Think Global Reboots After Bankruptcy

Think Global AS, a manufacturer of pure electric cars, has been purchased by an international technology entrepreneur looking to maintain the company's role in global transportation electrification.

A court-appointed trustee selected Mr. Boris G. Zingarevich, whose investment operations are based in St. Petersburg, Russia, as the winning bidder following a bankruptcy proceeding initiated by the Norwegian carmaker last month. This bankruptcy marked the fourth time the company has gone through such precedings.

In addition, Mr. Zingarevich has signed a memorandum of understanding with American advanced lithium-ion battery maker Ener1, Inc. and Finnish automobile engineering and manufacturing concern Valmet Automotive, Inc. to cooperate in relaunching Think.

The assets of wholly owned subsidiaries Think North America and Think UK, which have remained going concerns during the bankruptcy proceeding for Think Global, were also acquired in the transaction. Financial advisory services were provided by LATUM, a specialized investment banking and services company.

Ener1 and Valmet were the senior secured creditors of Think when the company filed for bankruptcy after failing to raise adequate capital to continue financing operations. Ener1 and Valmet are negotiating stakes in the new company on the basis of a debt restructuring. Mr. Zingarevich has been a major investor in Ener1 since 2002 and provided bridge funding for Think while the company attempted a reorganization before filing for bankruptcy.

The name of the new company that will market Think brand products is Electric Mobility Solutions AS, registered in Norway. A new sales and service structure for Think will be announced soon. The production restart, with a refined version of the Think City, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2012.

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