View source for Think City

{{Short description|Compact electric hatchback}}
{{Infobox electric vehicle
|name=Th!nk City
|manufacturer=[[Think Global]]
|production = 2001–2002 (trials)<BR/>2008 – March 2011 (Europe)<br> November 2010 – August 2012 (US)
|image=Think City 2007.jpg
}}

The '''Think City''' (stylized as the '''TH!NK City''') is an [[electric car|electric]] [[city car]] that was produced by [[Norway|Norwegian]] carmaker [[Think Global]], and production partner [[Valmet Automotive]] from 2008 to 2012. It is a small two-seater/2+2-seater highway capable vehicle, with a top speed of {{convert|110|km/h}}, and an [[all-electric range]] of {{convert|160|km}} on a full charge.<ref name=worldcarfans.com/><ref name=GCC0911/>

As of early 2011, the Th!nk was one of only five [[crash test|crash-tested]], mass-produced, and highway-certified [[electric car]]s in the world, together with the [[Tesla Roadster (2008)]], the [[Mitsubishi i-MiEV]], the [[Nissan Leaf]] and the [[Smart ED]]. The Th!nk City was sold in [[Norway]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Spain]], [[France]], [[Austria]], [[Switzerland]], [[Finland]], the [[United Kingdom]]  and the [[United States]].<ref name=GCC0911>{{cite news|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/09/thinkev-20100911.html#more|title=THINK Begins EV Sales in Finland|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-09-11|access-date=2010-09-12}}</ref><ref name=ABG0913>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/think-kicks-off-sales-of-city-electric-vehicle-in-finland/|title=Think kicks off sales of City electric vehicle in Finland|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|author=Eric Loveday|date=2010-09-13|access-date=2010-09-14}}</ref> {{As of|2010|10}}, a total of 2,500 units had been manufactured at Oslo-based TH!NK's production facility.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.energytrend.com/news/20101012-592.html |title= Electric Vehicle Maker Think Builds 2,500th World's Best-Selling City Model |author=<!--Not stated-->|publisher= Energy Trend |date=2010-10-12 |access-date=2016-03-12}}</ref> Norway was the leading market with 1,120 units registered through September 2013.<ref name=NorwaySales2011/>

Due to financial difficulties, production of the Th!nk City in Finland was stopped in March 2011, and the company filed for bankruptcy on June 22, 2011, for the fourth time in 20 years.<ref name=Bankruptcy2011>{{cite news|url=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110622/COPY01/306229798/1193|title=Norwegian EV maker Think files for bankruptcy|author=Douglas A. Bolduc|work=[[Automotive News]]|date=2011-06-22 |access-date=2011-06-23}}</ref> Think Global was purchased soon after by Electric Mobility Solutions AS, which announced production to resume in early 2012 with a refined Think City.<ref name=EMS2012/> However, production never resumed, and the Indiana plant completed its final car in August 2012.<ref name=GreenCar>{{cite web|last=Ingram|first=Anthony|title=Last Few Think City Electric Cars Being Finished in Indiana|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1078613_last-few-think-city-electric-cars-being-finished-in-indiana|publisher=The Green Car Report |access-date=2012-08-22 |date=2012-08-20}}</ref>

__TOC__

==History==
The vehicle was known as the Pivco PIV4 in its prototype phase. Ford bought the Norwegian company in 1999 in anticipation of the incoming [[California Air Resources Board#Zero-Emission Vehicle Program|California Air Resources Board zero emissions vehicle mandate]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Dell |first1=John |title=Ford's Think City Trying a Power Play |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-17-fi-58174-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=17 Oct 2001}}</ref> After the laws partially wound back and made less stringent, Ford ceased production of the vehicle in 2002 with 1,005 units produced. Ford sold the Norwegian electric car company the following year.<ref name="The Driven"/>

The Th!nk City was exhibited for the first time in the [[UK]] in July 2008.<ref name="worldcarfans.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080723.008/new-thnk-city-ev-makes-uk-show-debut |title=New TH!NK city EV Makes UK Show Debut|publisher=Worldcarfans |access-date=2009-08-27}}</ref> At the 2008 [[Geneva Motor Show]], Think announced that the Th!nk City would be launched in Denmark and Sweden in 2008, followed by launching in the UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.think.no/think/Press-Pictures/Press-releases/Norwegian-Design-to-Geneve |title=Think Geneva motor show press release |publisher=Think.no |access-date=2010-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819180426/http://www.think.no/think/Press-Pictures/Press-releases/Norwegian-Design-to-Geneve |archive-date=2009-08-19 }}</ref>

