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NAFA Announces First-Ever Regional Council Leaders

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today announced the leaders that make up the Regional Councils as part of NAFA’s new regional governance model rolled out earlier this year. “The new regional structure was born from a multi-year effort and driven by NAFA leadership, staff and groups of members that shaped a plan to allow all members to make the most of their membership regardless of where they work,” says Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest to serve on our new Regional Councils and know these leaders will be instrumental in our ongoing evolution of NAFA to expand our member value as our industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.” +++++ The following individuals sit on NAFA’s eight Regional Councils: Northeast Jacqueline Agel (Chair) Hannah Abdoo Justin Flannery Chris Langlois Brian J. Scott Mid-Atlantic Brandon S. Boring (Chair) Oleg Cytowicz David T. Hayward Tadeh Issakhanian Robin N. Meritt Nancy L. Murray Lisa R. Nutter J. Darryl Syler Kyle Waters Midwest Chris Hartlep (Chair) Trevor Crawford Naomi Kislanski Donna Lind Jennifer J. Morgan Parthiban Parasuraman Elizbeth Stomberg Josh Wallace Russell Werra Nicolas Wilson Northcentral Kathy R. Wellik (Chair) Lance Flegel Michael Keim Michael McDonald David D. McFarland Peggy Schuette Northwest James Laverty (Chair) Eric Chitoubol Levi C. Clark Jacob Mahan Jason Rosete Michael Stoller Southeast Brenda Peshel (Chair) Timothy E. Coxwell Michael Naglieri Marie A. Pepper Dave Persad Cedric B. Roberts Shelley Warren Southcentral Thomas Christian (Chair) Amy Boone Tim Fortson Jeff G. Hill Brian Marshall Mike Mosakowski Bo Villarreal John T. Walden Wayne W. Westerholm Southwest Josh E. Turley (Chair) Elmer Andujar Mike Antich Gwen Black Patrick Collins Lorie A. Gill David Mattke Bradley J. Northup Desiree Taylor +++++ NAFA is pleased to welcome these dedicated individuals to the Regional Councils. Their service to the fleet and mobility world inspires innovation, creates progress and truly keeps our industry moving forward. Several events around the new Regional Governance model are set to take place during NAFA’s Institute & Expo in Baltimore this week including a regional leader coaching session and the NAFA Regional Forum and Leadership Experience Overview, which will provide an opportunity for members to meet with their home region and brainstorm ideas for goals within the new structure. It will also preview the 2023 NAFA Leadership Experience launching in early May. Additionally, a regional reception was held Monday evening to kick off the conference. To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/ About NAFA NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Keaveny Hewitt +1 919-622-5276 khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 18, 2023 10:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

U.S. Global Investors Chief Investment Officer sees US trends emerging in Europe

HANetf Holdings Limited

U.S. Global Investors Chief Investment Officer Frank Holmes visits the Proactive London studio to discuss latest from the world of civil aviation, including the demand for flights post-COVID, the shortage of pilots leading to pricing power for airlines, and the positive cash flow turnaround for the airline industry. He also highlights the potential for investment opportunities in publicly listed airports around the world. With changing demographics and increased remote work options, Holmes believes that the demand for air travel will continue to grow, making the airline industry an attractive investment opportunity. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

April 18, 2023 05:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAFA’s Inaugural I&E 2023 Media Day Shines a Spotlight on Fleet Industry Innovations

