The Frankfurt International Auto Show (IAA) will be the host for many new models, concept and technologies. According to their latest announcement, Amerigon Incorporated (NASDAQ-GS: ARGN) and W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG (listed on Frankfurt Stock Exchange) will make their first joint presentation at this event.
While Amerigon is the world’s largest developer and marketer of thermoelectric technologies in the automotive market, W.E.T. is a global leader in seat heating and a developer and supplier of climate comfort systems and other electronic components for the automotive industry.
These two companies develop and market innovative thermal management technologies for a broad range of heating and cooling and temperature control applications, including thermoelectric-based heated and cooled seat systems and cup holders, heated and ventilated seat systems, heated seat and steering wheel systems, cable systems and other electronic devices. Amerigon’s applications for consumer products as well as industrial and technology markets.
A highlight of the presentation, where we’ll see the companies’ joint important advances in energy efficiency in passenger cars, including hybrid and electric vehicles, and climate comfort technologies for passengers, will be Amerigon’s innovative thermoelectric generator, created in partnership with BMW of North America, Ford and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This technology converts vehicle waste heat to electricity and offers fuel economy and a reduction of toxic emissions, including carbon dioxide gas.
Daniel R. Coker, President and CEO of Amerigon, and Caspar Baumhauer, CEO of W.E.T. Automotive Systems will be present at this press conferince.
“The cooperation of Amerigon and W.E.T Automotive Systems permits a true global reach at the forefront of a variety of thermal management innovations for the automotive industry, and other industries as well,” Coker said. “The merging of our respective innovative capabilities will enable us to become an even more competitive supplier in the very demanding and quickly evolving global automotive industry. Recent advancements in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, government mandates on toxic emissions and greater customer demand for efficient vehicles all underscore the need for the kinds of thermal management solutions that our two companies have already proved they can produce.”
As a refresher, Amerigon has been awarded an $8 million grant from the DOE to lead the development of an energy recovery system that can improve passenger car fuel efficiency by five percent by converting waste heat from gas exhaust into electric power using a thermoelectric generator. Amerigon is sharing the $8 million grant with its project partners including Ford, BMW of North America and Faurecia Emissions Controls Technologies.
“Waste vehicle heat has been, until now, an untapped source of electricity,” Coker added. “With the rapidly increasing demands for electricity in modern vehicles, the potential for our thermoelectric generator that uses the readily available heat in vehicle exhaust is enormous.”
Baumhauer pointed out, “In the last years, W.E.T. was able to strengthen its position as world market leader for thermal comfort products in automotive seating. We develop and deliver today to more than 380 different car platforms from our customer service centers and manufacturing locations in North America, Asia and Europe. Our products are featured in more than 70 different automotive brands. We are convinced that by combining W.E.T.’s operational capabilities and technologies with the cutting edge innovations of Amerigon in thermoelectric technology we will enter the next phase of profitable growth for our company.”
Both companies will present their latest developments at a joint booth (Hall 4.1, Booth 23) and host a press conference at 10:30 a.m. CET Sept. 14 in Room Illusion at the Congress Center Messe Frankfurt (CMF), so stay tuned for details.
