U.K. Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills Visits Ricardo

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricardo, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Ricardo plc, today welcomed U.K. Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, the Rt. Hon. Vince Cable MP. Cable visited Ricardo as part of a series of automotive meetings in the Detroit area. The visit to Ricardo's North American headquarters focused Ricardo's low carbon emissions technology.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110613/DE19083)

"Ricardo's advanced engineering approach allows us to quickly meet the demand to develop low carbon-emission technology," said Kent Niederhofer, president of Ricardo, Inc. "By combining the effective utilization of power and the development of fuel efficient solutions, Ricardo helps automotive, military and clean energy clients meet the need to maximize fuel efficient systems."

Ricardo demonstrated various technological advancements, including:

• FED – Fuel Efficient Demonstrator, A military vehicle in development that aims to improve overall fuel and energy efficiency through a systems engineering approach.
• EBDI engine – Ethanol Boosted Direct Injection engine that provides the performance of a diesel engine at the cost of ethanol fuel.
• Wolverine3 – A 3.1 horsepower heavy-fuel engine used to power light and tactical UAVs is part of the Wolverine family of engines supported a strategic alliance with XRDi and NW UAV.
• BSDC – Battery System Development Center provides engineering and development of complete high-voltage battery-pack systems for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

"Ricardo is a great example of the many innovative and successful British businesses at work in Michigan and across the U.S. I was very impressed with the ideas and industry of the company," said Dr. Cable. "It is clear that there are huge opportunities for new technologies to reduce carbon emissions and create jobs in both the U.S. and the U.K."

A former chief economist for Shell International, Dr. Cable is a published author and authority on international economics, trade and environmental issues. As Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, Dr. Cable is the cabinet member responsible for British business and banking issues. First elected an MP in 1997 as a member of the Liberal Democrats, representing Twickenham, Dr. Cable has served as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and briefly as Acting Leader of his party. Dr. Cable graduated with a natural science and economic degree from Cambridge University and with a PhD from Glasgow University.

"Dr. Cable is widely known for his efforts to support and advance clean technology, and we thank him for his visit to our facilities and the opportunity to show off our technology," added Niederhofer.

Dr. Cable's visit was part of a series of meetings with automotive companies in the Detroit area, including a visit with General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company.

About Ricardo

With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the United States and Asia, Ricardo provides strategic consulting and engineering expertise ranging from vehicle systems integration, controls and electronics, and hardware and software development to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel-cell powertrain technologies. Ricardo's customers include the world's major automakers and suppliers as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial, off-highway and clean-energy sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo's U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Mich.  Ricardo plc posted sales of $244 million in financial year 2010 and is a constituent of the FTSE TechMark 100 index — a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.

SOURCE Ricardo, Inc.