Norwegian automaker Think, spelled like Th!nk, is planning to expand its business by building an assembly plant in the U.S. The company says by 2010 everything will be ready to start the production of 16,000 Think City cars per year.

Think is known for Aurskog, Norway-built electric vehicle that is already selling in Europe. The small car runs 112 miles on one charge reaching the top speed of 65 mph. However, the manufacturer is attracted by American market more, because its customers are more welcome to EVs.

While many facilities in the U.S. are closing, Think CEO, Richard Canny, claims, “We see ourselves playing a small but potentially growing role in reinventing the U.S. auto industry by bringing back new manufacturing jobs to the U.S.” In the beginning 300 workers will be hired to work at the plant, but later it will expand to 900 employees assembling 60,000 Think City cars.

Eight states are considered as possible home for the facility which will be financed by low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program.