GREY:AZDDQ - Post by User
Post by
deedayon Nov 10, 2010 8:32am
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Post# 17685351
Some bits and bites from MD&A
Some bits and bites from MD&AAT&T continued to run LEEP Lift trucks which were purchased during the first quarter in their fleet. AZD
continues to monitor the vehicles and is considering taking the LEEP Lift product into full production.
The total number of employees increased from 119 at the end of fiscal 2009 to 159 at September 30, 2010.
Most of the increase is related to meeting ongoing product development and anticipated future support in
respect of the Transit Connect Electric program.
The BSG system now incorporates an
electronically controlled clutch, an industry first, which allows AZD’s Balance hybrid to run the auxiliary vehicle
systems including power steering, power brakes and A/C compressors when the engine is off and the vehicle
is in electric mode. This new design eliminated the need for a separate auxiliary pump for steering and
brakes, reducing cost, weight and complexity of the Balance hybrid. Design validation testing of the
production intent new BSG system continued in the quarter and a production intent prototype MY 11 balance
hybrid vehicle was produced in the quarter at Ultilimaster.
Within the third quarter the Company initiated the development of a Plug-In Hybrid variant of the Balance
E450. Plug-In battery pack requirements have been determined and the design was kicked-off. The battery
pack will leverage design work already completed on the Transit Connect Electric. The preliminary PHEV
component packaging design has been completed and parts have been ordered to commence the first
development vehicle build in the fourth quarter.
In support of the European launch of the Transit Connect Electric, AZD took steps to reopen its European
operation, Azure Dynamics UK Ltd. The Company also took steps to complete a minor restructuring of the
organization in order to better align with its mix of current production and development programs. Ricardo
Espinosa was named our new Managing Director of Azure Europe and is in the process of transferring from
his role as VP of Engineering out of our Boston office to the UK. The Company also secured temporary
offices in the UK close to Ford’s Dunton headquarters in England which has and will facilitate rapid progress
on our development of sales and service infrastructure in Europe.