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today held its first-ever Media Day event at its annual Institute & Expo (I&E) at the Baltimore Convention Center. At Media Day, nearly a dozen leading companies shared breaking news, innovations, and other important announcements with industry reporters and publications in back-to-back press conferences. Media Day provided a unique opportunity for companies to showcase the latest developments in the fleet industry. Participants showcased a range of industry advancements in data analytics, safety technologies, electrification, and more. "It’s been fascinating learning about the groundbreaking technologies and solutions that companies are developing to tackle the challenges of the future and pave the way for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable world," said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “We are thrilled to have Media Day become a part of the I&E lineup, and look forward to seeing how the industry continues to innovate and push the boundaries in 2023 and beyond.” Below is a look at the breaking news presented during NAFA’s I&E Media Day 2023: Roadz (Booth 1134) Presented by Amit Jain, Co-Founder & COO Roadz presented a product that democratizes the ability for fleets to discover and buy curated fleet management solutions at discounted prices. Their product also includes pre-integrated data and unified dashboards for fleet professionals. Southgate Lease Services (Booth 1366) Presented by Nick Miota, President & Holly Miota, Account Executive Southgate Lease Services presented its plans to assist larger fleet management companies with their small fleet customers who have 30 or fewer vehicle fleets. Derive Systems (Booth 1465) Presented by Heather Lamm, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer & Craig Montgomery, Chief Revenue Officer As a result of the Derive VQ technology, Derive Systems has introduced VQ Insight. This powerful new tool allows clients to see their vehicles' fuel savings and emission reductions in real-time. Teletrac Navman (Booth 1350) Presented by Doug Haebig, Sr. Product Manager, Transportation Teletrac Navman presented the launch of two new suites: The TN360 Compliance Suite with enhanced US-ELD, Canadian ELD, and iDVIR, and the TN360 Safety Suite with a new AI-powered IQ Camera. Both take a proactive approach to fleet management. Cruise Car by ICON (Booth 1700) Presented by Adam Sulimirski, Managing Partner Cruise Car by ICON announced its new line of lithium-powered heavy duty commercial carts, adding over 500,000 sq ft of additional assembly space in six plants nationwide. Its support network has expanded with hundreds of techs and a multimillion-dollar investment in parts for fleet support. Cruise Car by ICON will now deliver over 4,000 light utility carts monthly to thousands of municipalities, federal agencies, universities and nonprofits in over 30 countries. Shell Fleet Solutions (Booth 1067) Presented by Jim Perkins, Director of Fleet Solutions U.S.A., Shell Shell Fleet Solution announced the U.S. launch of Accelerate to Zero, a fleet sustainability management program. This program aims to help fleet and mobility managers better understand and reduce their carbon footprint and on-road emissions to net-zero by evaluating their options and developing a plan for decarbonization. Reviver (Booth 1461) Presented by CJ Meurell, EVP of Sales & Alex Dimitrijevic, National Fleet Director Reviver, creators of the groundbreaking, first-ever digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, announced the addition of RToll, an online tolling service, offering coverage on 98% of U.S. tollways with electronic toll collection services for commercial fleets. Cipia (Booth 1457) Presented by Israel Ronn, VP Aftermarket Business Cipia announced its new Cipia-FS10 Video Telematics Device that offers a forward facing dash cam and hybrid communication mode for improved fleet safety and efficiency. The new camera is an addition to Cipia-FS10's video telematics and driver monitoring system. Mullen Automotive (Booth 1083) Presented by John Schwegman, Chief Commercial Officer Mullen Automotive announced the launch of its Class 3 electric vehicles (EVs) this summer. These EVs will be more efficient and profitable for businesses with connected and customized solutions. ServiceUp (Booth 1378) Presented by Brett Dashe, Head of Revenue & Co-Founder ServiceUp announced ServiceUp for Fleets, an innovative product that adapts their award-winning consumer-based maintenance and repair platform to meet fleet managers, FMCs, drivers and repair centers' unique needs. Utilimarc (Booth 1257) Presented by Engin Ayaz, Account Executive Utilimarc is enhancing its business intelligence platform to include annual and real-time greenhouse gas reporting capabilities. About NAFA NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Colleen Gallagher +1 315-447-2331 cgallagher@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 17, 2023 04:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

OPT deployment of next-generation Wave Energy Converter Buoys opens new chapter for customers

