In the prehistoric times of the early 1990′s, Joseph Anderson (now the company founder), discovered breakthrough technology to enhance industrial engines. However, it was many years later that Joe came across the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE 100 MPG competition and decided to apply this breakthrough technology in the consumer automotive world.
In 2008, Combined Technology Solutions was created (see blog “What’s in a name?”). In that same year, Joe entered the start-up business into the $10 million dollar prize purse 100 MPG competition. This competition entry not only follows along with Joe’s competitive streak (I’m sure being a professional drag racer for 20 years has nothing to do with it), it is also a great project for CTS to launch our breakthrough technology into the market.
After submitting our entry into the X PRIZE competition, we have had several milestones in 2009 and 2010:
-CTS moved locations to to the small town of Ridgely on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with the help of Caroline County–thank you! One great thing about this area is that there is an abundant amount of strawberries yumm(look it up), and there is a lot of room out here to roam…
-We have also made it through the X PRIZE qualifications and are now the only team in the entire state of Maryland that was accepted to continue in the competition. From the first qualifying rounds, we are now 1 of 22 teams left in the Mainstream Class (four-passenger vehicles) who will continue on into the stage races
-Developed our technology and engineered our competition vehicle as a heavy, luxury, gasoline-powered Cadillac CTS with a 1.3 litre engine (Yes, we are!)
Currently, the CTS X PRIZE team is working hard at the shop to be ready for the start of the competition races in May (and to meet a deadline coming up next week!). We all feel blessed and excited to be a part of something truly unique and beneficial to our society, economy, … and needless to say, the world. The problems we face today should have had solutions yesterday. Since this is not the case, the X PRIZE Foundation and all of the courageous competitors are stepping up to this amazing task.
On your mark! Get set! Go!
