Magneti Marelli and the American company ElectroJet have signed a partnership agreement aimed at producing and marketing an engine control system thanks to which electronic injection can be fitted on 2 and 3-wheel vehicles simply and cheaply.
The solution is addressed in general to all motorbike manufacturers worldwide, and its specific objective is the large Asian two-wheeler market, with special focus on India and China, where approximately 30 million vehicles are manufactured each year.
By combining their respective technological know-how, ElectroJet and Magneti Marelli can launch on the market a solution that fits the components of an electronic engine control system (injector, pump, control electronics, air metering body) into a device whose shape and size are similar to those of a simple carburettor. As a result, this system requires little modification to small-sized engines typically used in Asian motorcycles, at the same time ensuring a noticeable improvement in fuel supply efficiency and a reduction in emitted pollutants.
Introducing the electronic injection on small-sized engines is functional in terms of the new regulations limiting the amount of pollutants emitted by 2 and 3-wheel vehicles currently enforced in various markets. In terms of technological evolution, the adoption of said standards may have an impact similar to the one generated for automobiles by the gradual introduction of Euro I and Euro II directives between 1991 and 1996, which caused millions of vehicles to go through the revolutionary technological change from carburettor to electronic injection.
The cooperation between Magneti Marelli and ElectroJet is geared towards encouraging the same technological leap for 2 and 3-wheel vehicles, on key markets such as Asia, through a device that combines technology, simplicity, and easy implementation.
Specifically, according to the partnership Magneti Marelli is to provide the design with an emphasis on design-to-cost, facilities and machinery, sales network, and technological know-how in the Powertrain area, while ElectroJet will share its industry know-how, innovative designs, and patented technologies in the area of control systems intended for small-sized engines.
The agreement with ElectroJet represents a further step in Magneti Marelli’s strategy developed for the two-wheeler market, further strengthening an already consolidated presence on medium and large-sized motorbikes in Europe and North America.
Magneti Marelli’s CEO Eugenio Razelli stated: “The two-wheeler market in general, and the Asian one in particular, represents a very interesting business opportunity for us, considering the number of new vehicles produced each year. ElectroJet’s expertise in the area of electronic control of “small-sized” engines, combined with our know-how, production capacity and commercial presence in the reference markets lead to an ideal solution for the world of two and three-wheelers capable of complying even with the new anti-pollution regulations in force in China and in India”.
Kyle Schwulst, CEO of ElectroJet commented: “We have a market-changing product, but the partnership with Magneti Marelli, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, is a game-changer for us. ElectroJet was looking for an industry partner whom could help scale our business. Marelli is an ideal partner, providing expertise and a manufacturing backbone with global presence. I believe that the combination of efforts between ElectroJet and Magneti Marelli will provide a compelling proposition to customers in these markets.”