Range extenders can extend the driving range for an electric vehicle ...

innovation
Landi Renzo taking
alternative fuel systems
to the U.S. By: Jon Knox and Jeff Seisler
The U.S. market is to benefit from the experience
and knowledge of a leading manufacturer of
LPG and CNG alternative automotive fuel
systems and components, Landi Renzo.
In January 2010, the Italian firm
registered its U.S. subsidiary – Landi
Renzo USA Corporation. It already has
subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and South
America. “In the U.S. there is huge
potential for the use of eco-friendly
fuels, particularly natural gas, in the
transportation segment. Landi Renzo will
be playing a key role in the development
of this sector and will take advantage of the
many business opportunities it offers,” says
Claudio Carnevale, CEO of Landi Renzo.
Landi Renzo says it controls more than 30% of
the market for LPG and CNG alternative automotive
fuel systems and components. The company was established
in 1954 and during the last five years has registered a compound
annual growth rate of more than 30%. It has become a global player
through subsidiaries in ten countries covering all continents. The
company currently provides components or complete systems to
some of the largest OEMs around the world including Toyota, GM
Group, Fiat Group, Renault, PSA, BMW, Mini, Suzuki, Tata and
Mahindra&Mahindra. It also provided components to a number
of Chinese car makers including Chery, Geely and JinbeiAshok
Leyland and Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Company.
The Landi Renzo Quality System is in line with the most stringent
automotive requirements and is 2001 ISO/TS 16949 certified. After
an extensive certification process, more than 300 of the company’s
workshops in Italy are now ISO 9001 certified. “Landi Renzo has
already collaborated with some of the top car manufacturers on an
international level. The complexity of electronics in modern vehicles
results in the need for a stable and ongoing collaboration in order
to design and build systems that can be perfectly integrated
with the electronics and mechanics of current vehicles,” says the
company. “Collaborations with these manufacturers are focused
on addressing specific markets. Considering current development
programs, CNG and LPG bi-fuel vehicles will increase dramatically
in the future.”
In line with this policy, Landi Renzo created a division dedicated
exclusively to products for car manufacturers. The company
continues to invest in the division and one of its successful
collaborations was with the FIAT Group (FIAT, Lancia, Alfa Romeo).
A range of vehicles launched in 2009 was developed in strong
collaboration between Landi Renzo and FIAT teams. The result
was a portfolio of bi-fuel vehicles sellable on the FIAT network
under FIAT warranty procedures.
Automotive Industries (AI) spoke to Claudio Carnevale,
CEO of Landi Renzo S.p.A., and asked him how Landi Renzo
manages to continue to adapt its technology to fit with the
changes in vehicle technology and emissions standards.
12 to read full version of AI stories go to www.ai-online.com
ABOVE: Claudio Carnevale, CEO of Landi Renzo
S.p.A and Stefano Landi, CEO, managing director
and director, Landi Renzo S.p.A.
“
We ensure that we are constantly
aware of the innovations introduced
to car models and even anticipate the
possible demands of our customers.
We continue to be the first choice of
major car producers thanks to this
technological responsiveness.
”
LEFT: Claudio Carnevale, CEO of
Landi Renzo S.p.A.