At the 2008 [[British International Motor Show]] at the [[ExCeL Exhibition Centre]], London, THINK announced that the Th!nk City will be available to UK customers from the summer of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LINKS/arc_jul_2008/210708think.htm |title=Think British International Motor Show press release |publisher=Newspress.co.uk |access-date=2010-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724142004/http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LINKS/arc_jul_2008/210708think.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref> Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] joined Transport Minister [[Geoff Hoon]] for a presentation by managing director of Think UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/9081028.008/prime-minister-gordon-brown-samples-thnk-city-ev-at-downing-street |title=Prime Minister Gordon Brown Samples TH!NK city EV at Downing Street |publisher=Worldcarfans |access-date=2009-08-27}}</ref>

==First generation (2000)==
{{Infobox electric vehicle
|name=First generation
|manufacturer=[[Ford TH!NK]]
|production = 2000–2002 (370 produced)
|image=2000 Ford TH!NK City.jpg
|wheelbase={{convert|1976|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|2991|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|1604|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|1563|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|940|kg|lb||abbr=on}}
|assembly=[[Aurskog]], Norway
|motor = {{Convert|27|kW|hp|abbr=on}} 3-phase [[induction motor]]
|range={{convert|30|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}
|battery=12 kWh [[nickel-cadmium battery]] (NiCd)
}}

The original Think City was produced by the [[Ford Motor Company]]'s Norwegian subsidiary [[Ford TH!NK|TH!NK]] from 2000 until 2002.<ref name="The Driven">{{cite news |last1=Gilboy |first1=James |title=The Brief, Bizarre Tale of the Ford Th!nk City: The Norwegian-American Micro Electric Car |url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/30161/the-brief-bizarre-tale-of-the-ford-thnk-city-the-norwegian-american-micro-electric-car |work=The Drive |date=4 Oct 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Think (2000-2003) |url=http://www.elbil.no/kjope-elbil/brukte-elbiler/978-brukte-think-forrige-generasjon |publisher=Norsk elbilforening |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719162405/http://www.elbil.no/kjope-elbil/brukte-elbiler/978-brukte-think-forrige-generasjon |archive-date=19 July 2014|language=no}}</ref> It was leased in limited numbers in Europe and the United States.

More than 370 vehicles were delivered to customers in North America. They were largely leased to individuals and companies as part of [[station car]] trials in California and New York. [[NHTSA]] regulations stipulated that these vehicles could not legally remain in the United States beyond the three-year time frame for these trials. Around half of the North American units were scrapped while the other half were exported back to Norway as used cars.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ford Think City electric vehicle demonstration program - final project report |url=https://avt.inl.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/uev/thinkcitydemoreportfinal.pdf |publisher=[[Idaho National Laboratory]] |access-date=30 January 2023 |date=18 July 2005}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Second generation (2008)==
{{Infobox electric vehicle
|name=Second generation
|manufacturer=[[Think Global]]
|production = 2008 – March 2011 (Europe)<br> November 2010 – August 2012 (US) (2,500 produced)
|image=Th!nk city.jpg
|caption=A Th!nk City in [[Denmark]]
|wheelbase={{convert|1970|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|3143|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|1658|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|1596|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|1038|kg|lb||abbr=on}}
|assembly=[[Aurskog]], Norway<br>[[Uusikaupunki]], Finland ([[Valmet Automotive]])<br>[[Elkhart, Indiana]], United States
|motor = {{Convert|34|kW|hp|abbr=on}} 3-phase [[induction motor]]<ref name="Official technical specifications">{{cite web|url=http://think.no/nor/THINK-City/Spesifikasjoner/Tekniske-data |title=Official technical specifications |publisher=Think |date=2011-05-22 |access-date=2011-05-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703142646/http://think.no/nor/THINK-City/Spesifikasjoner/Tekniske-data |archive-date=2011-07-03 }}</ref>
|range={{convert|160|km|mi|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="Official technical specifications"/>
|battery=24 kWh [[molten salt battery|zebra battery]] (NaAlCl<sub>4</sub>),<br> 23 kWh [[EnerDel Li-ion battery]],<br> 18.7 kWh [[A123 Li-ion battery]]<ref name="Official technical specifications"/>
}}