Ocean Power Technologies Inc

Ocean Power Technologies Inc (OPT) CEO Philipp Stratmann joins Natalie Stoberman from the Proactive newsroom to share how the latest deployment of next-generation Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Buoys is opening a new chapter for the company for elevated technology and cost-effectiveness for customers. Stratmann says this prototype represents a significant improvement in multiple aspects. The innovative design enables modularity and commonality for the next-generation buoy platform, making it more efficient in terms of transportation, serviceability, and maintainability. Additionally, the MOSWEC buoy will be more cost-effective for customers. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

April 17, 2023 02:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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VinFast VF 8 customers now may be eligible for up to a $7,500 California EV rebate

Vingroup

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Media OutReach - 17 April 2023 - VinFast, the world’s first automaker to completely transition from an internal combustion past to an all-electric vehicle future, today announced the VF 8 eSUV has been approved for eligibility in the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The addition of the VF 8 to the CVRP list of eligible vehicles means VinFast customers in California who buy or lease a new VF 8 will be able to apply for a CVRP rebate of $2,000 to $7,500. The CVRP applies to all VF 8s sold or leased in California, retroactively from March of this year. Eligible customers in California can apply for the rebate via the CVRP website. Receiving CARB eligibility approval of the VF 8 allows the model to qualify for inclusion in several other state incentive programs administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy including: Oregon, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. In addition, the VF 8 and VF 9 have also been officially added to the list of vehicles eligible for California’s Clean Air Vehicle Decal Program which grants free HOV lane access for zero-emission vehicles. Ms. Van Anh Nguyen, CEO of VinFast North America said, “State incentives like the CVRP help VinFast enhance its competitiveness in the key North American market. The incentives also help motivate customers to quickly transition to electric vehicles. I believe that, with VinFast's product quality, competitive sales policies and state incentive programs, VinFast electric vehicles will become a popular choice, further accelerating the movement to smart and green mobility.” Administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy on behalf of CARB, the CVRP promotes equitable clean vehicle adoption in California by offering eligible customers rebates from $2,000 to $7,500 toward the purchase or lease of new zero-emission vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. According to CVRP data, California is currently the leading state in electric vehicle adoption nationwide with more plugin electric vehicles on its roads than any other state. VinFast’s second EV batch exported to North America, including 1,879 VF 8 standard models, left MPC Port (Hai Phong, Vietnam) on April 16. It is expected to arrive at Benicia Port, California in May. The shipment includes 1,098 VF 8s for the U.S. market that are also eligible for CVRP for California customers. VinFast customers purchasing or leasing a new VF 8 can apply and learn about the individual eligibility requirements for the CVRP rebate at https://cleanvehiclerebate.org For more information on VinFast, please visit https://vinfastauto.us About VinFast VinFast – a member of Vingroup – envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam. VinFast established a United States headquarters in Los Angeles, CA, opened several showrooms and service centers in California, and is developing a site in North Carolina for domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles. Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.us VinFast Safe Harbor Disclosure This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include VinFast’s expectations. Forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” and similar terms. While these forward-looking statements represent VinFast’s current judgment on what the future holds, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the automotive industry, competition in certain markets, the volatility of battery prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. VinFast undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause VinFast’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect VinFast’s future results. Contact Details Media Contact v.chidqd1@vingroup.net Company Website https://vinfastauto.us

April 17, 2023 12:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAFA Names the 2023 100 Best Fleets in the Americas at its Annual I&E Convention

