Dana TM4

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Dana TM4
Company type Privately owned
Industry Cleantech, Transportation, Automotive, Commercial vehicle
Founded Boucherville, Québec, Canada (1998)
HeadquartersBoucherville, Canada
Products Electric motors
Power Electronics
Vehicle software
Parent 55% Dana Incorporated, 45% Hydro-Québec
Website www.danatm4.com

Dana TM4, previously known as TM4 Inc., is a joint-venture between Dana Corporation and government-owned public utility Hydro-Québec. Established in 1998, it is active in the development of electric vehicle motors and related power systems. [1] After spinning-off from Hydro-Québec's research center to commercialize their electric powertrain technologies, TM4 encountered some success in the 2000s, participating in many short-lived OEM demonstration programs. Commercially, things began to take-off in the 2010s, especially after they diversified their product ranges to serve the commercial vehicle (bus and truck) market. As of 2018, thousands of electric and hybrid vehicles were equipped with TM4 systems. [2]

Contents

To help TM4 become a global player in the supply of electric drivetrain components, Hydro-Québec, who had been its sole shareholder for most of TM4's existence, announced that it planned to set up a joint-venture with a world-scale auto parts manufacturer to facilitate the mass production and marketing of its product. [3] In line with this strategy, it announced in June 2018 that Dana Corporation would take over as majority shareholder of the company, while it would keep a minority stake. [4]

In 2019, Hydro-Québec announces that the company has invested $85 million to maintain its 45% interest in TM4, now called Dana TM4, and that now includes the following strategic relationships:

This investment puts Dana TM4 in a position to offer electric powertrain systems for all types of land vehicles, including light vehicles (cars and pickups), commercial vehicles (buses and trucks), and off-highway vehicles (construction, mining, and lift trucks). [5]

Background

A TM4 MFTIVE motor Tata Indica EV Engine bay.jpg
A TM4 MФTIVE motor

Technology development

On August 19, 1994, the Premier of Quebec, Daniel Johnson, had announced a C$100 million project to develop an electric car for the year 2000. On August 30, 1994, Hydro-Québec had presented their first prototype based on a Dodge Intrepid. [6] The economy in fuel consumption was evaluated between 80 and 85%. The project was cancelled in 1995 and many have seen the abandonment of this project as a repetition of the history of the CF-105. In 1998, Hydro-Québec worked on a prototype with a joint venture between Dassault Group and Société de Véhicules Electriques, the first prototypes based on a Renault Kangoo were built in 2006.[ citation needed ]

Hydro-Québec has been criticized for not having taken advantage of some of its innovations. An electric wheel motor concept that struck a chord with Quebecers, [7] first prototyped in 1994 by Pierre Couture, an engineer and physicist working at Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ), is one of these. [8] [9] The heir to the Couture wheel motor is now marketed by TM4, a subsidiary that has made deals with France's Dassault and Heuliez to develop an electric car, the Cleanova, of which prototypes were built in 2006. [10] Hydro-Québec announced in early 2009 at the Montreal International Auto Show that its engine had been chosen by Tata Motors to equip a demonstration version of its Indica model, which will be road tested in Norway. [11] [12] IREQ's researchers are also working on developing new battery technologies for electric cars. Current research is focusing on technologies to increase range, improve performance in cold weather and reduce charging time. [13]

Pilot programs and expansion of product range

Tata Indica EV equipped with a TM4 MOTIVE motor Tata Indica EV (MIAS).JPG
Tata Indica EV equipped with a TM4 MOTIVE motor

The first commercialization of the systems started in 2004 with the interest of Cleanova and Peugeot. Citroën had presented their new diesel hybrid Citroën C-Métisse equipped with the TM4 motor at the Paris auto show in 2006. In 2009, 110 units were delivered to the Miljø and Tata Motors demonstration project in Norway. In 2011, Tata Motors expect to sell up to 5000 of their Indica Vista EV in Europe, and to be able to face this demand, TM4 has upgraded its production facilities in Boucherville to be able to produce up to 10,000 units of their MOTIVE powertrain systems per year if needed. [14]

Over the years TM4 has diversified its product range based on the needs of two segments of the transportation industry. Its MOTIVE systems are compact and power dense in order to be integrated into light-duty on and off-road vehicle platforms while the SUMO motors are high torque, direct drive system optimized for buses and commercial vehicles.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) announced that it would replace the aging fleet of buses with a new family of buses powered by TM4 engine. All buses that run on the network of the STM in 2026 should run on electricity. [15] The current fleet of 1,600 buses need 50 million liters of diesel each year. The plan would eliminate the need of diesel and eventually reduce the greenhouse gas. [16] Los Angeles-based Thor Trucks use a TM4 for their battery-electric truck. [17] [18]

