Gigantic market opens up for Opcon company

Gigantic market opens up for Opcon company SEM AB, the largest member of the Opcon Group, continues to invest in products that will help its customers make combustion engines cleaner. SEM Direct is an engine control system developed specifically for motorbikes used in extreme sports such as motocross and enduro. The system includes fuel supply and ignition and has been tested by drivers competing in Europe. Reactions have been completely positive. "Developing a system for this type of motorbike is a huge challenge. We have now reached our goals after several years of intensive development. We have created a control system specially for motorbikes that meets the toughest requirements in terms of performance and fuel consumption. The system enables motorbike manufacturers to meet the EU's new emission standards without compromising optimum performance," says Lars-Olof Ottosson, Managing Director of SEM AB. New standards for motorbike emissions were established during the Swedish presidency of the EU and will come into force in 2003 and 2006. "By 2006 the best known technology must be used and that will mean fuel injection and three-way catalytic converters. Our system is built around these technologies and we have operated engines to prove that we meet the emission levels set for 2003 and 2006," says Peter Oskarsson, project manager for SEM Direct. The prototype system is being tested on different motocross and enduro competition bikes, which means the most extreme driving conditions and maximum loads. Following test drives by over 20 different drivers, primarily competitors and manufacturers' own test drivers, the response to the new system has been very positive. "We are very pleased with the results. If you compare this system with one built for car engines, then SEM Direct is far superior when it comes to handling the specific conditions that apply in high-performance two-cylinder engines, both in terms of driving performance and environmental impact," says Göran Almqvist, an expert in combustion engines and emissions technology and the man responsible for developing the control principles observed by SEM Direct. The previously signed development agreement with Swedish motorbike manufacturer Husaberg Motor AB gives SEM AB one opportunity among several to work with the market's best engines used exclusively in competition. In Europe alone around 1.2 million motorbikes are sold each year which means that the market for engine control systems is worth very large sums. More than 20 million motorbikes are sold on the global market each year. "With SEM Direct we have created an excellent platform for winning a good share of this market," says Lars-Olof Ottosson. Serial manufacturing is planned to start in 2003 and pre-serial manufacturing will start this year. For further information, please contact Lars-Olof Ottosson, Managing Director, SEM AB, tel. +46 532 611 24 Peter Oskarsson, Head of Development, SEM AB, tel. +46 532 613 00 Lena Karlsson, Head of Information, Opcon, tel. +46 532 611 34, mob. +46 70 326 7403 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/01/14/20041001BIT20420/wkr0001.pdf