Right Lane Cruiser
04-06-2009, 07:03 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg "The fact that this is coming together in a private-public partnership, that's rare in the United States right now." (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090405/BUSINESS/904050322)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Kenworth_on_the_road.jpgTed Evanoff - IndyStar (http://www.indystar.com) - April 5, 2009
The more we see of this in the US, the better! --Ed.
Allison, Cummins and Delphi for years have been key Indiana companies with little in common except a shared heritage in the auto industry.
Now the trio are linking in a loose alliance meant to bring their separate talents -- heavy transmissions, powerful diesels, electronic controls -- into a single hybrid-electric propulsion system for work trucks.
While much of the automotive world is focused on selling large numbers of the Toyota Prius, Chevrolet Volt and other hybrid-electric cars, the alliance coming to the fore in Central Indiana is looking for niches. Its first focus will be commercial trucks and, later, ways to scale what works for trucks for the car market. It also could take the technology overseas for sale to foreign vehicle makers.
With the Detroit auto industry in distress and unable to take a commanding lead in new technology, the opportunity has opened for product innovation among suppliers, industry analysts say. But the disarray in Detroit also left the suppliers unorganized and without the common intelligence the automakers once provided to keep the suppliers focused on... http://www.indystar.com/article/20090405/BUSINESS/904050322
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Kenworth_on_the_road.jpgTed Evanoff - IndyStar (http://www.indystar.com) - April 5, 2009
The more we see of this in the US, the better! --Ed.
Allison, Cummins and Delphi for years have been key Indiana companies with little in common except a shared heritage in the auto industry.
Now the trio are linking in a loose alliance meant to bring their separate talents -- heavy transmissions, powerful diesels, electronic controls -- into a single hybrid-electric propulsion system for work trucks.
While much of the automotive world is focused on selling large numbers of the Toyota Prius, Chevrolet Volt and other hybrid-electric cars, the alliance coming to the fore in Central Indiana is looking for niches. Its first focus will be commercial trucks and, later, ways to scale what works for trucks for the car market. It also could take the technology overseas for sale to foreign vehicle makers.
With the Detroit auto industry in distress and unable to take a commanding lead in new technology, the opportunity has opened for product innovation among suppliers, industry analysts say. But the disarray in Detroit also left the suppliers unorganized and without the common intelligence the automakers once provided to keep the suppliers focused on... http://www.indystar.com/article/20090405/BUSINESS/904050322