|
For
Immediate Release
|
|
Champion
Technology and Kantone Team Up with
|
|
HIL
Technologies of UK to Develop Zero to Low Emission "Intelligent
Vehicles" for Tomorrow
|
|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Kantone Holdings Limited (1059) and HIL Technologies plc, UK, a specialist
in electric-powered vehicle technology with over 15 years' experience,
announced the formation of a joint venture to set up "Intelligent
Motors Limited" (IML). IML will develop and market zero and low pollution
"Intelligent Vehicles" for tomorrow. The first production model will
be the "Intelligent Bus". HIL will supply electric-powered and vehicle
body technologies; Kantone will supply radio link and telemetry technology;
and Champion will supply Internet access facilities and systems. The
combined technical know-how of these companies is expected to revolutionize
the public transport industry. In particular, if all partners can
agree to use Hong Kong as the launch site for the project, it will
alleviate the worsening pollution problem. The project will also have
the potential of extending to cover the PRC, the world market and
beyond |
|
| The
signing ceremony was held at the office of the British Consulate-General
with the British Consul-General, Sir Andrew Burns, as the Guest of
Honour. Sir Andrew Burns delivered the opening keynote speech, followed
by a briefing delivered by Mr. Colin Hermon, Director of Corporate
Strategy of HIL Technologies. |
|
| The
first production model under this joint venture will be the "Intelligent
Bus", which will offer fleet operators the following intelligent prospects:
|
|
| --
40% saving in fuel costs compared with petrol-engined buses |
| --
30% to 40% saving in maintenance costs |
| --
probable 95% operational utilization |
| --
full operational system integration at low cost including |
|
| --
telemetry |
| --
radiolink |
| --
location tracking |
| --
routing information |
| --
arrival/departure time display at terminal and bus stops |
| --
internet access (flight information, events for tourists, traffic
conditions, etc.) |
|
| --
guided bus technology |
| --
long life with corrosion free body |
| --
highest possible driver and passenger safety including roll-over protection
|
| --
reduced driver fatigue |
| --
full compliance with all current and proposed environmental regulations
|
| --
very high level of passenger comfort |
|
| Kantone
is pleased to work with HIL to solve the pollution problem created
by public transport vehicles," said Peter Kan, CEO of Kantone Holdings
Limited. "We are glad that Kantone can be the fore-runner to work
for a cleaner and better Hong Kong. It has taken us three years to
conclude our partnership. Since we commenced discussion in 1995, each
party has proceeded with its own R&D on the relevant parts of the
intelligent vehicle. Now that the technical building blocks are in
place, the partners are in a position to identify the location for
the plant and for the first roll-out." At the moment, the launch site
has yet to be finalised. Champion and Kantone will however endeavour
to lobby the S.A.R. Government for support of the project. |
|
| Mr.
Colin Hermon of HIL said,
"We are extremely pleased that this agreement with Kantone has been
reached, and, frankly, we believe Intelligent Motors (IML) will become
a major supplier of low emission vehicles here in SE Asia. However,
IML promises much more, because not only are we and our partner Kantone
bringing more environmentally and user-friendly vehicles to the market,
they will be smarter and more intelligent than any other current models,
or even those on the drawing board. All this value is contributed
by Internet Vehicles Limited, a subsidairy of the Champion Technology
Group." Mr. Hermon continued to express his confidence that the first
model, a 20-seat minibus, would be of world-class quality, reliability,
commercial viability and intelligence. He said they expected to release
pre-production model in two years and turn out meaningful volume beyond
that time-frame. Champion, Kantone and HIL together are preparing
to create an entirely new motor industry with its possible roots here
in Hong Kong. |
|
| Please
direct your enquiries to: |
| Brian
MacLean - Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs |
| Tel.