Mass production and joint-venture in China

China being one of the biggest market for electric buses, TM4 announced in 2012 the creation of a 50/50 joint venture in China. In partnership with Prestolite Electric Beijing Limited (PEBL), TM4 created Prestolite E-Propulsion Systems (PEPS). [19] Under this agreement, PEPS will produce the technologies developed by TM4 under license and will market them to the commercial vehicle and bus industry (the TM4 SUMO systems). In 2014, TM4 and PEPS announced the beginning of high volume production in the Beijing plant as well as its first large scale commercial orders, from major Chinese bus manufacturers such as Foton Motor. [20]

In May 2017, it was announced that PEPS had produced and sold more than 5000 electric bus powertrains for the Chinese market. [2] Later that month, the first Novabus LFSe buses using TM4 powertrains have started operating in Montreal in 2017. [21] TM4 is also supplying Quebec-based Lion Bus with drivetrain systems, as well as many other truck and bus manufacturers and integrators in North America and Europe. [22]

Dana acquisition and global expansion

On June 22, 2018, Dana Incorporated and Hydro-Quebec jointly announced that TM4 would be turned into a 55 / 45 joint-venture. Both parties believe that by partnering and complementing their respective strengths, TM4 will be able to reach its full potential. [4]

In July 2019, Hydro-Québec announces that the company has invested $85 million to secure the growth of TM4, now called Dana TM4, and to ensure its leadership position in the electric powertrain sector. This investment includes the exclusive property of Chinese company Dana Electric Motor Co. Ltd, formerly called Prestolite E-Propulsion Systems (PEPS), by Dana TM4, in which it previously held a 50% interest. [5] The new Dana TM4 entity also incorporated the activities of Italian low voltage inverter and motor manufacturer SME Group, [23] as well as, in 2020 Ashwood Electric motors in the UK. [24]

In 2020, Dana TM4 announced the opening of a new production facility for electric motors and inverters in the Pune region of India [25] and in 2021, an announcement was made regarding a new production plant in Amal, Sweden. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive industry</span> Organizations involved with motor vehicles

The automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, selling, repairing, and modification of motor vehicles. It is one of the world's largest industries by revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ligier</span> French automobile manufacturer

Ligier is a French automobile and minibus maker created by former racing driver and rugby player Guy Ligier (1930–2015), specialized in the manufacturing of microcars. Ligier is best known for its involvement in the Formula 1 World Championship between 1976 and 1996.

Iveco S.p.A., an acronym for Industrial Vehicles Corporation, is an Italian multinational transport vehicle manufacturing company with headquarters in Turin, Italy. It designs and builds light, medium, and heavy commercial vehicles. The name IVECO first appeared in 1975 after a merger of Italian, French, and German brands. Its production plants are in Europe, China, Russia, Australia and Latin America and it has about 5,000 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries. The worldwide output of the company amounts to around 150,000 commercial vehicles with a turnover of about €10 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydro-Québec</span> Canadian hydroelectric utility

Hydro-Québec is a Canadian Crown corporation public utility headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It manages the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Quebec, as well as the export of power to portions of the Northeast United States. More than 40 percent of Canada’s water resources are in Quebec and Hydro-Québec is the fourth largest hydropower producer in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isuzu</span> Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer

Isuzu Motors Ltd., commonly known as Isuzu, is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its principal activity is the production, marketing and sale of Isuzu commercial vehicles and diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tata Motors</span> Indian multinational automobile manufacturing company

Tata Motors Limited is an Indian multinational automotive company, headquartered in Mumbai and part of the Tata Group. The company produces cars, trucks, vans, and buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tata Indica</span> Motor vehicle

The Tata Indica is a B-segment car launched by the Indian manufacturer Tata Motors in 1998. It was the first Indian hatchback with a diesel engine. It was the first passenger hatchback from Tata Motors, with previous models being station wagons and SUVs. Indica is also considered one of India's indigenously developed passenger cars, though not the first. As of August 2008, more than 9.1 lakh units had been produced and the platform had spawned close to 12 lakh vehicles. Annual sales of Indica were as high as 1,44,690 units in 2006–2007. As of July 2009, monthly sales of Indica were around 8,000 units. The models were also exported to European and African countries from late 2004. The car was discontinued in April 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geely</span> Chinese automotive conglomerate

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. (ZGH), commonly known as Geely Holding, is a Chinese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The company is privately owned by Chinese entrepreneur Li Shufu, and mainly engaged in the automotive industry.

BYD Auto Co., Ltd. is the main automotive subsidiary and brand of BYD Company, a publicly listed Chinese multinational manufacturing company. It manufactures passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), collectively known as new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. It also produces electric buses and trucks.

Dana Incorporated American automotive parts manufacturer

Dana Incorporated is an American supplier of axles, driveshafts, transmissions, and electrodynamic, thermal, sealing, and digital equipment for conventional, hybrid, and electric-powered vehicles. The company's products and services are aimed at the light vehicle, commercial vehicle, and off-highway equipment markets. Founded in 1904 and based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs nearly 36,000 people in 33 countries. In 2019, Dana generated sales of $8.6 billion. The company is included in the Fortune 500.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Founded in 1954, it is currently the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in China, with 2.144 million sales in 2021.

