Think,  the Norwegian electric vehicle maker, has started production of the City at its plant in Elkhart, Ind.

The company plans to build 300 Think City electric cars there by year-end and some 2,500 in 2011.

“We are now manufacturing and selling both in Europe and the U.S. and have produced more than 2,500 THINK City vehicles,” Think Chief Executive Barry Engle said in a release.

The  Elkhart plant receives partially assembled vehicles from contract manufacturer and European producer Valmet in Finland. The 25 workers at the Indiana plant will install the electric drive trains and other components. Employment there is expected to grow to 100 next year and 415 in 2012.

“Our process eliminates the need for paint or welding shops, so it is environmentally very clean, is low capital intensive and is readily replicable for other locations to support future growth,” said Think Manufacturing Director Karl Turner.