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To: Futurist who wrote (3793)	7/6/1999 5:54:00 PM
From: WALT REISCH	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 8393

Honda Hybrid To Be Called 'insight' Will Feature (IMA) Integrated Motor Assist System, Lightweight Aluminum Body Structure July 06, 1999 14:26 TORRANCE, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle available in the U.S. will be called the Honda insight when it goes on sale this December, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Utilizing Honda's innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA(TM)) hybrid system in combination with a rigid and lightweight aluminum body structure, world-class aerodynamic design and advanced ultra-low emissions technology, the Honda insight is capable of averaging more than 70 miles per gallon (EPA highway) while meeting California's stringent Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) standard -- making it the world's cleanest and most fuel efficient gasoline-powered vehicle. (Photo: newscom.com newscom.com ) "The Honda insight will provide American consumers with their first look at one of tomorrow's advanced automotive powerplants," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. "The insight represents Honda's commitment to developing products that meet customer expectations for quality, comfort and driving enjoyment, while responding to society's need for cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles." Debuting as a year 2000 model, the Honda insight is a sporty two-seater coupe developed exclusively as a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Dubbed the Honda VV in its concept stage, the 2000 Honda insight features Honda's new efficient and lightweight IMA hybrid system. At the heart of the system is the world's lightest, most compact, 1.0- liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine. The engine uses advanced lean-burn technology, low-friction design and lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium and plastic in combination with a new lean burn-compatible NOx catalyst to achieve a new level of efficiency and low emissions in gasoline engine technology. The electric component of the IMA system consists of an ultra-thin (60mm) DC-brushless motor, a 144-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack and an advanced electronic Power Control Unit (PCU). Unlike a dedicated electric vehicle, insight does not require an outside source of electric power. The electric motor draws power from the batteries to boost engine performance to the level of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and also acts as a generator during braking to recharge the vehicle's batteries. Power management is provided by the system's advanced Power Control Unit. A pioneer in the design of aluminum car bodies with its Acura NSX sports car -- the world's first mass-produced aluminum-bodied vehicle -- Honda has employed its extensive experience to create a new type of lightweight aluminum body that offers a high level of body rigidity and advanced safety performance. This unique "hybrid" aluminum chassis uses a combination of extruded, stamped and die cast aluminum components to minimize weight while optimizing rigidity and safety. Body weight is 40 percent less than a comparable steel body. Most of the vehicle's body panels are aluminum, which are lighter yet more rigid than traditional steel panels. Front fenders and rear fender skirts are made of recyclable plastic. Other weight-saving features include aluminum- alloy wheels, a magnesium oil pan and plastic head cover. In keeping with its philosophy of making environmental technology broadly accessible to consumers, Honda will price the insight at less than $20,000 with a full compliment of standard comfort and convenience features including anti-lock brakes, electric power steering, dual air bags, AM/FM stereo, power windows and mirrors, remote power door locks, and an anti-theft immobilizer system. A fully-digital instrument panel delivers information such as battery status, charging condition and fuel economy performance at the touch of a button. The 2000 Honda insight is the culmination of 50 years of Honda research into lighter, more efficient and cleaner burning vehicle technologies, and is the latest example of Honda's commitment to bringing new environmental technologies to market wherever feasible. This year alone, two out of every three Hondas sold in the U.S. -- more than 650,000 vehicles -- will be equipped with advanced low emissions technology. Honda's commitment to developing cleaner running vehicles dates back to the mid-70s when the company introduced its Civic CVCC, the first vehicle to meet federal clear air standards using regular unleaded gasoline and without the use of a catalytic converter. Other Honda environmental firsts include: ULEV Accord -- the first gasoline-powered vehicle to be certified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Honda EV Plus -- the first electric vehicle to use advanced nickel metal hydride battery technology. LEV Civic -- the first gasoline-powered vehicle to achieve California's Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) standard. Civic GX -- powered by natural gas, the Civic GX has the cleanest internal-combustion engine ever tested by CARB. For more information on the 2000 Honda insight go to www.hondahybrid.com SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc. /CONTACT: Lynda Sakamaki-Smith, 310-783-3164, or Andy Boyd, 313-567-7774, both of Honda/ /Photo: newscom.com newscom.com PR Newswire Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467/ /Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 372013/ /Web site: hondahybrid.com

To: Futurist who wrote (3793)	7/7/1999 11:03:00 PM
From: Futurist	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8393

Unique Mobility Receives Contract to Develop High Performance Integrated Electric Traction System DOE Award Directed Toward Emerging Market for Hybrid-Electric And Fuel Cell-Electric Vehicles GOLDEN, Colo., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Unique Mobility, Inc. (Amex: UQM) announced today that it has received a U.S. Department of Energy grant award to design and build an advanced electric traction system capable of propelling mid-sized hybrid-electric and fuel cell-electric passenger vehicles. Two Detroit automakers have indicated high interest in the project and have agreed to evaluate early prototypes. The two-year engineering project is valued at $750,000 and follows an earlier DOE funded effort by Unique that validated the preliminary system design. The current effort will focus on manufacturability and cost analysis. According to Jon Lutz, Manager of Unique's Motor Engineering Department, "the system incorporates an innovative combination of an energy efficient electric motor, gears and differential. By using Unique's patented phase advance technology, the system will produce both high starting torque and higher speeds (i.e. power) without increasing the size and cost of the motor/controller package." "The size of the complete system is smaller than a 12 inch cube," said Lutz, "yet it can deliver as much as 100 horsepower and 1,100 ft-lbs. of torque to the wheels -- more than enough to put sports car zing into a mid-size sedan." We are not aware of another product in the market that can come close to this power density and packagability." "This effort will add another product to our arsenal of electric propulsion systems," said Ray A. Geddes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "It combines our technical expertise and manufacturing know-how in the field of high-efficiency, power dense permanent magnet motors and gear assemblies to arrive at a compact, cost-effective traction drive system for the automotive industry." Unique Mobility, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency motors, gear assemblies and electronic and wire harness assemblies for the aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, medical and industrial markets. The company is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, with manufacturing facilities in Frederick, Colorado (electric motors and precision gears) and St. Charles, Missouri (electronic assemblies and wire harnesses). This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-67313) filed by Unique with the SEC, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including Unique's history of operating losses, its ability to obtain additional financing, competition, the Company's ability to integrate acquired businesses into existing operations, Unique's ability to protect its proprietary information, Year 2000 issues and Unique's limited experience in manufacturing processes and procedures and marketing and distribution. SOURCE Unique Mobility, Inc. CO: Unique Mobility, Inc.; U.S. Department of Energy ST: Colorado, Michigan