ZONGSHEN PLANS TO ACQUIRE AMERICAN BLUEBIRD SCHOOL BUS COMPANY
Published at 20.03.2012 in International developments, Public transport
In how far these plans need to be taken serious, is unclear, because Zongshen at this moment is mainly a motorcycle manufacturer. But it obviously wants to enter the growing market for school buses, claiming to be in talks with Bluebird to take over the company and start a schoolbus production in its Chongqing motorcycle plant. Zongshen wants to pay $ 250 million for the acquisition of Bluebird, it says. Chinese schoolbus sales may hit 70.000 units in 2012, with further growth foreseen for the coming years.
WEBASTO TAKES OVER DIAVIA COOLING SYSTEM
Published at 17.03.2012 in Components, International developments
Webasto, the Germany based automotive supplier, announced the signature of a share purchase agreement to buy from Delphi Italia Automotive Systems S.r.l. its Diavia cooling system business for off-highway and special applications like electric buses.
QUÉBEC LAUNCHES $73M ELECTRIC BUS PROJECT
Published at 11.03.2012 in Alternatives, International developments
The Québec premier, Jean Charest, accompanied by Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Clement Gignac, launched a $73-million electric bus project. The Québec government is supporting the work with $ 30 million to the Electric Bus Consortium.
CHINA YUCHAI INAUGURATES NEW GAS ENGINE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Published at 08.03.2012 in Alternatives, International developments
China Yuchai International Limited’s main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL) has inaugurated a new project to develop and produce a full portfolio of natural gas powered engines to complement its existing suite of diesel engines. Customers will be offered a greater choice of GYMCL’s engines to meet their needs, especially in the large bus, mid- to heavy-duty truck, power generator and marine engine markets.
A123 SYSTEMS TO SUPPLY LI-ION PACKS TO TATA MOTORS
Published at 06.03.2012 in Alternatives, International developments
The battery packs are destined for hybrid electric transit buses and other commercial vehicles tob e built by Tata. A123 Systems will supply complete lithium-ion battery packs to India’s largest automaker, for Tata’s hybrid electric systems for commercial vehicle applications. A123’s scalable battery packs are designed to fit into multiple powertrain architectures that can be implemented into a wide variety of commercial vehicles, providing Tata with a solution for meeting a variety of performance, range and durability requirements.
