Filed under: Arboc Spirit of Mobility, Braun, Commercial Buses, Diamond Coach, Espar Heater, Exide, Fleetguard, Glaval, Hankook Tires, Hoglund Bus, Hoglunds, IC, International, Mark Your Calendars, Minnesota, Open House, Parts, Ricon, Training, Trucks, Turtle Top
You’re Invited!!
Hoglund’s Annual Open House – Wednesday, October 7th from 11am to 2pm.
The Open House will be held in our new service bays!
Place a parts order of $100 or more during the Open House and be entered to win 1 of 5 $100 gift cards!
BBQ provided by Diamond Coach
Register to Win - TV, Pressure Washer, Gift Cards, Apparel, Jewelry, and much more!
Vendors that will be attending include:
IC Sales, International, International Finance, Arboc Mobility, Allison, Braun, Carrier, Champion Bus, CMI Fabrics, Collins/Mid Bus, Diamond Coach, Dupont, Espar, Exide, Freedman Seating, Fleetguard, Hoglund Body and Equipment, IC Parts and Service, International Renewed, Authorized Transmission Remanufacturing, Glaval, Haldex/Midland, Hankook Tire, Koroseal, NCS, Pomp’s Tire, Premire Bank, Q-Straint, REI, Ricon, Rosco, SKF, Sure-Lok, Trans/Air Mfg. Co., Translite, Truck Utilities Mfg. Co., Turtle Top, Ventech and more!
Training Seminars:
11:00 – 12:00 Parts Catalog Online*
12:00 – 1:00 IC Hybrid Technology
1:00 – 2:00 Hands-On Training with Doug Yager (Tech Helpline Specialist)
1:00 – 2:00 Navistar Financial
* Attend and enter to win a Nintendo Wii Bundle
Call to register at 763-295-5119
Filed under: Commercial Buses, Hoglund Bus, Hybrid, Scott Gretsch, Turtle Top
One local company’s hybrid vehicles have been drawing the attention of government entities across the country.
Turtle Top Inc., a New Paris-based specialty vehicle manufacturer, hosted Hoglund Bus Co. representative Scott Gretsch this week. Gretsch was checking on an order he helped to coordinate for 15 hybrid buses for Metro Mobility, a regional transportation service for people unable to use fixed-route buses due to disabilities or health conditions. The service is administered by the Metropolitan Council of Minnesota. Metro Mobility’s fleet manager accompanied Gretsch on the trip.
“This order has been in the making for quite some time,” Gretsch said. “It was placed this spring, and the reason that Metro Mobility chose Turtle Top is just because of their high quality.”
He also pointed to what he saw as a pioneering aspect of the purchase.
“It’s one of the first orders of that size, if not the first made for hybrid buses in the country,” Gretsch said.
While visiting the plant he and the fleet manager performed pilot inspections on the buses under construction.
Interest tied to fuel cost Turtle Top Vice President Phil Tom said he is happy about the order, but not surprised. “We’ve been working on the deal for a while,” Tom said. “We’re also building a hybrid vehicle for the state of Florida.”
Tom explained that while interest in the company’s products was high when fuel was topping $4 per gallon, as the price dropped, so did that interest. So over the last two years, the company has been working on its hybrid program, not only prototyping and testing, but exposing the products to large vehicle fleets, the federal government and several car rental agencies.
“There is definitely interest at all the various levels. I think people are just trying to get themselves educated and see if it would work for them and their duty cycles,” Tom said. “The strongest interest level definitely has been with municipalities and government at the state level. Hotel shuttles, the limousine market, those segments really aren’t interested, at least at this time.”
Turtle Tops’ new hybrid vehicles require more construction lead time than its normal buses, and take about 120 days to be built and shipped. Part of that time increase is due to the chassis required by the hybrid systems. Each chassis has to be special ordered.
Another option
In addition to hybrid systems, Turtle Top also offers a bi-fuel system that runs on liquid propane and gasoline, as well as a compressed natural gas system. Tom said company officials have been in conversations with a company offering a liquid propane injection system that runs exclusively on propane.
“We’re working with a lot of different types of technology these days when it comes to alternative fuels, and we try to provide our clients with a system that works best for their individual segment as well as help improve our environment,” Tom said.
One such new development is a pollution-control technology coming out in 2010. The system scrubs the exhaust in a diesel vehicle.
“Once it’s done with the conversion, the air coming in the front will be dirtier than the air coming out of the tailpipe,” Tom said.
By Jesse Davis THE GOSHEN NEWS NEW PARIS
Filed under: Commercial Buses, Green, Hoglund Bus, Hybrid, Minnesota, Turtle Top
OAK PARK, MI, July 22 /CNW/ – Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD – News) – (“Azure”) or (the “Company”), a leading developer of state-of-the-art green technologies that address environmental and cost issues for the commercial transportation industry, today announced a partnership with Turtle Top, a leading body manufacturer specializing in small to mid-sized buses and specialty vehicles. The agreement provides Turtle Top customers and dealers the opportunity to select Azure’s Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric drivetrain system on the Ford E-450 chassis.
“Although the relationship with Turtle Top is relatively new, it has already brought us success,” said Jay Sandler, Azure Dynamics Vice President of Sales. “Our recent 15 unit sale to Metro Mobility was a collaborative effort among Azure, Turtle Top and Hoglund Bus, a dealership in Monticello, Minnesota. Together, we can create the ideal transportation solution to meet and exceed customers’ needs.”
