Allison Transmission Produces its 5,000th Hybrid System for Buses and Coaches

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allison Transmission reached a major milestone in the manufacture of bus and coach hybrids by producing its 5,000th H 40/50 EP system.  Designed for both city-wide transit buses and city-to-city coaches, fleet operators and passengers across North America and Europe are enjoying the benefits of these technologically-advanced systems produced in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111114/DE06270 )

Reduced fuel consumption and lower vehicle exhaust gas emissions allow operators to save money and help protect the environment.  Savings are also achieved by increased service brake life and reduced loads on the vehicle's engine.  Passengers enjoy the benefit of a smoother, quieter ride as battery energy is blended with engine output during propulsion.

Since 2001, "Allison Transmission equipped hybrid buses have accumulated an estimated 389 million in-service miles, which we believe proves the reliability, durability and performance of our H 40/50 EP system," said Lawrence E. Dewey, Chairman and CEO of Allison Transmission.  Dewey went on to say, "The build of our 5,000th H 40/50 EP is a major milestone for our company and the industry.  Certainly, it is a tribute to everyone at Allison who has contributed to the success of this important program."

Most recently, fleet operators in Norway and Germany increased the number of Allison hybrid buses in their inventories with the addition of articulated Solaris Urbino 18 buses.  Allison Transmission states that, "every North American original equipment bus manufacturer and five international bus producers offer the Allison H 40/50 EP hybrid system."  Allison Transmission estimates that by October 2011, Allison-equipped hybrid buses had saved 20.7 million gallons of diesel fuel and avoided approximately 204,900 metric tons of C02 from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Allison Transmission has been a leader in the development of hybrid systems since the early 1990's, including work on both series and parallel hybrid technology.  In addition, Allison was recognized for its expertise in hybrid technology by President Obama in May of 2011 during an Indianapolis plant visit by the President and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

As a result of Allison's success in hybrid systems for buses and coaches, Allison is currently developing another family of hybrid products, the first of which is the H 3000.  This new hybrid product is targeted for trucks and other medium-duty commercial applications.  Allison was awarded a 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Department of Energy cost-share grant for this new program.  H 3000 production will begin in 2013.  The second member of this family of hybrid products, the H 4000, is expected to be available in 2014.

About Allison Transmission, Inc.

Allison Transmission is the world's largest manufacturer of fully-automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, medium- and heavy-tactical U.S. military vehicles and hybrid-propulsion systems for transit buses. Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including on-highway trucks (distribution, refuse, construction, fire and emergency), buses (primarily school and transit), motor homes, off-highway vehicles and equipment (primarily energy and mining) and military vehicles (wheeled and tracked). Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. and employs approximately 2,800 people. Regional headquarters with dedicated support staff are located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Japan. With a global presence in 80 countries, Allison has over 1,500 independent distributor and dealer locations. More information about Allison is available at www.allisontransmission.com

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SOURCE Allison Transmission, Inc.