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Now consumers can seamlessly finance home charger and installation
with electric vehicle (EV) purchases in a single transaction
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Finance and Insurance (F&I)-friendly packages present opportunities
for dealers to improve their EV Customer Satisfaction index
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AeroVironment's home charger reduces charging time by more than half
to 120 Volt Level 1 plug-in that comes standard with most EVs
MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AeroVironment,
Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today launched a dealer program that provides
turnkey residential charging packages to consumers purchasing new
electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and allows them to
finance the charger in combination with the vehicle at the time of sale.
The program, which is the first of its kind, makes dealerships
one-stop-shops for EV drivers and expands dealers' F&I product offerings.
AeroVironment is exhibiting the program at the National Automotive
Dealers Association Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida (Booth
#3953) this week.
EVs and PHEVs typically come equipped with a Level 1 120 Volt charger.
Through AeroVironment's dealer program, new owners can now purchase an
EVSE-RS Level 2 240 Volt residential charging station that reduces
charge time by more than half, from up to 22 hours to between 3 and 8
hours.
"AeroVironment has decades of experience providing complete charging
solutions that support the practical transition to electric vehicles,"
said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice president and general
manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. "With our new
dealer program, AeroVironment is putting the second half of the EV
equation — the home charger — at the vehicle's point of sale. This makes
it easier for drivers to purchase, and for dealers to participate more
actively in the evolution toward clean, electric transportation."
Dealers can offer various warranty options that match the financing
terms of the vehicle. Chargers bought through the dealer program are
installed by a licensed electrician certified in EV charging
installation. If needed, AeroVironment also provides at-home, in-person
support.
To ensure dealers and consumers realize the maximum value from the new
program, AeroVironment provides dealers with one-on-one and online
training to familiarize them with it. AeroVironment provides dealers
with point-of-purchase marketing support including home charging
displays, window stickers and consumer brochures. The company also
offers both Level 2 and DC "fast" charging stations for use in dealer
service bays and customer parking areas.
"AeroVironment offers state-of-the-art products and our customers have
been extremely satisfied with the service," said James Azzaro,
commercial vehicle sales manager at John Howard Motors in Morgantown,
WV. "The AeroVironment dealer program provides a complete, seamless
experience for our customers. Not only does it make us a one-stop-shop,
but it also guarantees support for our customers from a company that
cares."
Dealers attending the NADA conference in Orlando, Fla. can learn more by
visiting AeroVironment at booth #3953 or by attending its cocktail
reception February 9, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Peabody
Hotel. To sign up for the dealer program, contact AeroVironment at
888-499-8759 or email dealers@avinc.com.
AeroVironment is the preferred home charging supplier of the Nissan
LEAF®, BMW ActiveE, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The company's broad line of
home charging systems includes the standard Level 2 home charging system
and a do-it-yourself wall-mounted "plug-in" unit that is available for
dealer stock. More information on AeroVironment's EV charging solutions
can be found at www.evsolutions.com.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment is a technology
solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, operates and
supports an advanced portfolio of electric transportation solutions and
electric-powered Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS). AeroVironment's comprehensive EV
charging solutions include EV home charging, public charging, fast
charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications and complete
installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers,
utilities, government agencies and businesses. AeroVironment's industrial
electric vehicle charging systems support thousands of electric
materials handling vehicles in mission-critical supply chains for
Fortune 500 enterprises. AeroVironment's power
cycling and test systems provide EV developers and EV battery
manufacturers with market-leading simulation and cycling capabilities.
Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services
use the company's electric-powered, hand-launched
unmanned aircraft systems to provide situational awareness to
tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance,
surveillance and communication. More information is available at www.avinc.com
and www.evsolutions.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press
release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and
assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological
factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to; the
activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to
grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new
products or integrate new technology with current products; and general
economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in
the world. For a further list and description of such risks and
uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Additional AeroVironment News: http://avinc.com/resources/news/
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AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin, +1-626-357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
For
AeroVironment, Inc.
Anne Leverdier/Lauren Karasek
+1-310-482-4280
Anne.Leverdier@fleishman.com
Lauren.karasek@fleishman.com
Source: AeroVironment
News Provided by Acquire Media