28969320 Fax. 25583111 Email: brian@championtechnology.com |
| Web
Site:
http://www.championtechnology.com |
|
|
|
| About
HIL |
|
| HIL
Technologies plc was registered in February 1994, and is exclusively
dedicated to electric vehicle technology. |
| |
| In
1995, HIL Technologies plc acquired HIL Electric Limited which was
established in 1983 as a research and development company in the field
of electric powered vehicles. HIL Electric worked in collaboration
with Cummins Engines (UK) Limited and Volvo Car by to establish the
technical and commercial viability of advanced concept electric-powered
vehicles. |
|
| HIL
Technologies has experience in lightweight vehicle structures, battery
technology super-capacitors, fuel-cells, induction charging and a
number of associated leading-edge technologies relating to advanced
electric vehicles. |
|
| It
is this background of technology, in-depth knowledge and experience
together with known growing global demand for zero and low pollution
vehicles which now provide an outstanding Joint Venture opportunity.
|
|
| HIL
Management |
|
| Derek
John James FCA - Chairman |
|
| Formerly
senior partner with chartered accountants Coopers & Lybrand in London.
|
|
| Mr.
Alexis Gavriloff BSc. (Eng) (Hons) MICE, MASCE - Managing Director |
|
| Formerly
a senior executive reporting to the Group Board of a number of Jardine
Matheson Group companies. |
|
| Mr.
Colin Hermon - Director of Corporate Strategy |
|
| Formerly
Director of Corporate Finance with both Robert Fleming and Company
London and Jardine Fleming Securities, Hong Kong. |
|
| Mr.
Robert Crawford MSc CEng FIMechE - Non Executive Director |
|
| Mr.
Crawford is a leading UK expert in urban transportation technology.
He was formerly an executive of Leyland Truck & Bus Group and Chrysler
International. |
|
| Mr.
John Holden - Chief Engineer |
|
| Mr.
Holden has over 25 years world-wide experience in advanced electronic
drive technology. He is one of the leading experts in the UK in electric
vehicle technology with a comprehensive understanding of advanced
technologies in a number of specialized areas including drive trains,
battery charges, advanced batteries and fuel cells. |
|
| About
Intelligent Vehicles |
| |
| Electric
Vehicles |
|
| Vehicles
in which the power to the wheels is provided by an electric motor |
|
| Generally
speaking, all electric vehicles enjoy the following: |
|
| --
reduced energy consumption |
| --
reduced maintenance |
| --
greater utilisation particularly in start-stop applications |
| --
longer operational life |
| --
ease of driving, reduced noise level and vibration - less driver fatigue
|
| --
opportunities for intelligent vehicles using internet, telemetry and
micro electronics |
|
| Environmental
Vehicles |
|
| Generation
of electrical energy is possible from many sources: wave energy, solar,
wind, fossil fuel, nuclear, geo-thermal, fuel cell, hydro generation
and others. Some of these sources are totally pollution free and others
produce lower overall pollution than the processing of crude oil to
petrol or diesel. Generally, it is true to say that the use of electrical
energy produces less overall pollution than fuels from crude oil even
taking into account transmission losses. |
|
| Intelligent
Vehicles |
|
| The
First production model will be the Intelligent Bus which will offer
the fleet owners the following prospects: |
|
| --
40% saving in fuel costs |
| --
30% to 40% saving in maintenance costs |
| --
probable 95% operational utilisation |
| --
full intelligent system integration including: |
| --
telemetry |
| --
radiolink |
| --
location tracking |
| --
routing information |
| --
arrival / departure time display at terminal and bus stops |
| --
internet access (flight information, events for tourists, traffic
conditions, etc.) |
| --
guided bus technology |
| --
long life with corrosion free body |
| --
highest possible driver and passenger safety including roll-over protection
|
| --
reduced driver fatigue |
| --
full compliance with all current and proposed environmental regulations
|
| --
very high levels of passenger comfort |
|
| Telematics,
Information Technology, Internet Access |
|
| The
use of RF / ID will enable intelligent buses to pick up signals from
roadside transmitters (i.e. intelligent road signs) advising of road
and traffic conditions, lane closures and other information. All of
which will provide both the fleet operator greater fleet management
control and the passengers relevant information. |
|
| Smartcards
can provide a cashless system with e-commerce option for passengers
on intelligent buses with internet access. |
|
| A
driver card will facilitate greater security. |
|
| The
world's first multiplexed intelligent bus diagram is attached. |
| |
|
|
| |
