Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize is launched at the New York International Auto Show 20 March 2008 - MDI vehicle in the spotlight

MDI Vehicle shines in New York
Today (20 March 2008) the 100% Solar & Sustainable IT MDI–Energy Initiative takes another step towards sustainable solar lifestyles for all, as our JV partner, MDI (Moteur Development International s.a) of France, unveils a version of the MDI Compressed Air powered car on the international stage in New York, to feature in the launch of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize at the prestigious New York International New York Auto Show.

The X-Prize Foundation
The X-Prize Foundation designs the X-Prize to “incite innovation by tapping into our [human] competitive and entrepreneurial spirits”.  In recent years, the X-Prize has encouraged the development of private space travel. The Ansari X-Prize was awarded to the Mojave Aerospace Ventures team in 2004.  SpaceShipOne is the first of a new generation of private, commercial vehicle designed carry people into space.

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize
On 20 March 2008, the X-Prize Foundation announced at the New York International Auto Show that it has partnered with Progressive Insurance to offer a $ USD 10 Million Automotive X-Prize.

“Imagine a world where super efficient cars are desirable, affordable and everywhere… where gasoline no longer makes history, but is history…” *

 “Our goal is to stimulate automotive technology, manufacturing and marketing breakthroughs that:

• Radically reduce oil consumption and harmful emissions
• Result in a new generation of super-efficient and desirable mainstream vehicles that people want to buy “ *

*Learn more about the Progressive Automotive X-Prize

The 100% Solar & Sustainable IT MDI–Energy Initiative
The 100% Solar & Sustainable IT MDI–Energy Initiative aims to usher a smooth transition to 100% solar based and fully sustainable infrastructures for power generation, transport and communications, and welcomes the innovation encouraged by the Progressive Automotive X-Prize as a platform to showcase the efficiency and sustainability of the MDI transportation technology that is core component of the Initiative.

Australasia 2007

Presentations of the IT MDI–Energy industrial development plans in Australia and New Zealand were held in Melbourne during the week of 5–9 November and in Christchurch and Queenstown during the week of 12–16 November.

These recent events are now available for download:

 Melbourne review (244 KB)
 New Zealand review (132 KB)

 

MDI OneCAT taking shape

The body of the new MDI OneCAT is taking shape at the MDI plant in Nice. MDI plans to unveil the pre-commercial series version of the OneCAT in December 2007. [10 October 2007]

New MDI Power Generator

Guy Nègre presents the design of the new MDI Power Generator (12kW - 700 x 770 x 500 mm). This stand-alone unit will be able to be powered by a wide variety of fuels including natural gas, diesel fuel, biogas, thermal solar, waste heat recycled from a wide range of industrial processes and (with a special burner attachment) a wide range of other biomass fuels. It can also be configured as an Emergency Back-up Power Generator and UPS replacement (Uninterruptible Power Supply).

The photo shows Mr Guy Nègre (left) providing a scale for the new unit (shown without its covering case) and for comparison, Mr Paul Durant (right), MDI's Financial Director, standing beside an equivalent diesel fuelled commercial power generator costing over €10,000 new. We plan to commercialise the MDI unit for a fraction of the cost of current diesel generators. [31 July 2007]

MDI OneCAT

The Master for the making of the body of the new MDI OneCAT is unveiled at the MDI plant in Nice. The event was covered by a German film crew. MDI plans to unveil the pre-commercial series version of the OneCAT in December 2007. [14 June 2007]

Establishing the first manufacturing plant in Australia

The IT MDI - Energy Team has been surveying a number of potential sites for the establishment of the first manufacturing facility in Australia. Potential sites of interest include sites in Kempsey, north of Sydney, sites in Wollongong south of Sydney, and sites near Melbourne and Geelong. IT MDI - Energy plans to begin establishing the first manufacturing plant on one of those sites during the first half of 2008. [9 May 2007]

IT MDI-Energy Initiative

Dr Louis Arnoux, Managing Director of the IndraNet Group of Companies, presented the IT MDI‐Energy Initiative to the media at Parliament House in Canberra. [1 March 2007]
 Canberra event newsletter (1.2 MB)

Tata Motors agreement with MDI strengthens IndraNet – MDI joint venture for Australasian markets and potential exports of combined ITMDI distributed electrical power generation technology package. [08 Feb 2007]

The following Press releases are available as downloads in PDF format:
 IT MDI‐Energy Ltd (454 KB)
 Tata Motors Ltd (327 KB)