===Production===
[[Think Global]] originally planned to start deliveries to Norwegian customers in the last quarter of 2007. That target was missed, but as of August 2008 some 100 electric cars had been manufactured for customers in [[Norway]].<ref name="thegreenwombat.com">{{Cite web|url=http://thegreenwombat.com/2008/08/12/ford-exec-jumps-to-think-global/|title=Ford exec jumps to Think Global|access-date=2010-12-28|year=2008|author=Todd Woody|work=thegreenwombat.com}}</ref>
On December 15, 2008, the carmaker suspended all vehicle production and laid off 50% of its staff pending negotiation of up to {{USD|29}} million in funding for working capital, citing "urgent financial distress."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/electric-carmaker-suddenly-on-the-brink/|work=The New York Times|title=Electric Carmaker Suddenly in Trouble|date=2008-12-07|access-date=2010-09-14}}</ref> Production of the Th!nk City restarted on December 10, 2009, at [[Valmet Automotive]] in [[Uusikaupunki]], [[Finland]].<ref name="valmet-automotive.com/automotive">{{cite web|url=http://www.valmet-automotive.com/automotive/bulletin.nsf/PEBD/0D0E1E14E3072B3FC225768800344C46?opendocument|title=THINK City production starts at Valmet Automotive|access-date=2009-12-11|work=valmet-automotive.com/automotive}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/think-restarts-production-in-finland/?scp=1&sq=Think%20Restarts%20Production%20in%20Finland&st=cse|title=Think Restarts Production in Finland|work=The New York Times|author=Jim Montavalli|date=2009-12-11|access-date=2010-04-04}}</ref> In October 2010 production had reached 2,500 units, making the Th!nk City one of the world's best selling pure electric cars.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/11/think-builds-2-500th-think-city-in-europe-u-s-operations-are-a/|title=Think builds 2,500th Think City in Europe; U.S. operations are ahead of schedule|publisher=[[Autoblog.com|Autoblog Green]]|date=2010-10-11|access-date=2010-10-12}}</ref>

On November 24, 2010, Think North America began manufacturing in the Magnum Drive plant located in [[Elkhart, Indiana]]. Initially the Finland plant manufactures the body and wheels on the chassis, then ships them to the United States. The [[lithium-ion battery]], made by [[Ener1|EnerDel]] in Indianapolis, the motor and gearbox, seats, headlights and other components are assembled in the Elkhart plant. Each car takes about a week to complete.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=528772|title=Elkhart goes to work building the world's best-selling electric car (video)|publisher=eTruth.com|date=2010-11-24|access-date=2010-11-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124235226/http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=528772|archive-date=2010-11-24}}</ref>

Due to financial difficulties, production of the Th!nk City in Finland was stopped in March 2011, and the company filed for bankruptcy in Norway on June 22, 2011, for the fourth time in 20 years. Although Think North America is a separate entity, its future also is in doubt because it is financially supported by the headquarters in Norway.<ref name=Bankruptcy2011/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/23/inside-think-bankruptcy/|title=Inside the Think bankruptcy: was the plastic electric too late, too expensive?|author=Sebastian Blanco|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-06-23}}</ref> Production in the Elkhart plant was halted a few days before the bankruptcy filing due to delays in the delivery of parts required to assemble the electric cars.<ref name=IndyStar>{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/article/201106231346/BUSINESS/106230437|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208093949/http://www.indystar.com/article/201106231346/BUSINESS/106230437|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-08|title=Future of Elkhart's electric car plant dimming|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-06-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/24/will-the-think-bankruptcy-affect-operations-in-elkhart-in/|title=Will the Think bankruptcy affect operations in Elkhart, IN?|author=Eric Loveday|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|date=2011-06-24|access-date=2011-06-25}}</ref>

