Remy International, Inc. Supplying HVH(TM) Electric Motors to Daimler for 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

PENDLETON, Ind., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Remy International, Inc. today announced it is supplying Daimler with the Remy HVH™ electric motor used in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid recently released to the United States market.

Remy CEO John Weber said, "Daimler has proven to be a strong partner and we are proud to have our HVH electric motors in the new ML450 Hybrid.  Like Remy, the Mercedes brand has represented excellence in quality and design for a century.  We look forward to many more years of innovative collaboration with Daimler as we seek to continually improve upon our successful pasts."

The ML450 Hybrid, using Remy HVH electric motor technology, works together with a 3.5-liter V6 engine to attain improved fuel efficiency over comparably powered sports utility vehicles – or when needed, provide the acceleration of a powerful V8.  Around town, the ML450 Hybrid can operate as a zero-emission vehicle when powered by its electric drive alone.  Using a modified Atkinson cycle for maximum fuel efficiency, the V6 engine kicks in when needed and when accelerating on a freeway entrance ramp for example, the electric drive and combustion engine work together for a total of 335 horsepower.

Remy's advanced motor technology contributes greatly to the Mercedes ML450 Hybrid's performance and efficiency.  The ML450 Hybrid will perform like a V8 consuming fuel like a 4-cylinder and can travel as fast as 35 mph while operating in full electric mode.  Fuel consumption and emissions are down nearly 60 percent compared to similarly powered vehicles like the ML550.

Remy will be supplying two HVH electric motors per vehicle.  The ML450 Hybrid will use the Remy HVH electric motors to provide drive and generation functions.  These motors have the highest power and torque density on the market today and are a perfect fit for the ML450 which needed to decrease the transmission size to aid efficiency.  The first motor is positioned close to the internal combustion engine and is used both as a motor and generator, providing over 80 hp to assist the drivetrain or charge the vehicle battery.  The second motor located at the output end of the transmission generates 80 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque and is tuned for maximum electric drive performance plus recovery of regenerative braking energy to the battery.

The Remy HVH motors for the Mercedes ML450 Hybrid will be manufactured at Remy's manufacturing plant in Mezokovesd, Hungary.  And the Mercedes ML450 Hybrid will be produced at the Mercedes manufacturing plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Remy recently announced the Remy HVH250™ which is an advanced electric motor for hybrid and electric applications based on Remy's patented High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) technology.  The HVH technology provides dramatically improved motor performance and cooling effectiveness.  The world-class torque and power density allows for increased range in all-electric drive mode and the potential for a smaller internal combustion engine.  These factors and more led Daimler to choose Remy's HVH electric motor technology.

For more details about the HVH250™ Series electric motors visit the Remy website at: http://www.remyinc.com/hvh.asp.

About Remy International, Inc.

Remy International, Inc., headquartered in Pendleton, Indiana, is a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light duty starters, alternators and hybrid power technology and Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems. In business for over 100 years, today Remy International is actively collaborating with companies throughout the world to develop innovations that are transforming the vehicle industry. Recently, Remy International was recognized by the United States Department of Energy for its leadership role in the hybrid technologies space and awarded a $60 million grant under the Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative.

To learn more, visit the Remy brand website at www.remyinc.com.

SOURCE Remy International, Inc.