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Bright, Remy make advancements

By Abbey Doyle The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Sat Nov 13, 2010, 04:52 PM EST

ANDERSON, Ind. — ANDERSON — Madison County has become the epicenter of electric vehicle and motor technology with products produced by Anderson’s Bright Automotive and Pendleton’s Remy Electric Motors gaining federal, business and international contracts and partnerships.

This month Remy announced it has been named the new electric motor supplier to ZAP — a supplier of electric trucks and vans to military, government and corporate fleets and is an innovator of electric motorcycles, scooters and all terrain vehicles. Remy was at the World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition in China when the announcement about the long-term motor supply and development agreement was signed.

Remy’s HVH 250 electric motors will now be used globally in ZAP’s cars and sports utility vehicles. Also, ZAP is developing a drive-train with the Remy motor to be used in Chinese vehicle platforms.

“Remy has proven to be a great partner,” said ZAP Founder Gary Starr. “We are convinced their electric motor is the best on the market. ZAP is continually advancing our products to ensure industry leading performance and reliability. Switching to Remy electric motors for our entire line of vehicles is going to provide our customers with even more power and efficiency. This partnership is definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”

Tom VanderLaan, vice president of global auto sales for Remy, said it isn’t just about the motors anymore. They have developed the D1g1tal Dr1ve — a complete system of matched integrated components including motor, controller, proprietary cooling system, final drive and differential all enclosed in a lightweight aluminum shell.

This new system will reduce the design cycle and development budget necessary for manufacturers, something VanderLaan thinks will make the system even more applicable to their specific target of light-duty trucks and automobiles.

There is more on the horizon for Remy.

“There is a lot of exciting stuff going on here,” VanderLaan said. “There are a number of agreements pretty eminent for additional applications of products with new customers both geographically and opportunity. We aren’t just talking about cars. There is an amazing span of people who are interested in electrifying the propulsion they do.”

Most of what is happening right now is spent in designing and validating parts and production is expected to be launched in the next 18 to 24 months.

“We are creating a lot of innovation around motors right here in Indiana,” he said. “This is the most exciting time to be in the auto business. It has never had such changes and to be right in the middle of it is really exciting.”

Like Remy, Bright executives said there are a lot of exciting developments on the horizon. This summer, Bright announced a partnership with General Motors. That partnership, along with contracts they’ve been awarded by the Department of Defense, are all things that the company hopes will increase their chances for receiving a $450 million low-interest loan, said Michael Brylawski, executive vice president of business development for Bright.

The loan is from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program which would help Bright begin mass production of the IDEA in the next few years.

“A lot of interesting progress has been made,” Brylawski said, pointing out they’d hired a new CEO, developed a vehicle for the DOD, and was one of five companies awarded a contract from the U.S. Postal service to convert their delivery vehicle to an electric vehicle.

While he said there aren’t any official announcements to make right now, Brylawski said Bright continues to have active conversations with the DOE about the loan and are in the process of raising private equity as well to get things back on track in developing the IDEA.

“We don’t have any formal announcements on the program, but things are definitely starting to heat up,” Brylawski said. “I think we’re excited about the future announcement we are about to make about the progress on the IDEA and when we expect to bring it to market. The things we’ve seen, the progress that has been made in the industry, has validated our approach. And I think where the world is headed; our strategy is the right strategy for the automotive landscape.”