Think Global's assets were bought by [[Electric Mobility Solutions AS]] in July 2011, including [[shares]] of wholly owned [[subsidiaries]] THINK North America and THINK UK. The new owners announced that production is scheduled to restart in early 2012 with a refined Think City.<ref name=EMS2012>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/official-think-global-purchased-by-electric-mobility-solutions/|title=Official: Think Global purchased by Electric Mobility Solutions AS
|author=Sebastian Blanco|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|date=2011-07-25|access-date=2011-08-01}}</ref>

===Specifications===
{{prose|section|date=May 2015|reason=this should highlight the specifications for the car, and not all the features of bucket seats}}
The car has a 24&nbsp;[[Kilowatt hour|kWh]] traction battery and inbuilt charger, and will re-charge from a standard 230&nbsp;volt, 10 or 16&nbsp;[[Ampere|amp]] supply in 9.5–10 hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thinkev.com/The-THINK-City/Charging |title=Charging / The THINK City / THINK Electric Car - the all electric and highway safe THINK City |publisher=Thinkev.com |access-date=2010-06-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623075826/http://www.thinkev.com/The-THINK-City/Charging |archive-date=2010-06-23 }}</ref>

* Motor: 3-phase electric induction motor. It is capable of delivering {{convert|34|kW|hp|abbr=on}} and {{convert|66|lbft|Nm|abbr=on|0}} of torque.
* Gear box: Fixed reduction gear, permanently connected to drive wheels. Ratio 1:10,15.
* Front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. ABS Power brakes with electric pump w/ regenerative braking.
* Steering Type: Electrohydraulic power steering with fluid reservoir in motor compartment. Steering rack with power steering. Turning diameter: 29.5&nbsp;ft.
* Curb weight: {{convert|1065|kg|lb||abbr=on}}; load capacity with passengers: {{convert|202|kg|lb||abbr=on}}; Total weight {{convert|1307|kg|lb||abbr=on}}

===Sales and price===
[[File:Think City WAS 2010 8917.JPG|thumb|Th!nk City exhibited at the 2010 [[Washington Auto Show]].]]
[[File:Think City EDTA DC 04 2011 1826.jpg|thumb|Th!nk City electric cars at a test drive event in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]

====Europe====
As of September 2010 the Th!nk City was on sale in [[Norway]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Spain]], [[France]], [[Austria]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Finland]].<ref name=GCC0911/><ref name=ABG0913/>

;Norway
The list price for the car in Norway was {{NOK|link=yes|244,000}} before optional features, which is approximately {{USD|38,000}}, or {{GBP|25,400}}, or {{euro|30,700}}. During 2011 a total of 133 units were sold in Norway. {{As of|2013|09|30}}, [[Th!nk City]]/PIV 4 registrations totaled 1,120 units.<ref name=NorwaySales2011>{{cite web|url=http://gronnbil.no/nyheter/eventyrlig-elbilsalg-i-2011-article218-239.html|title=Eventyrlig elbilsalg i 2011|trans-title=Adventurous electric vehicle sales in 2011|author=Ole Henrik Hannisdahl|publisher=Grønn bil|date=2012-01-09|access-date=2012-01-14|language=Norwegian|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207090813/http://gronnbil.no/nyheter/eventyrlig-elbilsalg-i-2011-article218-239.html|archive-date=2012-02-07}} ''See table "Elbilsalg i 2011 fordelt på måned og merke" (Electric vehicle sales in 2011, by month and brand) to see monthly sales for 2011.''{{dead link|date=August 2016}}</ref><ref name=NorwayEVs092013>{{cite web|url=http://www.elbil.no/nyheter/statistikk/3103-sa-mange-elbiler-er-det-i-norge-na|title=Så mange elbiler er det i Norge nå|language=Norwegian|trans-title=So many electric cars are in Norway's reach|author=Norsk Elbilforening|publisher=Norsk Elbilforening (Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association)|date=2013-10-22|access-date=2016-03-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616221430/http://www.elbil.no/nyheter/statistikk/3103-sa-mange-elbiler-er-det-i-norge-na|archive-date=2016-06-16}} ''{{As of|2013|09|30}}, [[Th!nk City]]/PIV 4 registrations totaled 1,120 units in Norway.''</ref>

