Dana and Permo-Drive Sign Vehicle Agreement

Dana Corp. of Toledo, Ohio, and Permo-Drive Technologies Ltd., an Australian firm with North American operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have an exclusive licensing agreement for the design, development, and supply of the Permo-Drive Regenerative Drive System (RDS) for use in the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. The Army will introduce a hybrid drive system into its FMTVs as soon as 2006.

Permo-Drive’s RDS system is a hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsion system suitable for most medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Energy normally lost during braking can be stored as hydraulic oil under pressure, then selectively released as an acceleration boost to bring the vehicle back to the desired speed. RDS benefits include increases of up to 30% in fuel economy, substantially improved brake life, an improvement in acceleration, and reduced emissions.