Assembly - December 2008 - (Page 15) third quarter of 2008, a 13 percent increase over the same quarter in 2007. “We are pleased to have set a new third-quarter sales and revenues record, particularly considering the recessionary conditions in North America and growing weakness in Europe and Japan,” says company CEO Jim Owens. “Demand in emerging markets and commodity prices at levels that encourage investment in mining and energy have helped offset negative economic conditions in much of the developed world.” According to Owens, “Caterpillar has a strong balance sheet, a solid credit rating and access to the capital we need to run our business.” Much of this continuing success is a result of the increasingly global nature of Caterpillar’s business. Approximately 60 percent of sales in the third quarter were to companies outside of North America, up from 56 for same time period in 2007. conventional commercial buses. The buses will be used in normal route traffic in and around Luxembourg City, ideally on stretches with frequent stops so that the hybrid technology can be fully optimized. “To be able to choose such buses on a large scale, they must be economically viable. This is the reason why we selected Volvo,” says Sales-Lentz partner Jos Sales. “Despite the higher purchase price, over time they yield a lower cost per kilometer due to the substantial fuel savings.” Let Bosch Do the Parking STUTTGART, Germany— Bosch Rexroth AG’s new “parking assistant” technology is now available in A- and B-class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz (Stuttgart, Germany). The system uses ultrasonic sensors to precisely Volvo Receives its First Hybrid Bus Order GOTEBORG, Sweden— Volvo AB has received its Bosch Rexroth AG has created a new first commercial order for the “parking assistant” system that new 7700-model hybrid bus. parallel parks a vehicle with only The order, from Luxembourg minimal help from the driver. bus operator Sales-Lentz, is for measure a parking spot and then six vehicles to be delivered in late navigate the car into place—with only minimal help from the op2009 and early 2010. Launched this past fall, the new erator. The system reportedly can hybrid vehicle offers fuel savings parallel park a vehicle as quickly of up to 30 percent compared to as an experienced driver. In operation, the ultrasonic sensors automatically measure the length of a potential parking space as the car drives by. If a parking space is large enough, the system informs the driver and then automatically steers the vehicle into place while the diver works the accelerator and brake. Bosch engineers are currently working on a system that will enVolvo AB has begun receiving able automatic parking with no inorders for its new hybrid put at all on the part of the driver. commercial buses. www.assemblymag.com December 2008 / ASSE M B LY 15 http://www.balluff.com/assembly http://www.assemblymag.com
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