;Finland
The list price for the car in Finland was {{euro|49,600}}.<ref name=HS0209>{{cite news|url=http://www.hs.fi/autot/artikkeli/Think+City+-s%C3%A4hk%C3%B6autojen+myynti+alkoi/1135259833034|title=Think City -sähköautojen myynti alkoi (in Finnish)|publisher=Helsingin Sanomat|date=2010-09-02|access-date=2011-02-06}}</ref>

;France
During 2010 a total of 11 units were registered in France.<ref name=SalesFR2010>{{cite web|url=http://www.automobile-propre.com/dossiers/voitures-electriques/chiffres-vente-immatriculations-france/|title=Chiffres de vente & immatriculations de voitures électriques en France|trans-title=Sales figures & electric car registrations in France|author=Autoactu.com|publisher=Automobile Proper|access-date=2012-01-14|language=French}}</ref> A total of 110 units were sold in 2011.<ref name=SalesFr2011>{{cite web|url=http://automobile.fr.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=160203136|title=2630 voitures électriques immatriculées en 2011|trans-title=2630 electric cars registered in 2011|language=French|author=Laurent Meillaud|publisher=MSN France|date=2012-01-14|access-date=2012-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606161359/http://automobile.fr.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=160203136|archive-date=2013-06-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====United States====
The Th!nk City retail price was {{USD|36,495}} before any applicable [[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles#United States|federal and local incentives]].<ref name=ThinkSales>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2011/03/think-announces-36495-msrp-for-city-ev.html |title=Think Announces $36,495 MSRP for City EV |publisher=[[Edmunds.com]] |author=Scott Doggett |date=2011-03-30 |access-date=2011-04-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404093812/http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2011/03/think-announces-36495-msrp-for-city-ev.html |archive-date=2011-04-04 }}</ref> However, due to the higher cost of low production, Think USA announced that the price of the first 100 units was {{USD|41,695}} before any incentives. The first 100 Th!nks were delivered in late 2010 mostly to fleet customers in [[Indiana]]. Sales to the general public were expected to begin by mid-2011.<ref name=ThinkSales/><ref name=Pluin1115>{{cite web|url=http://www.plugincars.com/exclusive-think-reveals-marketing-city-strategy-its-small-electric-car-106450.html|title=Think Reveals City Marketing Strategy for Its Small Electric Car|publisher=PluginCars.com|author=Brad Berman|date=2010-11-15|access-date=2010-11-27}}</ref><ref name=Pluin0325>{{cite web|url=http://www.plugincars.com/think-quietly-raised-price-city-electric-car-41695-106966.html|title=Think Quietly Sets Price of City Electric Car at $41,695 (Update)|publisher=PluginCars.com|author=Brad Berman|date=2011-03-25|access-date=2011-03-28}}</ref> Think North America issued three recalls on the first cars produced at the Elkhart plant for defects to its gear shift levers, seat belts and defrosting systems.<ref name=IndyStar/>

The company expected to sell 2,000 to 3,000 cars in 2011 via three to five branded stores in five markets: [[Southern California]], the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[New York City]], [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Indianapolis]], and planned to market the electric car as an urban [[city car]].<ref name=Pluin1115/>

Following the bankruptcy of [[Think Global]], the remaining 150 Th!nk cars in stock in the U.S. were put on nationwide sale at a discounted price of {{USD|22,500}} before any federal and local incentives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1074719_discontinued-2011-think-city-electric-cars-for-sale-22500|title=Discontinued 2011 Think City Electric Cars For Sale: $22,500|author=John Voelcker|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=2012-03-30|access-date=2012-04-02}}</ref> 
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles]]
*[[List of electric cars currently available]]
*[[List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles]]
*[[List of production battery electric vehicles]]
*[[Zero-emissions vehicle]]
*[[Think Global]]

==References==
{{Reflist|40em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Think City}}
*[http://www.electricms.com Electric Mobility Solutions AS website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718103429/http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/InStoryVideo.aspx?ID=528772 Video of production starting in Indiana, US]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Th!Nk City}}
[[Category:Electric city cars]]
[[Category:Production electric cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 2000]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 2012]]
[[Category:2000s cars]]
[[Category:2010s cars]]
[[Category:Automotive industry in Norway]]
[[Category:Cars of Norway]]