Bombardier Launches Orbital Equipped Product
24 September 1999
Bombardier Launches Orbital Equipped Product
PERTH, Western Australia, Sept. 23 -- Bombardier, the world's
leading personal watercraft (PWC) manufacturer, has launched product
incorporating Orbital Engine Corporation's direct fuel
injection system. The PWC launch follows the announcement of a long term
supply agreement signed by Bombardier for Orbital fuel and engine management
systems in April 1998. Please refer to the following announcement from
Bombardier for details of the PWC launch.
Orbital is a leading international developer of engine technologies using
direct in-cylinder fuel injection and lean-burn systems for enhanced fuel
economy and lower emissions. The company serves the worldwide automotive,
marine, recreational and motorcycle markets. Headquartered in Perth, Western
Australia, Orbital stock is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange (OEC), the
New York Stock Exchange (OE) as well as the Berlin (ORE) and Frankfurt (OREA)
Exchanges.
Bombardier, the World's Leading PWC Manufacturer
Unveils a Seventy Percent Cleaner Line of Products for Year 2000
New SEA-DOO(R) and Orbital "Learning Key" Technology to Reduce PWC Speeds
to 35 mph for First-time Riders, Secondary Users and Rental Operators
LAKE TAHOE, September 13, 1999 -- In a bold move, Bombardier, the world's
leading manufacturer of boats unveiled a complete, new line of its cleanest
and quietest SEA-DOO products ever. A leader in environmental trends, Lake
Tahoe was chosen as the site to unveil the latest technology in the battle for
increased air quality. Designed specifically for and found only on SEA-DOO
watercraft, Rotax(R) two stroke engines that come equipped with Orbital Direct
Injection (DI) will operate up to 70 percent cleaner and provide up to 30%
more fuel efficiency than traditional carbureted two-strokes.
"As the world leader in PWC safety and boater education with the recent
65-mph cap on top-end speeds, Bombardier felt the need to take a similar
stance on our nation's growing environmental concerns," said Henry Lonski,
vice president of SEA-DOO watercraft. "Bombardier and our 1000 SEA-DOO
dealers are committed to working proactively with regulatory agencies and
environmental groups including California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in ensuring our products are
responsible. We encourage the rest of the industry to follow our lead in
developing cleaner products that reduce emissions."
Utilizing both Orbital technology and Rotax Fuel injection, four SEA-DOO
watercraft took center stage on Lake Tahoe and in nearby Reno before more than
1000 SEA-DOO dealers. No stranger to innovation, Bombardier was the first
manufacturer to introduce a combination fuel injection and D-Sea-Bel(TM) sound
reduction system on its GTX* RFI -- personal watercraft in 1998. Today, with
four fuel injected models, Bombardier is the only manufacturer to have
multiple watercraft that are compliant with CARB and the EPA standards well
into the next century.
In an industry first and in response to the National Transportation Safety
Board's (NTSB) report on PWC safety, SEA-DOO and Orbital have developed an
additional innovative benefit to both its GTX* DI and RX(TM) models -- the
SEA-DOO/Orbital "Learning Key" lanyard. The "Learning Key" enables first-time
riders and rental operators to technologically reduce the speed of their SEA-
DOO watercraft to approximately 35 mph.
"Most accidents occur within the first two hours of operation and are as a
result of operator inexperience and error. The SEA-DOO/Orbital 'Learning Key'
will allow first-timers, secondary, touring and rental users to learn how to
operate their boats safely and responsibly, while gaining needed confidence
and experience," commented Lonski.
Both the SEA-DOO RX and the SEA-DOO GTX DI are the first two watercraft
ever to employ Orbital DI technology, leading the way to cleaner/quieter
waterways and better fuel efficiency. Furthermore, all Year 2000 SEA-DOO
watercraft models will come standard with the D-Sea-Bel sound reduction
system.
A long-time advocate for responsible boating, Bombardier has teamed-up
with the United States Coast Guard, Department of Transportation and National
Safe Boating Council for a third consecutive year to promote the National Safe
Boating Campaign. This year's program coupled NASCAR Winston Cup Champion
Jeff Gordon with a 30-market travelling safety exhibit and reached more than
72 million consumers and boaters with an easy but powerful message -- "Boat
Smart From the Start, Wear Your Life Jacket."
Bombardier Recreational Products designs, develops, builds, distributes
and markets SKI-DOO(R) and Lynx(R) snowmobiles, snowgrooming equipment and
multi-purposed tracked vehicles, SEA-DOO watercraft and SPORT BOATS,
Bombardier NV(R) neighborhood vehicle and Bombardier all-terrain vehicle.
Snowmobiles, watercraft, Sport Boats and ATV are powered by Rotax(R) engines
that are designed and built by Bombardier-Rotax GmbH which also builds motors
for motorcycles and scooters.
Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation active in the fields of
aerospace, rail transportation equipment, recreational products, financial
services and services related to its products and core businesses. It
operates plants in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia and more
than 90 percent of its revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's
revenues for its fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, totaled $11.5 billion.
* GTX is a registered trademark of Castrol Ltd. Used under license.
(R), (TM) Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. and/or affiliates.