“Turtle Top has worked aggressively in the production and distribution of environmentally friendly vehicles over the past several years,” said Phil Tom, Vice President of Sales for Turtle Top. “Customers are demanding alternative energy sources to comply with anti-idle regulations and fuel efficiency standards. Our partnership with Azure Dynamics will allow us to offer the fuel efficient and environmentally friendly products that customers are demanding.”
With its electric-launch assist, engine-off at idle and regenerative braking, the Azure Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric is ideally suited for the tough start and stop conditions endured by shuttle buses. As a result, Turtle Top customers who select the Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric can expect up to 40% improvement in fuel economy and up to 30% reduction in maintenance costs. Importantly, the hybrid drive train also reduces greenhouse emissions by up to 30% thereby reducing the owner’s carbon footprint and improving air quality.
With the addition of Turtle Top, Azure has now partnered with seven of the leading bus body manufacturers in the US and Canada. Additionally, Azure has partnered with 27 Ford commercial truck dealerships in key markets across North America. These partnerships give Azure significant market presence and expanded sales and service capabilities.
Turtle Top began manufacturing automotive products in 1962 and is well known in the automotive industry for its quality, service, longevity and integrity. Turtle Top’s facility is located in New Paris, Indiana.
For more information about Azure Dynamics and its products, please visit www.azuredynamics.com.
About Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD – News) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.
Oak Park, Michigan – June 11, 2009 – Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) – (“Azure”) or (the “Company”), a leading developer of state-of-the-art green technologies that address environmental and cost issues for the commercial transportation industry, today announced an initial order for fifteen Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric shuttle buses from Metro Mobility in Minnesota. Metro Mobility is a public transit service of the Metropolitan Council and provides door-through-door ADA paratransit service in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. The buses will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Jay Sandler, Azure’s Vice President of Sales, commented, “The Metro Mobility buses represent another victory for our channel distribution strategy. By partnering with Hoglund Bus, a commercial vehicle distributor in Monticello, Minnesota, and Turtle Top Bus, a specialty vehicle manufacturer in New Paris, Indiana, we were able to submit a comprehensive bid that ultimately earned the Metro Mobility contract. In turn, the buses we provide Metro Mobility will help the organization lower its operating costs, substantially reduce greenhouse emissions and provide reliable transportation for residents in the Twin Cities region.”
The purchase of Azure’s hybrid drive train is a result of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council’s stated goal to increase usage of green technologies in the region. The contract covering this order remains open should other Minnesota entities desire to add Azure products to their portfolios.
“Earning the Metro Mobility business represents a great first step for our partnership with Azure and Turtle Top,” said Scott Gretsch, Commercial Vehicle Sales at Hoglund Bus. “Increasingly, our customers are expressing interest in hybrid transportation solutions that are environmentally friendly and cost effective. We’re thrilled to support Metro Mobility in its important mission of providing transportation services to area residents.”
The Azure Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric system specified by Metro Mobility has unique attributes like engine-off at idle and at below 20 miles per hour, while electronically supporting key ancillary functions like air conditioning, power steering and braking. The drive train, with a Ford 5.4L engine, can improve fuel economy substantially, while reducing carbon emissions by up to 30% in city conditions. The hybrid drive train also offers a significant reduction in maintenance costs versus conventionally equipped competitors.
About Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.
The following pictures is of a mobile cell phone store created out of a Turtle Top bus for IWireless.
The bus was set to be unveiled on the floor of the I Wireless Event center in Moline, IL on 6/3/09 for their employee appreciation day.
Pictures with people are the executive members of the company that came by at 10:00 the night before because they could not wait until the morning to see the bus.
We hope that this new venture for IWireless is successful and that they get all they wanted out of their new bus.
Filed under: Turtle Top
TURTLE TOP made the cover of the March 2009 issue of Limousine Digest and is featured in an article on pages 20 and 21.
We think the article gives a great history of Turtle Top. To read the article, click on the link below.
Filed under: Arboc Spirit of Mobility, Diamond Coach, Glaval, IC, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Transit Show, Turtle Top, Winner
The Minnesota Public Transit Show was held at the end of September. Hoglund Bus had factory representatives from Turtle Top, Diamond Coach, IC, Glaval and Arboc Spirit of Mobility at their booth. Attendees filled out a survey for what Wii can do for you, and then were entered in a drawing for a Nintendo Wii system with a bunch of games! The winner of the drawing was Alex Curtiss of the Metropolitan Council. Congratulations, Alex!
-
- What can Wii do for you?
-
- Attendees checking out the Hoglund Bus Booth
Filed under: 2010 Emissions, Arboc Spirit of Mobility, Braun, Diamond Coach, Exide, Fleetguard, Hybrid, IC, Minnesota, Open House, Ricon, Turtle Top
We hope that everyone was able to come to our Open House on September 24. If you weren’t able to make it, you sure missed out! We had 31 vendors participate, including Braun, Exide, Fleetguard, IC Corp, Ricon and Turtle Top. Training for 2010 emissions and Hybrid buses was given by Ryan Rockafellow from IC Corp. Last but not least, the BBQ lunch was provided by Diamond Coach. The sausage, brisket, beans, and everything was delicious.
-
- Dick Seybolt from Diamond Coach tending the grill
-
- Auction Buses ready to be bid on.
-
- Hybrid Turtle Top bus
-
- Signing up for Door Prizes
-
- Iowa and Southern MN Commercial Bus Salesman Evan Saxton-Williams showing the new ARBOC bus.
