Motor Development International
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive engineering, Energy storage |
| Founder | Guy Nègre |
| Headquarters | Carros , France |
Area served | France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, India |
Key people | Cyril Nègre (former CEO) |
| Products | Compressed air engines and mobility solutions |
Motor Development International SA (MDI) is a Franco-Luxembourgish enterprise specializing in the design of mobility solutions and energy storage systems that utilize a compressed air engine.
Development history
Established by Guy Nègre, MDI operates its administrative and manufacturing facilities in Carros, France. The firm engineered an environmentally friendly engine powered by compressed air intended to propel vehicles.
Company history
2009-2011: MDI entered into manufacturing and distribution agreements with firms across France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, New Zealand, Israel, and South Africa. Zero Pollution Motors sought to manufacture MDI vehicles within the United States. MDI Andina S.A focused on markets including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. In Switzerland, CATECAR S.A planned to assemble MDI automobiles but ceased operations due to legal complications and MDI’s inability to supply essential technology; consequently, CATECAR redirected its efforts toward electric vehicle development.
A collaboration with Tata Motors led to the production and marketing of OneCAT vehicles in India. By May 2012, Tata had completed the initial proof-of-concept stage and advanced into the second phase for comprehensive development of the compressed air engine for diverse applications.
2012: Following rigorous evaluations, MDI engines were incorporated into Tata's vehicles, with the air-powered "MiniCat" announced for launch in India by the end of 2012. Nevertheless, CEO Cyril Nègre later stated that Tata would manufacture their own cars equipped with MDI engines rather than producing vehicles under the MDI brand.
2016: On June 24, founder Guy Nègre passed away. That year, MDI was shortlisted for the United Nations' Powering The Future We Want grant but ultimately lost to SINTEF.
2017: Dr. Tim Leverton from Tata confirmed completion of phase one and ongoing efforts toward industrialization, aiming to make vehicles available by 2020. Reports indicated Tata was considering reintroducing compressed air variants of the Tata Nano, connected to their partnership with MDI.
2020: No evidence emerged of Tata AirCar production.
2023: Tata removed all mentions of the AirCar from its official website.