Istanbul, Turkey Gets Europe's Largest Delivery of Trams Equipped with GM-Allison Hybrid System

Istanbul is 89th City to Receive Fuel-Saving, Low-Emissions Hybrid Trams and Buses

DETROIT, Mich., 2008-05-15 -- An order by Istanbul Transportation Authority for 50 Metrobus trams equipped with the GM-Allison hybrid system will make the Turkish city home to Europe's largest fleet of efficient diesel-electric hybrid trams by next year.

The first of the 50 trams, built by Dutch bus company Advance Public Transport Systems BV (APTS), was recently delivered. The remainder of the order will be fulfilled this year and in 2009.

"We have made a global commitment to develop and implement technologies that save fuel and reduce emissions, and these efficient hybrid buses and trams are evidence of that commitment," said Tom Stephens, GM executive vice president, Global Powertrain and Global Quality. "As customers experience the durability, fuel savings and emissions-reducing benefits of the GM-Allison hybrid system, I expect there will be increased demand for it across Europe and in other regions."

Metrobus is Istanbul's first Bus Rapid Transit corridor, which provides dedicated bus lanes and off-bus fare collection for faster and more reliable public transportation. With 14 stations and 245,000 daily passengers, Metrobus Istanbul is one of the most effective BRT lines in the world.

GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses and trams deliver significantly better fuel economy than conventional diesel buses and trams, cut emissions and have operating sound levels approaching that of passenger cars. Other benefits include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life; superior torque; and improved acceleration.

"The GM-Allison hybrid technology was chosen following extensive technical review and analysis of competing solutions," said Jos Jansen, Marketing and Project Management, APTS. "It was found that as well as low emissions, the Allison system was significantly easier to integrate and saved around 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) per vehicle compared with competitor solutions, allowing cost and emissions reductions and an increase in payload."

GM debuted the hybrid technology for transit buses in 2003. GM licenses the clean hybrid technology to Allison Transmission, which assembles and sells the hybrid transmission to bus and tram manufacturers.

So far, 1,039 GM-Allison hybrid-powered buses and trams are successfully operating in North America and Europe. Major orders from transit agencies in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul for more than 1,700 buses will more than double the fleet. In May 2007, Dresden, Germany received the first international delivery of GM-Allison buses.

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, transit buses with GM-Allison's hybrid technology deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than traditional transit buses, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) up to 39 percent, particulate matter (PM) up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide up to 60 percent and hydrocarbons up to 75 percent. The report was published in December 2006, and can be viewed at nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/40585.pdf.

The two-mode hybrid technology in the GM-Allison hybrid system has been adapted for use in GM full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids now on the market; as well as the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrid pickups launching this year. Later this year, Saturn will introduce the Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, the first front-wheel-drive application of GM's two-mode hybrid technology.

GM is in the midst of an aggressive hybrid rollout. By the end of this year, GM will offer eight hybrid models in the U.S. - more than any other automaker - using either GM's two-mode hybrid system or the more affordable GM Hybrid system. Through 2012, GM intends to introduce 16 hybrid models, an average of one every three months.

About Allison Transmission, Inc.

Allison Transmission, Inc. (Allison) is the premier global provider of commercial duty automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems. Allison products are specified by over 250 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and are used in many market sectors including bus, refuse, fire, construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.A. and employs 3,600 people. Regional headquarters with dedicated support staff are located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil and Japan. With a global presence in 80 countries, Allison has over 1,500 distributor and dealer locations. Allison generates annual revenues in excess of $2 billion. More information about Allison is available at allisontransmission.com .

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at gm.com.

Source: GM

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •