News 2020 EN BUS
Strong Industry Support as Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2020 Sets New Show Date
To safeguard both public health and business development throughout the automotive industry in the midst of the global COVID-19 outbreak, organisers of Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City had announced in February to reschedule the 2020 show edition.
After a careful assessment of the situation, the show will now take place from 20 to 22 August at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). This Vietnam’s leading trade fair for the automotive service industry will heighten government incentives to speed up the localisation and growth of the domestic auto industry. The fair expects 360 local and overseas exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and technologies.
As always, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City responds to ever-changing market needs. This year, the show sets to amplify the Vietnamese Government’s call to localise and expand the country’s automotive manufacturing capabilities, from OE right through to the aftermarket, by nurturing more foreign investment and international cooperation. The recent COVID-19 outbreak has ighlighted opportunities in the local automotive manufacturing market where it aims to become more selfsufficient and take on some of the demand in the global supply chain. In fact, international industry players also see favourable benefits in the domestic market. For example, the country recorded USD four billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first quarter of 2020, of which the manufacturing and processing sector saw some of the highest gain.
To foster such growth in the automotive industry, international exhibitors at the show will present cutting-edge products, services and technologies to the local market. Activities are also set to improve Vietnamese talent in the auto industry; facilitate business exchange between domestic and overseas players, as well as explore foreign investment opportunities that will inevitably lead to more localisation in the automotive manufacturing development.
A recent forecast has predicted Vietnam’s GDP growth still can reach 6.3 percent in 2020 as trade activities expect to pick up in the second half of the year. In efforts to achieve the 2020 growth target, the Vietnamese Government plans incentives to maintain market performance like providing tax-breaks and delaying tax payments that reduce pressure on businesses.
Ms Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd commented: “Despite current global challenges, it is encouraging to see an upswing of vehicle sales in Vietnam, with a year-on-year increase of 41 percent, during the first quarter of 2020. It reaffirms the market’s strong growth prospects. Over the past three editions, the show has continued to highlight Vietnam’s development opportunities in the auto industry. The upcoming fair will be no exception. I am optimistic the show in August will be as successful as previous years, with the wide backing
from many exhibitors, supporters, partners, and visitors.”
Elaborating on the show’s safety parameters, Ms Chiew continued: “The safety of our participants is a top priority for us. To ensure good hygiene standards are maintained during the preparation and across the threeday show, our team is working diligently to follow regulations recommended by the local authorities. For example, we will closely monitor fairground sanitation, proactively offer temperature-checks, provide hand sanitiser for attendees and more. These measures will ensure Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City remains a safe business platform for all participants.”
Themes and Sectors Elevate Visitor Experiences
To drive business growth in the Vietnamese automotive market, the show puts “Business, Workshops and Experiences” at the core of its local development strategy. Both local and overseas exhibitors will accentuate collaborative opportunities to promote the passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, and automotive manufacturing and automation segments.
A series of fringe programme events like the Automotive Service and Maintenance Workshops and the Smart Factory and Industry 4.0 Conference will allow fairgoers to capture a unique fair experience. On top of this, the onsite Business Matching Programme aims to draw in exhibitors and visitors who are looking for collaboration and investment opportunities.
Ongoing Support from Industry Stakeholders
In the move of rescheduling Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City to August, the show’s strategic partner and local supporters have backed the organisers’ decision. For example, with over 228,000 members, the Vietnam Automotive Technicians Network (OTO-HUI), the country’s leading portal for garages, automotive engineering, spare parts, accessories and technology, and one of the show’s local supporters gave an affirmative vote: “Over the past few years, with its industry recognition and growth, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City has secured its rightful place in a series of annual automotive trade events across the region. Its global industry resources bring massive value to the local market. We appreciate that the organisers are making sharp decisions to
ensure the event runs safely, for all stakeholders, both locally and abroad,” commented Mr Nguyen Thanh Dam, Founder of OTO-HUI.
Being the strategic partner and an exhibitor at the fair, Mr Vincent Prinzing, Export Area Manager at Liqui Moly also asserted the value of the show: “Industries around the world, including the automotive industry, are facing a challenging first half of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. To help recover from the economic difficulties, it is important that we leverage Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City’s platform for trade, network building and information exchange. The show in August will undoubtedly promote the robust local and ASEAN auto industries and support global players extending their footprint in these emerging markets.”
Voith and PCS Holding to Take Over Traktionssysteme Austria
Voith and PCS Holding signed an agreement to acquire Traktionssysteme Austria (TSA). The German company, together with the Swiss holding, are planning to take over a combined 59% of the shares in Traktionssysteme Austria GmbH with its headquarters in Wiener Neudorf. A corresponding purchase contract was signed on April 29, 2020.Voith, PCS, TSA: Acquisition to be Completed within 2020
First Batch of 10 Electric Buses Delivered in Singapore
The first batch of 10 electric buses has reached Singapore’s streets. And 50 more vehicles will be introduced over the rest of this year. The country will only buy electric or hybrid buses from now on. The goal? A full electrified bus fleet by 2040.
Singapore is also the place where Volvo Buses decided, in March 2019, to unveil its 12-meter autonomous bus, built on the basis of a standard Volvo 7900 Electric.
Singapore, a Full Electric Fleet by 2040
The new buses, as the Land Transport Authority announced on social media, are in operation Services 15, 66, 944, 983 and 990. According to the figures released by the public transport authority, when fully-deployed, these 60 electric buses are estimated to save nearly 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide (equivalent to the amount generated by 1,700 cars) per year.
Public transport operators SMRT, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore were involved in the launch of these electric bus services. Buses are manufactured by BYD, Yutong and ST Engineering. Up to 80 passengers can be welcomed on board, 28 seated and 52 standing.
Since March last year, also 50 diesel-electric buses have been deployed in Singapore (model Volvo 7900 Hybrid).
Among the features of the new buses there are Passenger Information Display systems. Plus, there are no centre poles on these buses to allow parents with open strollers to board them more easily.
Electric Buses in Singapore, 60 Vehicles Coming
According to the information released in October 2018, ST Engineering and BYD will each be providing 20 single deck electric buses valued at 17 and 15 million dollars, respectively. Yutong-NARI Consortium will deliver ten single-floor and ten double decker electric buses for a total of 18 million dollars. ABB has been selected to power the 40 vehicles that will be supplied by ST Engineering and BYD.
ABB, Fast Charging Stations in Singapore
ABB’s scope of supply for ST Engineering’s 20 single-deck electric buses includes four 450 kW chargers with installation, civil works, project management and commissioning. Based on the opportunity charging (OppCharge) platform, the solution will allow the electric buses to be quickly partially recharged in less than ten minutes at key interchanges with an automated rooftop connection, ABB highlights.
For BYD, ABB will provide ten 150 kW overnight charging systems to charge its fleet of 20 electric buses at night. Up to two electric buses can be connected and charged sequentially while parked at the depot, enabling all 20 buses to be fully charged and ready to run through the day within 4.5 hours.
Electric Buses Already Tested in Singapore
A battery-powered all-electric bus had previously been trialled locally by a Public Transport Operator. Between November 2016 and May 2017, a BYD K9 bus was operating with Go-Ahead Singapore under an LTA-initiated trial. Previous trials in Singapore have involved diesel-hybrid buses such as the Sunlong SLK6121UF14H, and Zhongtong LCK6121G HEV, and Volvo B5RLE Hybrid.
Brembo Donates 1 Million Euros to Research in the Fight Against the Coronavirus
Brembo is continuing to provide support for research into countering COVID-19. The company has made the decision to donate 1 million euros to three centres of excellence in Bergamo, namely the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, the Fondazione per la Ricerca Ospedale di Bergamo (FROM) foundation and the Mario Negri Institute, which are working in the region hardest hit by the pandemic, combining clinical and pharmacological research.
The Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, the FROM foundation and the Mario Negri Institute are jointly working on three lines of research, based on evidence from existing clinical trials. This shared effort could very soon produce an effective means to tackle the virus, significantly reducing the number of patients requiring hospital treatment.
“After an initial donation, which was also intended to support care units at the Bergamo Hospital, we decided to concentrate our efforts on research, in order to find a pharmacological treatment to counter Covid-19 in a reasonably short time”, explained Alberto Bombassei, Brembo’s Chairman. “Research is our way of doing business, and we believe that it may be the only possible route to finding an effective solution to such a difficult situation like this”.
As Giuseppe Remuzzi, Director of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research (Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri) emphasised: “At the present time it is vitally important to understand the mechanisms of the action of the virus within an organism. Thanks to the generous donation received from Brembo, we are convinced that progress will soon be made, in terms of identifying the damages caused by the virus, thus reducing the number of patients needing intensive care”.
With this donation, Brembo intents to set an example by supporting research. It is hoped that it will encourage other enterprises to follow its lead, so that a speedy and adequate solution will be found to this critical situation.
Daimler Buses Converts Mercedes-Benz Citaro for Transporting COVID-19 patients
In only three weeks, Daimler Buses converted an inter-city bus into a special vehicle for the transfer of COVID-19 patients at its plant in Neu-Ulm. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro, now the largest intensive care ambulance in Germany, is to be used by DRKRettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm gGmbH (German Red Cross Emergency Medical Services Heidenheim-Ulm). The vehicle is a loan; initially it will be available to the German Red Cross (DRK) for a period of six months. The joint project is supported by the University Hospital in Ulm which is providing the specialized medical staff. SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH (public utility company) is also on board the project and is providing drivers and maintenance personnel.
"Among other professions, it is currently the staff in hospitals and care facilities who are working steadfastly and who particularly deserve our respect. Therefore, I am delighted that we are able to support the DRK by supplying transportation capacity. As a bus manufacturer, we want to contribute to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at a local level. A diverse range of activities at the Neu-Ulm plant show that there are good initiatives and strategies from our colleagues even now," Till Oberwörder, Head of Daimler Buses explains.
From the Idea to Implementation
David Richter, Managing Director of DRK-Rettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm had the idea of converting a bus in response to the need to increase intensive care transportation capacities, now necessary in many places. Daimler Buses was able to pledge its fast and uncomplicated support. Only a few days later a demonstration vehicle on stock at Daimler Buses was presented for conversion. A team of 12 employees from bus production in Neu-Ulm converted the bus to a high-capacity critical care ambulance in just 15 working days. Both the conversion and the supply of the medical equipment were completed in close co-operation with DRK-Rettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm.
"The high-capacity critical care ambulance puts DRK-Rettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm and the doctors from Ulm's University Hospital in a position to efficiently relieve hospitals where intensive care beds are in short supply. And not only in the Ulm/Neu-Ulm area but in other regions and states," says David Richter, Managing Director of DRK-Rettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm.
Professor Kühlmuß, District Medical Officer for DRK-Rettungsdienst adds: "Something that normally would take months and years was implemented within a few weeks together with Daimler Buses in an exemplary fashion. And in doing so, this is not just a bus, but an efficient transportation and relief concept. In my opinion this is only possible with such a transportation capacity."
High-capacity Critical Care Ambulance Helps with the Transportation of Intensive Care Patients
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro built in 2019 as an inter-city bus with 45 seats and standing room for 40 persons is equipped with four complete intensive care beds for its new function. Thanks to the repurposed bus, the German Red Cross in Ulm can react fast and transport intensive care patients to other hospitals if necessary. The journeys are supervised by two intensivecare doctors from the University Hospital in Ulm. Three paramedics and two ambulance officers supplied by DRK-Rettungsdienst Heidenheim-Ulm are also on board.
Professional Medical Equipment in the High-capacity Critical Care Ambulance
The bus is equipped with four electrohydraulic wheeled stretchers with a loading system, four intensive care ventilators, four monitoring screens, a sonography unit and a blood gas analysis device, for example. The staff from Daimler Buses also created stowage space for sufficient medicines, nursing equipment, additional breathing apparatus and protective clothing. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro has been repurposed so that the patients can be transported in various positions. The side windows of the DRK bus have been laminated for privacy. The bus has also been equipped with a blue light and a siren.
Hygienically protected cockpit
As the bus will focus on transporting COVID-19 patients, hygienic demands played an important role during the conversion. For example, a disinfectant sprayer can be used in the patient compartment once transportation is completed. The area for the driver is separated from the patient compartment by a wall and the ventilation system has been converted. As a result the driver has no contact with patients and is not exposed to any infection. SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm is supporting the project by supplying drivers and a depot as well as taking care of technical maintenance.
Gunter Czisch, Mayor of the city of Ulm is full of praise for the initiative: "Represented by Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm, we can be proud that we are a part of this unique pilot project. The
transportation vehicle from the Daimler Buses plant in Neu-Ulm clearly shows what innovations the Ulm/Neu-Ulm region is capable of."
Managing Director of SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH, Klaus Eder, adds: "For some time now SWU has been supporting numerous initiatives and aid projects in the region under the motto #WirFürEuch (WeForYou). For us, organizing the driving staff for the transportation of critical care patients and taking care of the repairs and maintenance on the vehicle is a good opportunity to help. After all we transport over 40 million passengers safely and reliably every year."
Hengst Filtration Starts with Production of Face Masks
After Easter Hengst will produce up to 10 000 face masks per day. “The first 25 000 masks will be donated to nurses and healthcare personnel,” says Jens Röttgering (pictured), owner of Hengst Filtration.
