JULY 20, 2006CCAR Asks For FeedbackOVERLAND PARK, KS - The National Environmental Compliance Assistance Center for Auto Repair (CCAR-Greenlink) is asking readers to rate its current online features and suggest improvements. Through July 31, survey participants also may enter their names for a drawing that will award prizes provided by CARQUEST Auto Parts. The survey is available at www.ccar-greenlink.org. Operated by the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the site provides information on environmental compliance and pollution prevention information for the automotive industry. Upon completion of the survey, participants may register for a drawing that will award prizes donated by CARQUEST Auto Parts. The grand prize is a $250 CARQUEST gift certificate, and three runners-up will receive $100 certificates. Established in 1994, the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and its more than 200 affiliates represent all segments of the automotive industry. For more information on the CCAR-GreenLink Environmental Compliance Assistance Center, call toll-free to 1-888-476-5465 or e-mail [email protected]. (Source: CCAR)OR Adopts CA Emissions Rules PORTLAND, OR (July 2, 2006) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Environmental Quality Commission approved the adoption of California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards, including mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Ten states have now adopted California's LEV standards: Oregon, Washington, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They, as well as Illinois, New Mexico and the District of Columbia, have also asked the Supreme Court to rule in favor of an appeal filed last week that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulated CO2 emissions from automobiles and industry. The 1990 federal Clean Air Act (CAA) allows individual states to opt either for federal emission standards or adopt the emissions standards developed by California. The CAA also mandates that states adopting California emissions standards do so identically, thereby preventing the automakers from having to produce a "third vehicle" to meet a new standard. California's LEV rules essentially cover two areas: * The reduction of traditional criteria pollutants such as NOx, particulate matter and non-methane organic gases. * The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2, via a series of more restrictive emission limits from 2009 through 2016. The new rules for Oregon will take effect with the 2009 model-year, as they will in the other states. In addition, Oregon's adoption of California's LEV rules confirms Washington State's implementation of the rules; Washington had adopted the California rules at an earlier date, but they were subject to Oregon adopting them as well.Click here for more information on the Oregon decision.(Source: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality)New Miata Features
Power Retractable Hard Top
Mazda MX-5 Miata with Power Retractable Hard Top
(Photo: Ford Motor Co.)IRVINE , CA (July 5, 2006) - Mazda Motor Corp. will make the global debut of the Mazda MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top at the 2006 British International Motor Show in London from July 18 to 30, 2006. While the MX-5 Miata has always been available with an optional removable hardtop, this is the first time the car will be available with a power-operated retractable hard top. In addition to featuring the unique power retractable hard top roof, the revamped MX-5 provides a unified sense of driving exhilaration, says Mazda, ready to spread the fun of lightweight sports cars in diverse and distinct new ways, regardless of the weather. The automaker describes the essence of this ride as "Jinba Ittai," or "rider and horse as one" - the phrase reflecting the emotional connection between horse and rider, or in this case, car and driver.(Source: Ford)Walking The Tightrope: Remanufactured or Rebuilt? DETROIT, MI (June 27, 2006) - Going low-cost with rebuilt components now may save money today, but the risks of call-backs, customer vehicles breaking down in an less than convenient location later or the erosion of customer-business relationships may be the ultimate price one pays. Detroit Diesel Corp., a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler and a remanufacturer of engines and components to the North American market, has reiterated its commitment to helping customers understand the significant difference between genuine and non-genuine parts. The company recently launched a new educational campaign, "The Real Deal," that focuses on training service network personnel about the value and reliability of genuine remanufactured parts, components and engines. According to company spokesperson Jim Morrow, the most significant reason to turn to remanufacturing, rather than rebuilt products, is the higher level of product quality. "There is a tremendous difference between rebuilt and remanufactured," Morrow said. "Remanufacturing begins with only the best quality cores. After the core is completely disassembled, the subsystems and components are cleaned, tested, repaired or replaced." Only after this is done is each component remanufactured to current blueprint specifications and tested again, prior to being covered under a warranty. For any consumer, service professional and component supplier or manufacturer, the case for remanufacturing is an ongoing debate, and current and future costs; quality, dependability and business reputation drive the decisions.(Source: Detroit Diesel
