QUANTUM Ships Hydrogen Storage System for Thor Fuel Cell Bus

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES LOGO
Quantum Technologies, Inc. Logo. (PRNewsFoto)[TC]
IRVINE, CA USA 03/20/2001
    IRVINE, Calif., July 2 QUANTUM Technologies WorldWide,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IMPCO Technologies, Inc.
announced today that it developed and shipped its advanced hydrogen storage
system for the first ThunderPower(R) fuel cell bus, being built via a
partnership between Thor Industries and ISE Research Corporation.
Thor has been a market leader in the utilization of alternative propulsion
systems for bus applications.  This bus will go into commercial service at
SunLine Transit in Thousand Palms, CA later this year.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010320/QUANTUMLOGO )
    QUANTUM provided system integration of the roof-mounted hydrogen storage
and delivery system, incorporating nine (9) hydrogen tanks, regulators, valves
and fuel lines that deliver a specific pressure to the fuel cell propulsion
system.  QUANTUM used its all-composite, ultra-light weight Type IV
TriShield(TM) hydrogen storage tank -- uniquely designed and manufactured with
a single end boss, one-piece seamless polymer liner and a carbon composite
over wrap.  The QUANTUM Type IV hydrogen storage tank is tested and validated
to all regulatory standards, including OEM-specific validation tests.
    According to Syed Hussain, President and CEO of QUANTUM, "There are two
key reasons why this is an important milestone for QUANTUM and for the mobile
fuel cell industry.  First, it demonstrates the selection and use of our
ultra-light weight tank technology for a fuel cell bus.  Weight is of utmost
importance in buses to minimize gross vehicle weight which already is
approaching limitations with the equipment required to support low floor
access and other additional equipment.  Second, QUANTUM has entered into the
fuel cell bus market, which is anticipated to evolve faster than the
automotive fuel cell market.  We are very pleased to be playing such a
significant role in this project and plan to enable the future
commercialization of fuel cell buses through the development and manufacture
of hydrogen storage and handling systems for the fuel cell bus market."
    The Thor fuel cell bus will use a ThunderPower(R) hybrid-electric drive
train developed by ISE Research Corporation, San Diego, CA, in a 30' low-floor
bus built by Thor's subsidiary, Eldorado National.  International Fuel Cells
(IFC), a division of United Technologies , is developing the fuel
cell power plant.
    Thor is the largest manufacturer of mid-sized buses and the second largest
RV builder in North America.  IFC is the world's leading manufacturer of fuel
cell power plants.  ISE Research is a leading developer of hybrid drive
systems for heavy-duty vehicles.  ThunderPower, L.L.C. is a partnership
between Thor and ISE Research chartered to develop and commercialize fuel cell
powered hybrid-electric buses.

    For more information, please contact:

     Alan Niedzwiecki, Executive Director, Business Development
     QUANTUM Technologies WorldWide, Inc. Tel:  (949) 399-4552

     Eileen M. Oswald, Director of Communications
     QUANTUM Technologies WorldWide, Inc. Tel: (949) 885-7547

     George Schuh, Director of Marketing
     ISE Research Corp. Tel. (619) 287-8785, ext. 129

    QUANTUM Technologies WorldWide, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of IMPCO
Technologies Inc. .  QUANTUM is focused on the development of
fuel system enabling technologies for manufacturers of alternative propulsion
and energy in emerging global markets.

    Certain matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking
information that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from current trends.  These include the company's
ability to design and market advanced fuel metering, fuel storage or
electronic control products, the company's ability to meet OEM specifications,
and other such risks as cited in the 2000 annual report on Form 10-K for IMPCO
Technologies, Inc., and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.