Cleanova are a set of plug-in hybrid vehicles by the Société de Véhicules Electriques (SVE), a joint venture between Dassault, Heuliez and Hydro-Québec. Cleanova II is based on Renault Kangoo. In January 2010, SVE has been taken over by Dow Kokam. In 2009 Dow Kokam received a $161 million U.S. Department of Energy Grant for Next-Generation Battery Production for the hybrid and electric vehicle markets. The Michigan-based facility - Townsend Kokam Advanced Battery - is expected to produce enough batteries to supply 60,000 hybrid or electric vehicles per year. Three battery technologies are currently used in the Cleanova: Li-Mn2O4, Li-FePO4, and Li-NiCoAl, with storage capacity adjustable to customer needs. Half the battery capacity can for instance be restored within 30 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BAIC Group</span> Chinese automobile manufacturer

Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Shunyi, Beijing. Founded in 1958, it is the sixth largest automobile manufacturer in China, with 1.723 million sales in 2021.

Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei. Founded in 1969, it is currently the smallest of the "Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China with 671,000 sales in 2023, below SAIC Motor, Changan Automobile and FAW Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youngman</span> Chinese manufacturer of buses and trucks

Youngman was a Chinese manufacturer of buses and trucks located in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. The company was founded in 2001 by Pang Qingnian and also used to manufacture automobiles. However, its passenger car business appears to have ceased operation by mid-2015.

L'Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec(Hydro-Québec Research Institute), known by its acronym IREQ is a research institute established in 1967 by government-owned utility Hydro-Québec. IREQ operates from Varennes, a town on the south shore of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. IREQ operates on an annual research budget of approximately $100 million and specializes in the areas of high voltage, mechanics and thermomechanics, network simulations and calibration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Motor Company</span> American multinational automobile manufacturer

Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles and commercial vehicles under the Ford brand, and luxury cars under its Lincoln brand. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is controlled by the Ford family. They have minority ownership but the majority of the voting power.

The Lion Electric Company, is a Canadian-based manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Currently the biggest electric vehicle manufacturer in its segment, Lion primarily produces yellow school buses, public transit buses, semi-trucks, bucket trucks, and garbage/refuse trucks.

References

  1. ↑ "History". TM4 Electrodynamic Systems. Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "TM4 INC. and CUMMINS INC. announce a joint effort to develop a plug-in hybrid powertrain" (Press release). TM4. Retrieved June 28, 2017– via Newswire.ca.
  3. ↑ "History". TM4 Electrodynamic Systems.
  4. 1 2 "TM4 is now a Part of Dana Inc. with Hydro-Quebec Remaining as a Key Partner". TM4. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Hydro-Québec and partner Dana invest to strengthen their leadership position in electric powertrains". Dana TM4. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ Francoeur, Louis-Gilles (January 15, 2009). "Moteur-roue: Volvo dans les traces d'Hydro". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  7. ↑ Lavallée, Pierre (April 15, 2003). "Pourrait-on construire une voiture électrique au Québec?". 5 sur 5 (in French). CBC/Radio-Canada. Event occurs at 0:09:30. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009.
  8. ↑ Francoeur, Louis-Gilles (January 15, 2008). "Volvo sur les traces d'Hydro". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  9. ↑ Provost, Gilles; Gélinas, Pascal (March 9, 1997). "La Voiture électrique d'Hydro". Découverte (in French). CBC/Radio-Canada. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Voiture électrique: Moteur québécois, fabrication étrangère ?" (in French). CBC/Radio-Canada. September 22, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  11. ↑ "TM4 partners with Tata Motors and Miljø in electric vehicle demonstration project". Hydro-Québec. January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  12. ↑ Francoeur, Louis-Gilles (January 16, 2009). "Hydro-Québec est en voiture". Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  13. ↑ Cardinal, François (November 19, 2008). "Une batterie dans les cartons d'Hydro-Québec". La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Newsletter" (PDF). TM4. May 7, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2010.
  15. ↑ Lavallée, Pierre (May 21, 2010). "Des bus électriques d'ici 2026" (in French). CBC/Radio-Canada.
  16. ↑ "Montreal transit buses to go electric". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 21, 2010.
  17. ↑ Vance, Ashlee (December 13, 2017). "This Electric Truck Will Probably Beat Tesla's to Market". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Thor Trucks Storming Into Heavy-Duty EV Market". Trucks.com. December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  19. ↑ "TM4 and Prestolite Electric Beijing form a joint venture". TM4. February 8, 2012.
  20. ↑ "TM4, a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec, makes a significant breakthrough in China" (Press release). Hydro-Québec. September 17, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Nova Bus Deploys Fully Electric Buses on Montreal Streets". NGT News. May 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Customers". TM4. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  23. ↑ "SME group".
  24. ↑ "Ashwoods".
  25. ↑ "Dana to Open e-Drive Plant in India".
  26. ↑ "Dana TM4 to Establish New Electrodynamics Facility in Åmål, Sweden".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.