectors, of which the auto industry is the most important," says Michael Hellstrom.