One of the event's highlights was the "Ride & Drive", hosted by the National Hydrogen Association and organized by the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Twelve vehicles were available for test-rides, including a new version of Honda's FCX, the Toyota FCHV, DaimlerChrysler's F-Cell, the GM HydroGen3, and a Pick-Up converted to hydrogen combustion by ETEC. Due to the great interest, standing in line for a spin in one of these cars could hardly be avoided. The concept of converting conventional vehicle engines to hydrogen fuel was also presented in the expo hall. There, a highway patrol car from Hydrogen Labs and Quantum's Prius-based hybrid with a fuel cell and an H2 internal combustion engine stood out. BMW, whose presentation was regarded as the most attractive booth by many, among other things playfully visualized the compression of the clean fuel for the combustion engine of the new H2-7series.

Compressor, valve and sensor technologies comprise another growing segment of Hydrogen Expo US. "This demonstrates how the expo grows with the market", says Ines Freesen, Managing Director of expo organizer Freesen & Partner GmbH. "For a number of exhibitors the event has helped to pave their way into market." Pdc Machines for example, a manufacturer of diaphragm compressors for various uses of hydrogen, was able to generate some US$ 5 million in new business from Hydrogen Expo US since 2003.

Exhibitor General Physics (GP) was enthusiastic about their participation, too: "Hydrogen Expo US was a great success for us", commented Mary Cyr, responsible for GP's booth. "We were able to make many new contacts and network with new and existing clients." - "Not only the big players such as Air Prooducts, Linde, Ballard, Hydrogenics or UTC benefit from the expo", concludes Ines Freesen. "Smaller suppliers have also been successful in strengthening their foothold in this growth sector, which currently offers the best potential in the United States."

The next NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo US 2007 will be held in San Antonio, Texas. The expo is open on March 18-20, the conference takes place from March 18-22. Around 60% of the exhibit space for this event is already gone. Companies interested in having a presence should contact the organizer as soon as possible at tel. +49-2802-948484-0, or in the US & Canada at tel. 207-236-6196, Email: info@hydrogenexpo.com