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today announced the 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for 2023. NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets in the Americas program recognizes peak-performing public and commercial fleet operations, and the winners were announced this morning during NAFA’s annual Institute & Expo (I&E) in Baltimore. The 100 Best program identifies and encourages the ever-increasing levels of performance improvement and innovation within the fleet industry. The goal of the 100 Best contest is to foster pride in the industry, build recognition within the national fleet community, increase levels of productivity and operational effectiveness and to encourage more individuals to consider fleet operations as a career choice. The contest was originally created by the late Tom Johnson, and NAFA will be holding a fundraiser for ALS in Tom’s name at the NAFA booth during I&E. “Announcing the 100 Best Fleets is always an exciting time for the NAFA community,” says Mike Camnetar, CAFM, NAFA Board President. “The fleet industry is experiencing a lot of change and innovation right now, and we are proud of how these fleets are leading and representing our industry. We look forward to seeing all they accomplish in 2023.” This year, the contest was open to commercial fleets and saw the addition of two new sub-competitions: The Fleet Professional of the Year Award, which recognizes the top fleet professional of the year, and the The Fleet Technician of the Year Award, which honors the top fleet technician of the year. The 2023 winners for each of the following categories: Best Public Fleet: Hillsborough County, FL Fleet Management Best Commercial Fleet: Spire Energy Inc. Fleet Professional of the Year Award: Robert Stine, Director of Fleet Management Department, Hillsborough County, FL Fleet Management Fleet Technician of the Year Award: Alex Gonzalez of Hillsborough County, FL The full list of the 2023 100 Best Fleets in the Americas can be found here https://www.nafa.org/100-best-fleets-2023/. NAFA is excited to host a 100 Best Webinar Series and Regional Roundtable events throughout 2023. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the 100 Best fleet winners and leaders, discover the top five success trends for 2023 and understand what actions these top fleets have taken to become a 100 Best fleet. Attendees will walk away with initiatives and action steps they can immediately implement within their fleet. To register for this webinar series, visit: https://www.nafa.org/events/100-best-fleets-webinars/ To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/ NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Colleen Gallagher +1 315-447-2331 cgallagher@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 17, 2023 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

VinFast exports next batch of 1,879 VF 8 vehicles to North America

Vingroup

HAI PHONG, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 17 April 2023 – VinFast announced the shipment of the second batch of 1,879 VF 8 vehicles to the US and Canada. The vehicles are expected to be delivered to US customers in May and to Canadian customers in June. The Silver Queen departed from the MPC Port in Haiphong, Vietnam for North America. The ship is expected to arrive at the Port of Benicia in California after more than 20 days at sea. Upon arrival, VinFast will hand over 1,098 VF 8 vehicles to the US market and will continue the journey with the remaining 781 vehicles to Canada afterwards. This is the second exported EV batch of VinFast, and the first exported VF 8 standard batch to the international market. The VF 8 standard comes in two trim levels - the Eco and the Plus, which offer a higher estimated range* than the existing “City Edition” that VinFast delivered to US customers in March of this year. The VF 8 Eco is equipped with a 260 kW maximum power electric motor reaching a maximum torque of 500Nm. At the same time, the Plus trim comes with a maximum power of 300 kW and maximum torque of 620Nm. The VF 8 Standard is also equipped with the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), providing a wide range of features that will be enhanced and updated regularly with technologies such as highway assist, auto lane changing assist, fully-automated parking assistance, smart summon mode, remote parking and more. Smart Services are integrated with immersive features such as virtual assistant and remote control via the VinFast app. In addition, convenience features such as online shopping along with in-car home and office services, etc. will provide an immersive experience to consumers. After completing imported procedures and required licenses and certificates, VinFast expects to hand over these VF 8 standards to the US customers in May and Canadian customers in June. For the European markets, the first exported batch is expected to commence in mid-July 2023 with 700 VF 8 vehicles. In the past year, VinFast has continued to expand its global business network opening more than 30 retail stores and service centers in the US, Canada, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, to serve consumers in these key markets. In Vietnam, VinFast officially delivered the first VF 9 all-electric SUVs to customers in March 2023 and expects to deliver the new subcompact VF 5 Plus models in April 2023. On a global scale, VinFast will soon open reservations for VF 6 and VF 7 and deliver VF 9 vehicles to customers who have made reservations. * The official EPA ranges will be announced when available. About VinFast VinFast - a member of Vingroup – envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com VinFast Safe Harbor Disclosure This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include VinFast’s expectations. Forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” and similar terms. While these forward-looking statements represent VinFast’s current judgment on what the future holds, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the automotive industry, competition in certain markets, the volatility of battery prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. VinFast undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause VinFast’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect VinFast’s future results. Contact Details VinFast Media Contact v.chidqd1@vingroup.net Company Website https://vinfastauto.com

