SAIC outlines strategies on using new energy

Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation (SAIC) has laid out new energy development strategies to catch up with global leaders in auto industry, the company announced yesterday.

Under these new energy development strategies, SAIC will be able to produce 100,000 hybrid vehicles either in collaboration with foreign partners or on its own.  In addition, SAIC will seize opportunities from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai World Exhibition to promote the popularity of methyl ether buses and hybrid vehicles, according to the announcement.

SAIC will gradually develop hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles and these three types of new fuel vehicles represent future direction of auto industry, auto experts said.

SAIC has successfully developed dimethyl ether (DME)engines, which could meet Europe III emission standard.

In terms of hybrid powered vehicles, SAIC has developed electric plus gas hybrid bus. Meanwhile, a vehicle branded as Shanghai, which is wholly developed by SAIC, is under testing.   

These new bus models will be on display at the 2010 World Expo, SAIC announced.

Meanwhile, SAIC will launch an energy consumption reduction campaign. The group vowed 35% energy consumption reduction by 2010 of the amount of it consumed in 2005.