Volkswagen and SAIC to Make Hybrid Tourans

DUBLIN, Ireland--Oct. 6, 2005--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c25267) has announced the addition of Automotive Environment Analyst - October Issue 2005 to their offering.

Volkswagen and its main Chinese partner Shanghai Auto will start manufacturing hybrid Touran cars by 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics. Initially, the two companies will manufacture 500 Tourans and will ramp up production by 2010, reports Reuters. "We expect that large-scale production will start before the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai," said a Shanghai Auto spokesperson, declining to reveal investment details. Shanghai Auto is involved in a similar project with GM The VW venture will develop hybrids for the Chinese market but the German company said it will simultaneously develop hybrid technology on its own for the US and European markets.

Automotive Environment Analyst is a dedicated round-up of all the latest global happenings and analysis specific to the automotive industry's quest to improve emissions and air quality. It speaks of the current trends in alternative fuel development. More and more vehicle manufacturers are coming out with models that run on greener fuels like ethanol and CNG. The report covers the latest car launches, the latest fuels and vehicle upgrades. With gasoline prices skyrocketing, buyers are increasingly demanding greener cars. The report also talks of the changes occurring in the emerging markets as they try to keep up with the fast pace of the developed countries.

Newly drafted emission laws the world over also find a place in the report. Components and technologies essential for curbing pollution are also covered. As well as all this, the report gives updates on hybrid sales, keeping track of the performance of major vehicle manufacturers globally.

Automotive Environment Analyst provides both broad macro-economic information as well as detailed focus analysis down to vehicle or supplier level: there is no better way to stay informed on the latest developments in the automotive industry and how this affects and is formed by our global environment.

Some of the topics covered in this month's report include:

-         Ford to test commercial viability of Focus FCV
-         Ballard courts Chinese investment
-         Dana to supply thermal management technology to Plug Power
-         ZAP ties up with Anuvu for fuel cell car
-         VW and SAIC to make hybrid Tourans
-         BMW joins Daimler-GM's hybrid initiative
-         Mack and International showcase hybrids
-         Siemens VDO to offer hybrid drivetrain kits
-         Purolator Couriers goes green with Azure hybrids
-         Orion VII hybrid bus on trial for St Louis Metro
-         Audi-VW to tie up with Porsche for hybrids
-         Subaru to display hybrid hatchback at Tokyo show
-         PECO adds Ford Hybrids to fleet
-         Johnson Controls opens new hybrid battery lab
-         Faraday 1 electric van to enter mass production
-         GTL diesel hybrid bus on trial in Japan
-         OM Energy to develop water-powered car in UK
-         Colombia wants fourfold increase in NG vehicles
-         'NTU' bio-diesel could compete with ULSD, without subsidies
-         Engineuity develops new on- board hydrogen technology
-         Ohio to use one million gallons of B20 biodiesel fuel a year
-         Ford launches Focus Flexi-Fuel in UK
-         Bosch develops bi-fuel system
-         Nissan to boost fuel-efficient line-up in the US
-         CTA requests more ULSD testing before deadline
-         Dana introduces new emission-reducing technologies
-         SUV owners fight Connecticut's proposed 'clean car' tax
-         US government to fund coal-to-liquid initiative
-         Volvo's Tuve plant to become CO2-free

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c25267