Oak Park, Michigan – Commercial hybrid and electric powertrain company Azure Dynamics Corporation has signed Sales and Service agreements with eight Ford dealerships, including Sherway Ford in Toronto, Ontario, to represent Azure’s Balance Hybrid Electric commercial truck. The other dealerships are in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Oregon, California and Massachusetts.

This brings to fourteen the total number of Ford dealerships signed since the initial enrollment program in June 2008. Azure’s goal is to enlist approximately 50 dealers in major markets in Canada and the U.S. to broaden the distribution network for the Balance truck. The dealerships will maintain inventory of ready-to-deliver cube vans and walk-in vans equipped with Azure’s hybrid electric powertrains.

“These new partners are all highly regarded and influential commercial truck retailers in the major metro markets they serve,” said Jay Sandler, Azure Dynamics vice-president of sales. “We’re thrilled to have them on board.”

The system is integrated on Ford’s E-450 cutaway and strip chassis drive system, and uses a conventional 5.4-litre Triton gasoline engine. The hybrid powertrain features electric launch up to 32 km/h and engine-off at idle. The system can improve fuel economy by up to 40 per cent, while reducing carbon emissions by up to 30 per cent in city conditions.