CMC Magnetics on November 4 unveiled Thru Bus, an electrical amphibious vehicle developed by affiliates of the CMC Group, which will target the China market, according to company chairman Robert Wong.

Thru Bus is powered by Ni-Zn (nickel-zinc) batteries and is equipped with an amorphous silicon thin-film PV panel on the top produced by CMC's subsidiary Sun Well Technology, Wong indicated. The car will be used for sight-seeing along rivers in Taipei during the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, Wong said. Thru Bus is to sell at about NT$4 million (US$130,000) for an estimated gross margin of 20-30%, Wong noted.

While Ni-Zn batteries generate less power than Li batteries, they carry lower risk of explosion, Wong indicated.

While auto makers in the US and Europe have inquired about Thru Bus, CMC will focus on the China market because the China government will boost development of green-energy cars in its 12th 5-year Development Plan, Wong explained. Viewing that the China government has offered subsidies of 500,000-600,000 yuan (US$75,100-90,100) for electrical automobiles over 10 meters in length, CMC will develop large customized sight-seeing Thru Buses to tap the China market and has talked with local governments in China for business, Wong pointed out.