April 16, 2023 09:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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GSM officially launches Vietnam’s first pure electric taxi firm

Vingroup

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach - 14 April 2023 - Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) officially begins operating the first pure electric taxi service in Vietnam - Green SM Taxi. The event ushered in a new era of taxis: smart, pollutant and noise-free, and environmentally friendly. Green SM Taxi is set to launch on the roads of Hanoi, followed by a nationwide expansion to at least five provinces and cities this year, in line with the company's strategic plan. As of April 14, 2023, customers can easily book Green SM taxi services via the nationwide hotline, 1900 2088, just like traditional taxi services, or through the Green SM Taxi application, available on App Store and Google Play. Riders can also hail cars at all Vincom shopping malls, public spaces around the city, or on the roads. In May 2023, Green SM Taxi can be booked through BeVinFast service on the Be application. In addition to convenient and diverse access, Green SM Taxi provides customers with two service options: GreenCar – a standard taxi service, and LuxuryCar – a premium taxi experience. GreenCar will roll out with the VinFast VF e34 in the company’s signature Cyan blue color, while LuxuryCar will use the VinFast VF 8 in their original luxurious colors. Initially, SM Green Taxi will start operation with 500 VF e34s and 100 VF 8s in Hanoi. Shortly, the company will add the VinFast VF 5 Plus model to the GreenCar fleet. According to actual customer demands, the company will increase the number of cars in both service segments. The starting price for the first 1 km of the GreenCar service is 20,000 VND. For the next 24 km, the fare for the VF 5 Plus is 14,000 VND/km, and the VF e34 is 15,500 VND/km. From the 26th km onwards, the fare will be 12,000 VND/km for the VF 5 Plus and 12,500 VND/km for the VF e34. The price for LuxuryCar service is fixed at 21,000 VND/km for the entire journey. Speaking at the Green SM Taxi’s opening ceremony in Hanoi, Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen - Vice President of the Hanoi People's Committee, shared: “Electric taxis are among the advanced solutions that bring tremendous benefits to the community and contribute to reducing air and noise pollution while saving energy and costs for users. The deployment of electric taxi services in Hanoi not only affirms the determination of the City and cooperation of business organizations, particularly the GSM company, in accelerating sustainable transport development; but also contributes to realizing Vietnam's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - CEO of GSM, shared: “GSM, in general, and Green SM Taxi, specifically, were established in response to the national climate objectives, which include efforts to reduce transportation emissions. Green SM Taxi offers a new standard of transportation service with outstanding quality, not just serving people but also connecting and forming a green and smart mobility ecosystem across Vietnam." Green SM Taxi is Vietnam's first pure electric taxi company, providing passenger transportation services entirely by VinFast electric vehicles. This generation of taxis is noiseless and emits no carbon, which benefits public health and the environment. The cars are also equipped with various intelligent entertainment features, providing passengers with enjoyable experiences on every journey. With a team of highly trained and professional drivers and dedicated service, Green SM Taxi is committed to bringing 5-star service quality to customers. Green SM Taxi will continue to be launched in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2023. For more information about the Green SM Taxi, customers can visit https://www.taxixanhsm.vn/ or download the Green SM Taxi application at: https://taxisinhsm.page.link /newsletter Contact Details Media Contact v.chidqd1@vingroup.net Company Website https://www.taxixanhsm.vn/