Corp.)Bill Intends to Make
Biofuel Incentives Permanent WASHINGTON (July 6, 2006) - Congressmen Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) have introduced the Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act (H.R. 5650), which would make the federal excise tax credit for ethanol and biodiesel permanent. The bill seeks to remove sunset provisions for tax credits that were set on Jan. 1, 2005 and expire in 2008. "Renewable fuels are a critical component to our nation becoming more energy independent." says Pomeroy. "By making the tax credits for biodiesel and ethanol permanent, we are providing the stability these emerging industries need to grow. " H.R. 5650 has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further study. The House bill deals with the same subject matter as a bill already before the Senate (S. 2401), sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.(Source: Library of
Congress)Convergence 2006 Showcases Climate Control Solutions For the Future VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, MI (July 5, 2006) - Visteon Corp. demonstrated its latest climate control solution in two test vehicles at last week's Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) event, Convergence 2006: Automotive Alternate Refrigerant Systems Symposium. The SAE symposium brought together industry engineers to focus on mobile heating and cooling technologies. Attendees learned about effective refrigerant system control strategy, as well as updates on SAE standards covering system design, service equipment and technician service procedures for mobile air conditioning systems. Visteon showcased two alternative refrigerant technologies - one using the refrigerant R744 and the other featuring the alternative low global warming potential refrigerant "Fluid H." The Fluid H vehicle was developed by Visteon and its affiliate Halla Climate Control, in close relationship with Hyundai. A R744 system uses carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigerant instead of the R-134a refrigerant found in today's systems. R744 systems run at higher pressures but are more efficient under most conditions, says Visteon. The system can achieve up to a 20 percent reduction of incremental fuel consumption for air conditioner operation and provides a potential solution to meet upcoming European and worldwide legislation on greenhouse gases. H-Fluid refrigerant, which was recently introduced at a meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan by its creator Honeywell, is an azeotropic blend - which enables it to retain its properties whether in a liquid or vapor state, even in the presence of system leakage. Its performance is comparable to R-134a, and it would be able to use existing system technology; in contrast, R744 systems would require sturdier equipment. From a global warming perspective, H-Fluid refrigerant holds an advantage over R-134a. The shorter the atmospheric life of a product, the less impact on global warming there is. The two principle chemical components in H-Fluid are trifluoromethyl-iodide and tetrafluoropropene (similar in atomic structure to R-134a), which have an atmospheric life of four and twelve days respectively. By comparison, R-134a's atmospheric life is 14 years. H-Fluid is currently undergoing testing for long-term toxicity and other criteria, and it is expected to be introduced in 2007, if all goes well. "Visteon is recognized as a leader in R744 development, and we continue to investigate further solutions for potential advance refrigerants," explained Joy Greenway, vice president of Visteon's climate group. "Our objective is to deliver the most efficient and reliable solution to meet current and future environmental legislation regarding automotive refrigerants." Editor's note: For more information on emerging technologies in mobile HVAC systems, see our news story,
"European A/C Summit Zeroes In On CO2 Systems."(Source: Visteon
Corp., Honeywell)New Air Pump Technology Meets SULEV Emissions Standards AUBURN HILLS, MI (July 6, 2006) - BorgWarner Inc. is developing new high-flow air pump technology designed to address its global customers' needs to meet increasingly stringent industry standards for emissions and fuel economy. The new high-flow air pump technology enables the replacement of dual-pump systems with a single, submersible, high-flow pump, called 1000-T3. The benefits include reductions in cost, space and weight, as well as enhanced energy conversion efficiency. The latter enables the pump to convert electric power into more flow and pressure. The pump also provides flexibility in engine and catalyst packaging, says BorgWarner. "Opportunities for product leadership in air management systems continue to increase, as stricter emissions regulations are adopted in North America, Europe and Asia, and engines are redesigned for improved fuel consumption to meet these higher standards," said Roger Wood, president and general manager, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems.(Source: BorgWarner
Inc.)
