ANDERSON, IN – Bright Automotive Inc. announced it has entered into an agreement for AM General LLC to be the automaker’s exclusive North American assembler for the Bright Idea plug‐in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

The contract assembly agreement calls for AM General, a long‐established contract vehicle assembler and military vehicle manufacturer, to build the Bright Idea in AM General’s commercial assembly plant in Mishawaka, Ind.  

The Bright Idea, designed for commercial fleets, delivers more than 30 miles of all-electric range and 35 mpg in standard hybrid mode, Bright Automotive said.

“We look forward to finalizing our funding to kick‐start the introduction of our world‐class PHEV work truck, saving U.S. businesses millions of dollars and creating new jobs in the heart of America,” said Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive CEO.

The selection of a contract assembler is one of the necessary steps Bright Automotive must take to meet current manufacturing plans to make the Bright Idea available for sale as early as 2014 to government and commercial fleets. Production of the vehicle is contingent on the completion of Bright Automotive’s funding. This potential funding is a blend of substantial private equity commitments and a loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.

“We are excited to work with AM General, whose proven manufacturing expertise and state‐of‐the‐art assembly facilities will enable us to focus our resources on design and engineering, and work jointly to deliver class‐leading quality, reliability and lowest total cost of ownership to our customers,” said Mike Donoughe, Bright Automotive chief operating officer.