As a leading filtration specialist, they are now to use their expertise from air filtration to produce face masks with hospital standards. The certification process to meet the necessary DIN EN 14643 standards is already underway.
Despite difficult conditions, many teams around the world are working on the implementation of this challenge - together we can do it. Röttgering calls out to everyone "Keep safe and stay healthy!"
Private Bus Operators to Get Handouts
Singaporean private bus operators impacted by Covid-19 will be receiving some support from the government in a $48 billion package announced on 26 March 2020. Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister said these operators have been badly affected from the decrease in tourists in the city-state will be granted a one year road tax rebate. The incentive will benefit owners of some 13 500 vehicles.
Bus operators will also be granted a nine-month waiver of Class 2 Bus Service Licence fee. Those who have paid the fee for this year are eligible for a refund of $750 each. The deputy prime minister added a six-month waiver of parking charges at government-managed parking facilities will be granted.
Private bus operators have been badly impacted by the decrease in tourism, with some citing a drop of 90 percent. The newly granted initiatives by the government are a welcomed help from the Singaporean government in these dire times.
Parts Specialists - Best Support for Workshop Professionals
"Best Support for Workshop Professionals" - Under this motto, the Parts Specialists from Diesel Technic provide all employees of a workshop or fleet with advice by giving practical tips and tricks around the product brands DT Spare Parts and SIEGEL Automotive. Via the HelpDesk they answer technical questions.
Besides, the international team offers all workshop professionals free training courses. This allows a direct exchange of experience whereby valuable information on the functionalities of the respective products is given. Furthermore, workshop employees experience more support via assembly instructions and videos that can be found in the YouTube channel.
Asian Trucker Media Still Connecting Businesses
MANN+HUMMEL Implements Global Activities and Transfers its Filter Media Competence to New Markets
MANN+HUMMEL Group adapts filtration portfolio at short notice to meet new requirements arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The German company is a leading filtration specialist with more than 1 000 engineers worldwide. It has implemented global activities to help support an effective contamination control strategy in regards to the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Leadership in Filtration for Almost 80 years
Historically, MANN+HUMMEL has been known for its leading filtration solutions for automotive, heavy duty and industrial segments. Since early 2018, MANN+HUMMEL has been engaging in the Life Sciences & Environment segments and acquired leading filtration companies from the air and water filtration business, amongst others Jack Filter, Tri-Dim Filter Corporation and MICRODYN-NADIR. With the acquisition of the former Vokes Air Group, MANN+HUMMEL added almost nine decades of proven experience and know-how in indoor air, industrial air and public air filtration.
Following the acquisitions, MANN+HUMMEL has a state-of the art HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration product portfolio, filtration test labs as well as leading specialists with cleanroom filtration and Operating Theater (laminar flow) expertise within the group. This enables MANN+HUMMEL to support contamination control strategies by supplying HEPA filters and laying out pressure cascades to create emergency isolation rooms.
Large-scale Production and Supply of Facemask Media
“MANN+HUMMEL has repeatedly demonstrated our competence in successfully transferring technology and know-how to new applications. We now use our filtration competence in automotive to build up and drive the production and supply of media for facemasks in our LS&E business segment. We have several groups in different countries all over the world working on this important initiative and we are extremely proud of their efforts,” says Kurk Wilks, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MANN+HUMMEL Group.
MANN+HUMMEL is in contact with several textile manufacturers for appropriate filter media inlay supply to upgrade textile mouth-nose masks, which leading textile manufacturers have started to produce.
In addition to filter media inlays, MANN+HUMMEL has implemented large-scale manufacturing of filter masks (daily protective grade) in the new MANN+HUMMEL Center of Manufacturing Operations in Kunshan, China, and is preparing the set-up of another production line for medical grade (FFP2 / N95) facemasks.
Membrane Expertise for Separation of Viruses and Bacteria
MICRODYN-NADIR, the membrane and module specialist who has been a part of the MANN+HUMMEL Group since 2015, is contributing significantly to an improvement of the current situation as well: production at all plants continue as membrane technology plays a vital role in various critical functions, including the production of medications, vaccines or dialysis.
Moreover, membranes are the hidden champions when it comes to wastewater treatment. These membranes make wastewater fit for re-use or allow for the successful separation of bacteria, viruses, pharmaceutical residues or other micro-pollutants before releasing a wastewater treatment plant’s effluent to open bodies of water.
For inquiries on filter media, please get in touch with us: covid-19@mann-hummel.com
