New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Wednesday, 05 January 2011 04:56 | 
Written by Neil McIntee
Smith Electric UK sold to US counterpart
Smith Electric US has announced the purchase of its UK parent company, Smith Electric Vehicles, from the Tanfield Group for $15m — around £9.6m. Tanfield retains a 49 per cent equity share in the expanded US company.“The board of Tanfield believes that the structure of this transaction offers the best possible deal for all parties. Tanfield’s Powered Access Division benefits from additional working capital and we create a single, global electric vehicle business that is a market leader in both Europe and North America,” said Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc.
“This sale signals a bright future for the electric commercial vehicle industry,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith Electric US. “Being in a position to unify Smith’s divisions after less than two years of operating in the United States is evidence that the market for affordable, sustainable commercial fleets is fertile. The unification of Smith Electric Vehicles will create operational efficiencies and market synergies that will make Smith more financially sound and productive.”
As well as the all-electric 7.5 tonne Newton truck (top picture), Smith also sells the Ford Transit-based Edison and the latest company to take delivery of one is Dulux.As part of Dulux Decorator Centres’ ongoing commitment to be a greener business it has introduced an electric Edison van to its store in the Westfield London shopping centre, at the heart of the White City development in Shepherd’s Bush. Designed for urban delivery operations, the Edison has a range of 80 miles and a top speed of 50mph.