The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ford Debuts New TH!NK Group: World's First Full Line Environmental Mobility Brand

10 January 2000

Ford Debuts New TH!NK Group: World's First Full Line Environmental Mobility Brand
    DETROIT, Jan. 10 -- Ford Motor Company today
unveiled a new brand, TH!NK Group, an all-new organization that will provide
innovative solutions for environmentally responsible personal mobility.  Ford
is the only automaker to dedicate an independent brand to a full line of
environmentally responsible products, to include battery and fuel cell
electric technology.
    On hand at the North American International Auto Show to unveil TH!NK to
an international audience of journalists were William Clay Ford Jr., Ford
Motor Company chairman, and Jac Nasser, Ford Motor Company president and chief
executive officer.
    "TH!NK is the organization that will provide us ingenious mobility
solutions for the new millennium.  It is further proof of the company's
commitment to connecting with the customer," said Nasser.
    "Since its inception, our company has been a leader in automotive
technology and innovation.  That same innovative spirit drives us today and
the new generation of TH!NK vehicles is proof that personal mobility and
environmental responsibility can coexist," he added.
    TH!NK Group is comprised of two organizations -- TH!NK Technologies and
TH!NK Mobility.  TH!NK Mobility, LLC, is a limited liability corporation which
is wholly owned by Ford Motor Company.

    TH!NK MOBILITY
    TH!NK Mobility will include an internet-based, e-commerce enterprise
( http://www.thinkmobility.com ) for ordering and optional direct-to-customer
delivery for its TH!NK neighbor personal mobility low speed vehicle and TH!NK
bike fun and TH!NK bike traveler electric bicycles.  The TH!NK neighbor and
TH!NK bikes will also be available through retail outlets, including
participating Ford dealers.
    TH!NK Mobility, LLC, is made up of a line of battery electric vehicles:

    *  TH!NK city -- This innovative battery electric urban car is currently
available for sale or lease in Norway.  It will be available throughout the
rest of Scandinavia starting later this year.  This innovative two-seat
vehicle has a body constructed of recyclable thermoplastic and an approximate
driving range of 55 miles before requiring recharging.  When the redesigned
TH!NK city becomes available in the U.S., certified Ford Ranger EV dealers
will be the only choice for TH!NK city sales, service and delivery.

    *  TH!NK neighbor -- An electric personal mobility low speed vehicle
designed for commuting around closed communities, industrial sites, resorts,
golf courses and private roads.  It will be available later this year in a two
or four seat configuration.  TH!NK neighbor will meet the new U.S. government
FMVSS500 requirements for low speed vehicles, and can be easily modified to
suit individual preferences with a number of options.  TH!NK neighbor will be
available for order online at http://www.thinkmobility.com, with deliveries scheduled
to begin in the fourth quarter of 2000.
    TH!NK neighbor can also be available at retail outlets, including
participating Ford dealers.

    *  TH!NK bike fun and TH!NK bike traveler -- Two electric bicycles that
provide motorized assistance when the customer desires two-wheeled
transportation with added power.  TH!NK bike fun (fixed frame) and THINK bike
traveler (folding frame) will be available for order at http://www.thinkmobility.com,
with deliveries beginning this summer.
    The TH!NK bikes can also be available through retail outlets, including
participating Ford dealers.

    TH!NK TECHNOLOGIES - "POWERED BY TH!NK"
    TH!NK Technologies is responsible for developing and commercializing
Ford's efforts in fuel cell power.  Electric fuel cell technology currently
provides the most promising future alternative to the internal combustion
engine.  The TH!NK FC5 (Fuel Cell, 5th generation), based on a four door 2000
Ford Focus and unveiled today in Detroit, is a family size sedan powered by
the latest generation methanol reformer fuel cell.
    "TH!NK Group provides innovative, environmentally friendly solutions for
personal mobility," said Nasser.  "With world class engineering and a constant
focus on, and rapid response to, custoge, environmentally responsible mobility solutions, such as fuel
cells, across a wide range of vehicles," added Nasser.
    TH!NK is an enterprise of Ford Motor Company, led by John Wallace,
executive director of TH!NK Group.  "TH!NK is where 'ecology meets economy.'
This organization will create new ways of doing business and new products that
provide fun, innovative and ecologically responsible personal mobility for our
customers," said Wallace.
    "Today, we have the TH!NK neighbor personal mobility low speed vehicle,
TH!NK bike fun and TH!NK bike traveler and the TH!NK city electric car -- each
offering a unique transportation solution.  And, on the not-too-distant
horizon, we'll have on the road commercially viable fuel cell vehicles
'Powered by TH!NK'," Wallace noted Company participates in a number
of partnerships dedicated to finding next-generation solutions for personal
transportation. Among them:

    *  California Fuel Cell Partnership -- The first-ever collaboration
between automobile, technology and energy companies to develop and demonstrate
fuel cell vehicles under "real world" conditions.  Phase One of a
demonstration program is scheduled for the summer of this year.

    *  Presidio Trust -- This San Francisco organization is transforming a
former military base into a model of an ecologically responsible community.  A
fleet of TH!NK city electric urban cars will be used in a demonstration
program by residents and commuters.