STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 15, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Haldex Brake Controls, a division in the Haldex group's (Other OTC:HLDXF) Commercial Vehicle Systems business area, has entered into an agreement with the Canadian company SmarTire Systems to integrate the SmarTire tire measurement system into Haldex ABS/EBS systems for heavy commercial vehicles.
The continuous measurement of tire pressures is increasingly becoming in focus to further enhance road safety both for passenger cars and commercial vehicles (trucks, trailers, buses). Among available technologies, the direct pressure measurement rather than indirect measurement techniques, has become the favored technology, as confirmed by recent legislation in the USA.
SmarTire, a leading supplier of direct tire measurement technology, has concentrated primarily on applications in the passenger car market. The present agreement allows Haldex to incorporate this proven technology into our brake control systems to provide a cost effective system of monitoring the pressures in commercial vehicle tires.
Haldex will incorporate certain parts of the system into our ABS/EBS systems and will develop appropriate software to provide monitoring and warning systems. SmarTire will provide certain components of the system, such as sensor devices that are fitted within the wheels/tires and CAN based receivers. Both companies will jointly develop the technology for future applications.
Haldex will use its position within the global heavy vehicle market to sell and market the technology as both original equipment and for the aftermarket. Legislation demanding tire pressure monitoring systems is likely to be introduced in several countries and the direct measurement is likely to be the predominant technology.
SmarTire Systems Inc. develops and markets proprietary tire monitoring systems for the transportation industry worldwide. Incorporated in 1987, SmarTire is a public company with offices in North America and Europe. Additional information ca be found at www.smartire.com.
The Haldex group (www.haldex.com), with headquarters in Stockholm, is a provider of proprietary and innovative solutions to the global vehice industry, with emphasis on products related to vehicle dynamics, safety and environmental issues. Haldex is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has annual sales of 6.5 billion SEK with 4,000 employees.
For further information contact Claes Warnander, President and CEO phone +46 8 545 049 50 Chuck Kleinhagen, COO phone +1 816 891 2470 Robert Else, President of Brake Controls division phone +44 1527 499 499.
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