The Lexus division of Toyota Motor Corp. (Japan) announced that it was delaying the US launch of a gasoline-electric hybrid version of its RX 400h sport-utility vehicle. The automaker reported in late September that it planned to begin selling the RX 400h hybrids early next year, however, Toyota announced that it would put them on […]
Lithium Technology Corp. (LTC, Plymouth Meeting, PA), a rechargeable lithium battery manufacturer, introduced a 288 V hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) battery at the 2004 Munich Electronics Trade Fair. The battery, developed by LTC's GAIA Europe Unit in Nordhausen, Germany, is expected to replace other energy storage devices in the next generation of hybrid vehicles. Another one […]
NEC Electronics Corp. (Japan) introduced its 78K0/Kx2 Series of eight-bit microcontrollers (MCUs). The 48-product 78K0/Kx2 Series is targeted for use in a wide range of home appliances, consumer electronic products, industrial equipment, automotive systems, lighting systems and sensors. The 78K0/Kx2 MCUs are manufactured using a 0.15-micron process technology. The 78K0/Kx2 Series offers operating speeds up […]
Ansoft Corp. (Pittsburgh, PA) announced that it expects revenue to increase approximately 30% compared to the same period a year ago, exceeding the upper end of the company's previous guidance of a 15% increase. The company plans to report its second-quarter results, as well as updated guidance for the fiscal year, on November 18, 2004.
Valence Technology Inc. (Austin, TX) announced it has formed a joint technology development program with Segway LLC (Manchester, NH). Valence will work with Segway to develop long-range battery packs for Segway's Human Transporter, an electric, self-balancing transportation device. Financial terms of the deal have not been released. Valence is developing battery packs that will use […]
The BMW Group (Munich, Germany) is reportedly working on series development of a car driven by a hydrogen combustion engine. The progressive sedan is based on the current BMW 7 Series. Top speed will be 215 kph (133 mph) and, the cruising range will be in excess of 200 km or 125 mi on hydrogen […]
Parker Hannifin Corp. (UK), a leading manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, announced it is making an equity investment in Vectrix Corp., a zero-emission vehicle company that manufactures high-performance electric scooters. Parker's investment will help Vectrix to begin production of a full-size, high-performance, long-range, low-emission electric scooter. Financial terms were not disclosed. Parker […]
International Rectifier Corp. (IR, El Segundo, CA) announced that it is expanding its automotive facility in Swansea, and is on target for growth at its Newport fab. The company is planning to increase staff levels at its Swansea site to 250 from the current level of around 220 by the end of the year. The […]
Mazda Motor Corp. (Tokyo, Japan) announced plans to launch an environmentally friendly, gasoline-electric hybrid, sport-utility vehicle by using technology jointly developed with affiliate Ford Motor Co. Mazda, along with Ford, has also been developing a green hydrogen-electric hybrid vehicle. Mazda President Hisakazu Imaki stated, "We are working on developing a hybrid version of the Tribute […]
Cobasys, a supplier of advanced nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery systems, and Azure Dynamics Corp. (Vancouver, BC), a leading developer of hybrid-electric power trains for commercial vehicles, are cooperating on the development of HEVs using NiMH battery packs for the postal and package delivery fleet markets. Azure currently has a contract with Purolator for the production […]
Westport Innovations Inc. (Vancouver, BC) released the final results of a demonstration of buses fueled with a blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). Results showed that the HCNG buses retained the same power and torque of natural gas buses while producing about 50% less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and non-methane hydrocarbon (nmHC) emissions. "The […]
Saft (France), a multi-technology battery specialist for industrial, military, defense, aviation and space applications, announced that the first production lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries in support of the US Army's Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) have been shipped. Saft was awarded the battery contract by Raytheon Company under a program managed by […]
China has announced plans to test its first fuel cell bus on the streets of Beijing late next year, said a professor of Tsinghua University in charge of the project. Ouyang Minggao, a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and the director of China's National Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, believes China has an […]
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. (Irvine, CA) and the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center's (TARDEC) National Automotive Center...
Audi and Volkswagen AG (Auburn Hills, MI) have both revealed that they are working on hydrogen-powered cars. Audi is working on the...