Governor Daniels and local leaders welcome electric car maker to Elkhart

ELKHART — The crowd inside the former Phillips Products plant was brought to its feet as electric car manufacturer Think unveiled its model City to public. City will be assembled inside the plant once modifications are completed beginning in early 2011. Governor Mitch Daniels believes the new venture is the future of the automotive industry. "They are here in the comeback county of Indiana," said Daniels. "They are in an area that has the potential for explosive growth that could redefine transportation in the new century." "We're determined for Indiana to be the capital of the revolution," Daniels continued. Elkhart City Council voted unanimously to approve incentives including tax abatements. The company also received more than $3 million dollars in tax credits and grants. THINK Chief Executive Officer Richard Canny said his company looked at more two dozen states and counties before selecting Elkhart for its North American production plant. "We wanted to be somewhere to make a difference," said Canny. "We feel welcomed in Elkhart." The company already has about 1,500 vehicles on the road in Europe. Mayor Dick Moore is confident there is real momentum behind THINK and its City vehicle, which were a spin-off from Ford Motor Company. "It's proven," said Moore. "It's already got thousands and thousand of miles in Europe. It's not a dream or concept or an idea or invention, it's proven." Canny said there's a market for these vehicles and he believes the company will be competitive among established automakers in the U.S. "We're the ones out there with the car on the road that you can buy today in Europe, well ahead of others," said Canny. "Other companies have looked at electric vehicles but they're not making them." Governor Daniels, Congressman Joe Donnelly and Mayor Moore test drove the vehicle outside the plant. Daniels said the ride was "smooth and accelerated in an instant." Daniels said the company has the potential to increase the number of green jobs in the state. "It's a huge positive and huge moment for our state and for Elkhart County," said Daniels. "It's an economic rebirth and you can keep this city or county down for long." Representative Joe Donnelly said 70 percent of the content will be made locally. "Elkhart County will be the center of electric vehicle production and technology," said Donnelly. The Think City has a $30,000 price tag. Canny said he hopes government incentives will lower the price to the $20,000 range.