Successful First U.S.-China Clean Truck and Bus Summit Links Companies, Agencies From Both Nations

BEIJING--(Marketwire - Oct 31, 2012) - This week more than 120 attendees from leading U.S. and Chinese clean truck and bus technology companies, together with representatives from key agencies of both governments, took part in the first U.S.-China Clean Truck and Bus Summit here to help link U.S. firms with Chinese partners and increase exports.

The Summit is a first of its kind event to link U.S. and Chinese companies specifically in clean fuels and technology for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and is a key component of CALSTART's overall U.S.-China Clean Truck and Bus Technology Forum (www.chinacleantruck.org), supported in part by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA).

The Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy in China, Robert Wang, provided opening remarks for the Summit. Wang cited a history of U.S.-China cooperation, saying, "This forum is just the beginning. I hope each of you will be able to leave here with a better understanding of the economic and environmental benefits offered by new energy vehicles. I also hope that the American and Chinese attendees and sponsors will not only expand their own business opportunities, but continue contributing to the extended cooperation by our two nations as we roll out the future of clean technology together."

"Our objective is to bring top industry and government leaders together in a small, focused summit aimed at advancing the clean truck and bus market," said John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART.

U.S. industry Summit sponsors include technology leaders Dow Kokam (energy storage), Navistar (truck and engine), Eaton Corporation (hybrid, electric, transmission), BAE Systems (hybrid, power management) and Wells Fargo (clean tech investment), together with Chinese industry sponsor Weichai Power (engine, hybrid, power generation). 

Government attendees also come from an impressive cross-section of agencies, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, China's Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. In addition, transit operators from major Chinese urban centers took part in the event.

"A key part of the Summit's success is due to our strong partners in China," noted Bill Van Amburg, CALSTART Senior Vice President and creator of the Forum. "The Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation (iCET) has been our primary organizing partner, with co-hosting partners China Automotive Energy Research Institute (CAERI) and CCNP, a heavy duty powertrain new energy alliance led by Weichai. Their expertise and contacts in China, coupled with our deep relationships in the U.S. clean transportation industry, have made the first Summit extremely valuable for attendees, and lays the groundwork for future Summits and next steps."

An award from the Commerce Department's Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) partially supports the U.S.-China Clean Truck and Bus Forum work. MDCP work is targeted at well-defined business plans aimed at increasing exports and U.S. competitiveness within certain industries. These cooperative agreements help to further President Obama's National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 in support of several million U.S. jobs.

About CALSTART
CALSTART is a non-profit organization that works nationally to foster the rapid growth of the clean transportation technology industry. The organization supports industry growth by providing valuable information and analysis, fostering strategic partnerships, supporting smart public policies, and managing high-impact technology commercialization programs. CALSTART has more than 150 member companies and offices in California, Colorado, and Michigan. For more information visit www.calstart.org.