TROY – Automation Alley announced Friday that ElectroJet, an Automation Alley member company, has formalized a partnership agreement with Magneti Marelli to produce and market an engine control system that can be fitted on two and three-wheel vehicles.

ElectroJet, based in Brighton, began working with Automation Alley in 2006. The company was the recipient of $250,000 in seed funding, which was used to design and manufacture an eco-friendly fuel injection device that significantly reduces emissions for small engines. Through Automation Alley’s business accelerator services, ElectroJet also received business plan assistance, mentoring and referrals.

In addition, Kyle Schwulst, CEO of ElectroJet, participated in Automation Alley’s 2006 trade mission to China. While there, he attended the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Gold Key meetings and met with several potential suppliers and partners. As a result of participating in the trade mission, ElectroJet’s products have been introduced to foreign markets and eight additional workers have been hired.

“We’re so proud of the work that Kyle and his team have accomplished,” said Ken Rogers, Automation Alley executive director. “ElectroJet is a perfect example of how the benefits and services Automation Alley offers can help a Southeast Michigan company grow and go global. With our assistance, ElectroJet has expanded internationally and discovered new markets.”

The agreement between ElectroJet and Magneti Marelli is specifically aimed at Asian markets (focus on China and India), where more than 30 million motorbikes are produced annually. By combining their respective technological know-how, ElectroJet and Magneti Marelli will launch 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 carburetor. As a result, this system requires little modification to small-sized engines typically used in Asian motorcycles, at the same time ensuring a roughly 15 percent savings in fuel economy and compliance with strict new emissions standards.

“The partnership with Magneti Marelli, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, is a game-changer for us,” said Kyle Schwulst, CEO of ElectroJet. “We were looking for an industry partner that could help scale our business, and Magneti Marelli has proved to be that ideal partner.”

Introducing the ElectroJet system on small-sized engines is functional in terms of the new regulations limiting the amount of pollutants emitted by two and three-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 carburetor to electronic injection.

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.

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