VOITH LAUNCHES TWO HYBRID SYSTEMS
Voith has developed the DIWAhybrid based upon the proven DIWA technology and supplemented it by an asynchronous motor. The strength of this parallel hybrid lies in its universal suitability, especially for applications in buses with higher average speeds. In heavy city traffic, Voith relies on the serial hybrid solution ElvoDrive. The core component for both solutions is an inverter especially developed by Voith for hybrid applications in buses.
INTRODUCTION OF MODERN DIESEL TECHNOLOGY RETARDED IN CHINA
Published at 12.08.2008 in Technology, Environment
The spread of modern diesel engines using common-rail technology faces barriers in China, due to several problems. Main issue is that China's impure diesel fuel can damage parts of modern common rail engines, which are more or less mandatory for Euro 3 diesel and better. As in Europe and the USA, the sulphur content of this fuel should be lowered substantially. Besides, the government's schedule for tightening emissions rules is unclear.
DAIMLER TO EXPAND BRAZIL BUS PRODUCTION
Published at 12.08.2008 in Company news, International developments
Daimler AG said Tuesday that its Mercedes-Benz unit will increase production of trucks, buses and their components at a plant in Brazil, investing €600 million (US$894 million) in the facility. Daimler said the investment in the Sao Bernardo do Campo plant — to be made between 2009 and 2011 — would result in a 25 percent increase in daily capacity, as well as a modernization of production and an improvement in logistics systems.
NEW CATALYST MARKS MAJOR STEP IN THE MARCH TOWARD HYDROGEN FUEL
In the issue August 1, 2008 of Science, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge led by chemist Daniel Nocera reported on a new water-splitting catalyst that works under environmentally friendly conditions, not made from costly materials like platinum but from cobalt and phosphorus - fairly cheap and abundant elements. The new catalyst needs improvements before it can solve the world's energy problems, but several outside researchers say it's a crucial development.
LORD STOKES 1914 – 2008
Published at 11.08.2008 in Obituary
Lord Stokes, former chief of British Leyland Motor Corporation, died on July 21, 2008, aged 94. Donald Gresham Stokes was the son of the Transport Manager of the Plymouth City Transport undertaking, in those days one of the clients of Leyland. By the age of 11 he knew that he wanted to work for Leyland Motors.
