Honda, VW Join California Fuel Cell Partnership
ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct 5, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A public-private
venture to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles in California today welcomed
two more automotive companies to the effort. Automakers Honda and
Volkswagen have signed on with the California Fuel Cell Partnership to
help commercialize fuel cell technology.
The Partnership, which formally began in April 1999, includes auto
manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company), energy providers
(ARCO, Shell, Texaco), a fuel cell company (Ballard Power Systems), and
the State of California (California Air Resources Board and the
California Energy Commission).
"We are pleased to welcome Honda and VW to the team," said Alan Lloyd,
Chairman of the California Air Resources Board. "With the addition of
these new partners, including the first Asian-based company, this gives
us a truly global partnership. Together, the shared expertise and
commitment to expand our efforts to develop this
environmentally-friendly technology will help us reach more consumers
and help pave the way to commercialization."
Ben Knight, vice president, Honda Research and Development, said,
"Honda is planning to make fuel cell powered vehicles available in the
year 2003. Cooperative activity with the California Fuel Cell
Partnership will be important to the success of fuel cell vehicles by
helping create an infrastructure and public awareness and
understanding."
Wolfgang Groth, Director of Volkswagen of America Inc.'s Environmental
and Engineering Group, said, "Volkswagen is pleased to join the
California Fuel Cell Partnership. We look forward to working
cooperatively with the state of California and petroleum company
partners to introduce the clean fuels and develop the enabling
technologies required for fuel cell vehicles."
The founding members invited a number of additional automakers to join
the Partnership. To date, Honda and Volkswagen both answered the call
and, along with DaimlerChrysler and Ford, will demonstrate fuel cell
electric vehicles in California over the next four years.
Since April, the Partnership has been developing strategies for
resolving fueling infrastructure issues and vehicle placement, as well
as creating a public awareness plan and implementing administrative
functions.
For more information about the California Fuel Cell Partnership, visit
their website at: www.drivingthefuture.org or contact any of the
company spokespersons listed below:
Air Resources Board Jerry Martin 916/322-2990
California Energy Commission Claudia Chandler 916/654-4989
ARCO Cheryl Burnett 562/590-4493
Ballard Debby Harris 604/412-4740
DaimlerChrysler
USA: Anne Smith 248/512-6502
Germany: Annette Kliem +49-711-179-3307
Ford Glenn Ray 313/248-5994
Honda Art Garner 310/783-3163
Shell Kitty Borah 713/241-4544
Texaco Tyra Metoyer 713/752-4784
Volkswagen Tony Fouladpour 248/340-5064 |
