KALAMAZOO, MI - Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation will take a leadership role at the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) National Conference, Oct. 27 - 29, in Atlanta, further bolstering its position as one of the world's leading manufacturer of hybrid power systems for commercial vehicles.

During the conference, five Eaton experts will serve as panelists on key educational and technical sessions. Eaton's hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems will power half of the 30 vehicles in the hybrid ride-and-drive, which organizers bill as  the South's largest ever hybrid truck convoy and demonstration.

"HTUF has been instrumental in nurturing the hybrid commercial vehicle market, and we are proud to proud to showcase the hybrid technology that is winning acclaim from our customers' worldwide." said Dimitri Kazarinoff, vice president and general manager, Eaton Hybrid Power Systems Division.

Eaton panelists include:

• Christopher Hess, manager - public affairs, who will join the panel discussion on Hybrid Funding and Incentives;

• Hélène Cornils, program management and business development, who will join the panel on Advancements in Plug-in Technology for Trucks:

• William Batten, director - government accounts, who will join the panel discussion on Opportunities and Barriers on Hybridizing the Military:

• Dr. Rudy Smaling, chief engineer - system architecture, who will join the panel discussion on Requirements and Characteristics of Energy Storage for Heavy-Duty Vehicles;

• Ben Hoxie, chief engineer - Hydraulic Hybrids, who will join the panel discussion on Hydraulic Hybrid vehicles.

Eaton is the world's only manufacturer to offer a full range of hybrid systems for commercial vehicle applications. Eaton hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and two hybrid hydraulic power systems are available on truck models from International, Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner and have accumulated more than 20 million miles of road-tested service around the world.

Companies such as FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises, PepsiCo and Wal-Mart are using delivery vehicles with the Eaton system. Work trucks with Eaton hybrid power are also in service at Florida Power and Light and many utility and telecom companies across North America. Benefits of the existing Eaton hybrid systems include fuel savings up to 35 percent, with similar percentages in emission reductions, extended brake life and idle time reductions of up to 87 percent during work site operations.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel savings and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.  For more information, visit www.eaton.com.