April 14, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Kane Robotics Launches Smart Cobot Solution for Sanding, Grinding, Finishing in Aerospace Manufacturing

Kane Robotics

Kane Robotics today announced the launch of its first collaborative robot (cobot) solution, the GRIT TM cobot. Developed by aeronautics and composite experts, GRIT dramatically improves productivity, reduces health risks, and solves labor shortages for aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies. The first cobot solution innovated for composites sanding, Kane’s GRIT TM cobot works alongside humans to perform labor-intensive sanding, grinding and polishing for materials removal within any size and type of manufacturer. Unlike traditional industrial automation, GRIT solutions are reconfigurable for different tasks. With three sizes, the cobots can accommodate a wide variety of jobs. They are accessible even for smaller manufacturers; a GRIT system requires an average investment of just $100,000, with customers reporting a 100% return on investment after six months. “Aerospace and defense manufacturers require extremely precise sanding, grinding, polishing and finishing work to ensure parts meet regulatory requirements and achieve top performance,” says Kane Robotics COO Alan Hiken, a composites expert with a 30-year career in aerospace engineering. “GRIT cobot solutions provide the highest-quality work and help save teams from injuries and illness by filling repetitive, labor-intensive jobs.” The GRIT helps aerospace manufacturers complete jobs such as: Sanding primer from interior aircraft components Polishing fighter jet canopies after thermoforming to remove orange peel and achieve optical clarity Removing coating and sanding surfaces for paint preparation or repairs on helicopter main rotor blades. GRIT is the second generation of Kane’s collaborative robotic solutions. Manufacturers in aerospace, defense and other industries recognized impressive results from the first generation, including: Exponentially increased productivity. A 12-hour sanding job can turn into 3.5 hours when done by a GRIT cobot. Moreover, cobot sanding is precise and uniform, minimizing the need for further detail work before starting second-phase operations. Reduced health risks. Kane’s GRIT cobot reduces repetitive injuries to wrists, elbows and shoulders and respiratory and ocular illness caused by airborne particles. Companies report significant savings in healthcare costs. Filling job vacancies. U.S. manufacturers have difficulty attracting new workers, especially for taxing work like sanding. GRIT cobots can help fill those roles and lessen the need to replace retiring workers as the manufacturing workforce ages. A GRIT cobot can free veteran workers to do what they do best – operations that require higher-order reasoning and decision-making. GRIT solutions are designed for ease of use and require no specialized expertise to install, operate, or program. The practical system is compact and mobile and plugs into 110V electrical outlets. It can be operated by staff technicians and be up and running in almost any manufacturing facility within hours or days rather than months or years. Because GRIT solutions are quick to set up and operationalize, they realize near-immediate ROI. “With GRIT, manufacturing teams can simultaneously improve their productivity and solve safety and labor shortage challenges,” says Kane CEO John Spruce. See a live demonstration of Kane Robotics’ GRIT cobot at booth #4806 at the MRO Americas Aviation Week exhibition, April 18-20, 2023. Contact Kane for more information at https://kanerobotics.com/contact/. About Kane Robotics Since its founding in 2019, Kane Robotics has collaborated with manufacturers in aerospace, defense and other industries to simplify material removal processes through automation, creating the first collaborative robot (cobot) built specifically for composites sanding. Kane’s reconfigurable and easy-to-operate cobots work alongside humans to perform safe and precise sanding, grinding and finishing. The compact, mobile and affordable cobot solutions are accessible to all sizes and types of manufacturers and offer a pragmatic way to dramatically increase productivity, improve safety and fill job vacancies for dangerous, repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. With extensive experience in aerospace and defense, Kane’s industry experts are considered some of the top minds in the world for automation in sanding and composites. Learn more about Kane’s cobot solutions at https://kanerobotics.com/. Contact Details Center Reach Communications Leigh Villegas +1 229-220-9660 leigh@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website https://kanerobotics.com/

April 13, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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