Shell will fund a bespoke
prototype OX to take to India and will set up an outreach programme once the
vehicle is in India. The vehicle will be re-engineered and built by GMD, and
flat-packed for shipment to India in the later part of 2018.
The OX, based on GMD’s
flexible iStream technology, will run exclusively on Shell fluids including
Shell Rimula, a hard-working and high-performing diesel engine oil designed to
help heavy duty and light duty engines to run efficiently in demanding
conditions.
“Shell is eager to play a role
alongside others in developing and promoting mobility solutions in developing
regions. The OX to India demonstration will see the concept validated and
discussed on the ground in a real world setting. We know limited mobility in
hard-to-reach communities in developing economies can restrict access to basic
services and can limit the effectiveness of efforts to improve the quality of
life. The OX has the potential to broaden access to transport possibilities and
all the resulting benefits that come with this,” said Huibert Vigeveno,
Executive Vice President, Shell Global Commercial.
The OX is designed to carry a
payload of 1,900kg (approximately twice the capacity of most current pick-ups),
which could include everyday necessities, medical supplies, building and
agriculture materials. It can seat up to 13 people. The vehicle was envisioned
by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Torquil Norman and designed by renowned
automotive engineer Professor Gordon Murray.
Other innovative features of
the OX include:
Lightweight, rugged and
durable design to maximise payload for goods and people
Low cost, simple maintenance
through accessible components and fewer parts
Designed for self-assembly,
supplied fully assembled or flat-packed for easy shipping and local assembly
Sir Torquil Norman, founder of
GVT said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Shell aboard the OX project and for
sharing GVT's vision that this remarkable and versatile vehicle will provide a
transformation in affordable mobility for so many people where the need is most
acute. With Shell taking the OX to India
we can demonstrate its capability in a key market, which will help attract
long-term production partners.”
Professor Gordan Murray,
Executive Chairman, GMD said: “After our highly successful co-engineering Shell
Concept Car programme with Shell, it is exciting to be once again working with
Shell on the next phase of this extremely important and ground-breaking
project. The OX is one of our most
important engineering designs and it is certainly the vehicle of which I am
most proud of, as its disruptive design has the potential to change the current
mobility model and with Shell’s vision this vehicle could go on to improve so
many people’s lives.”