Fisher Coachworks Engages AVL
OAK PARK, Mich.--Today, Fisher Coachworks issues the first of a series of key supplier relationship announcements in support of its final design and production launch of the GTB-40 PHEV Urban Transit Bus. The GTB-40, which is one half the weight of current 40’ urban hybrid buses, delivers significant energy consumption and emissions benefits versus the competition. The GTB-40 also features outstanding engineering, reliability, quality and long-term field performance attributes that taken together, represent a generational advancement of the hybrid transit bus.
A decade in development, the GTB-40 is the result of a long-term funding commitment by the U.S. Department of Energy and is representative of the game-changing product innovation that can be achieved with a fully optimized design methodology. The GTB-40 PHEV Transit Bus prototype has now confirmed its predicted performance objectives with a road testing program that began in August 2008. Following its successful private investment round in 2008, which included funding through the State of Michigan’s 21st Century Jobs Fund program, Fisher Coachworks launched the final production release engineering & validation process in January 2009.
In support of the final engineering process, Fisher Coachworks selected AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc. to assess Fisher’s propulsion system component selection and emissions certification strategies. “Based on its world-class methodologies, tools and relevant experience, Fisher Coachworks selected AVL as the best fit to compliment our internal engineering team,” said Griffin Burgh, Vice President of Operations for Fisher Coachworks. “AVL’s independent reviews have confirmed our product roadmap and technical plans, accelerated our engineering process, reduced program risk and contributed to advancing the GTB-40’s market readiness.”
AVL provided modeling support utilizing their CRUISETM vehicle simulation package, and assessed key propulsion system component selection including batteries and the range extender APU, together with assessment of associated emissions data and analysis of certification alternatives. Ray Corbin, President of AVL Powertrain Engineering commented, “AVL offers a breadth of capabilities to assist the transportation sector with hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion system engineering, and we have applied these to the success of Fisher Coachworks’ GTB-40 which we see as an important and early entrant in the accelerating electric vehicle race.”
About Fisher Coachworks, LLC
Fisher Coachworks is rekindling 100-years of Body by FisherTM vehicle manufacturing leadership. The company was formed in late 2007 to bring game-changing commercial vehicles to the global marketplace. Fisher Coachworks is commercializing patented structural systems and manufacturing technology for ultra-lightweight series hybrid vehicles, targeting the urban commercial vehicle market sector. By applying a total vehicle optimization engineering approach, and an ultra-lightweight stainless steel unibody chassis/ body structure, the company is able to significantly reduce vehicle mass. The result is step-change improvements in fuel economy, emissions and operating cost efficiency. Fisher’s launch product is the GTB-40, a Plug-in Hybrid Mass Transit Bus, which began road testing in August 2008. Currently based in Oak Park, Michigan, the company will soon relocate to larger facilities to prepare for ramped vehicle production beginning in 2010.
About AVL
AVL is the world’s largest privately owned and independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel and alternative fuel powertrain systems, as well as fuel cell and hybrid technologies. The company offers combined solutions of powertrain engineering, simulation software and testing and instrumentation systems. AVL’s North American Headquarters are located in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth, Michigan. For more information, AVL can be found at www.avl.com.