——Toyota and Linde’s Hydrogen Forklifts Firstly Shone at CeMAT2008

On May 31^st, five-day CeMAT2008 was successfully closed. Attracting the most attention, Toyota and Linde respectively put forward their hydrogen forklifts to compete for the high-point of industrial vehicles, which undoubtedly was the most stunning part of CeMAT.

The two pioneers in industrial vehicle manufacturers will never be reconciled to give way in terms of healthy, energy-saving and environmental protection.

With continuously deepening global energy crisis, drying-up petroleum resource, more and more harmful air pollution and uprising global temperature, environmental protection and energy saving technology has gained more attention from industry vehicle and forklift industry all over the world. Many well-known forklift manufacturers invested a lot to research and develop environment-friendly and energy-saving forklifts: Jungheinrich keeps dedicating to develop direct methanol fuel cell forklifts; Nissan is planning to produce lithium electric forklift; STILL has rolled off hybrid power forklifts. All of these are aiming at reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emission.

As leading forklift manufacturers, Toyota and Linde successfully developed hydrogen forklifts by adopting hydrogen fuel cell, which shined brightly at CeMAT2008. Moreover, the two companies also demonstrated their new forklifts on spot.

Compared with traditional gasoline, diesel and battery forklifts, hydrogen forklifts perform better on environmental protection and durability, while its emission is only water and stream with zero pollution, no machinery vibration, low noise and low heat radiation.

In addition, Chinaforklift.com (www.chinaforklift.com, English version www.forkliftnet.com ) also acknowledged that American Raymond and Crown are engaged in the development of hydrogen forklifts as well. Obviously, the manufacturing and development of industrial vehicles in developed countries (Europe, USA and Japan) always lead the world. Our domestic industrial vehicle manufacturers are limited to the supply and relevant matching of fuel cells, which are still in the initial stage and need to strive for keeping pace with the developed ones.

There is 75% hydrogen among the universe mass, and hydrogen exists everywhere on the earth. The facts that hydrogen is the lightest element with the best heat conduction, ignition, high heat value (1kg hydrogen equals with 3.8L gasoline) have provided forceful assurance for the development of hydrogen forklifts.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc., (TMHU) has been the number-one selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains popular due to its quality, reliability and durability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota’s world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) in Columbus, Ind. Most of the Toyota lift trucks, including the 8-Series, sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM.

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement. Toyota remains the first and only manufacturer in the world to offer a factory installed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system that is UL-listed, and EPA-CARB certified. Toyota’s LPG-, CNG- and gasoline-powered 8-Series lift trucks produce 70 percent less smog-forming emissions than the current federal EPA standard and meet California’s more stringent 2010 emission standard.1

Toyota’s commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 190 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.

About Linde (China)

Linde (China) Forklift Truck Corp., Ltd., the Asian base of Linde Forklift Truck was established in Dec. 1993 with a total investment of RMB 1.7 billion, which is the biggest forklift truck manufacturer in China with advanced technology. Since entering China, Linde has developed a comprehensive network of sales and service providing advanced materials handling equipment and professional service. Linde provides the best solutions to improve material handling efficiency and reduce costs.