Auto News

DETROIT July 31, 2008; Jean Halliday writing for AdAge.com reported that Mark Kaline, the high-profile global media manager of Ford Motor Co., left the automaker this week, according to executives close to the matter.

Mr. Kaline is a casualty of Ford’s latest move, announced in June, to cut 15% of its white-collar staff by Aug. 1.

Mr. Kaline confirmed today that he had left the company. Ford, he said, “is under immense pressure and there are good people being let go.”

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LUTON - July 30, 2008: The wide variety of van specifications on offer from Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles, proved particularly appealing to Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions when recently replacing a fleet of 60 vehicles.

Johnson Controls, the leading provider of facility management services, required vehicles for use on a contract to maintain buildings and equipment at over 600 service stations across mainland Britain. This called for different types of van to suit widely differing operating needs. The company also wanted to give its 60 engineers working on the contract a direct say in the specification of the vehicle that each of them would drive.

The engineers’ choice was based on two models, the medium-sized Vivaro or the larger Movano. In the case of the Vivaro, Johnson Controls specified the Sportive models, of which there are as many as 39 options available on the Vivaro Panel Van and 34 different panel van variants. Standard Sportive features include air-conditioning, electrically operated windows and mirror adjustment, and a stereo radio/CD player.

In the case of the Movano, the engineers could choose short or long wheelbase and standard or high roof. The Movano offered a choice of three wheelbases – short, medium and long – and three roof heights. A crew cab option was also available.

They could also select engine power ratings in the Vivaro ranging from 66 kW/90 PS or 85 kW/115 PS from the 2.0 litre CDTi engine or the 2.5 litre CDTi, which delivers 107 kW/146 PS. The 2.5 litre was also available at this rating in the Movano along with two lower ratings, 73 kW/100 PS and 88 kW/120 PS.

Engineers based in urban areas and faced with stop-start traffic conditions could opt for Vauxhall’s Tecshift automatic transmission in lieu of the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

Load capacity was also a factor as the vans would carry a range of tools and equipment needed for different types of job. This could include items as large as scaffolding towers used for work on station canopies. Signage, fluorescent tubes, perspex panels and other bulky items might also need to be transported and, for larger jobs, a team of two or three engineers. The excellent carrying capacity of both models – and particularly the Movano at up to 13.9 cubic metres – allowed easy matching between the size of van and the operational needs.

”The new Vauxhall vans are proving to be popular with the engineers. They’re a good quality vehicle, easy and comfortable to drive, and with a high level of specification,” says Dr Richard Vowles, Customer Business Director at Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions. “The Vivaro Sportive model is highly regarded for its extra level of specification that includes air conditioning and our choice of the optional satellite navigation system for traffic information, is proving to be very beneficial.

“From Johnson Controls’ point of view, choosing Vauxhall gives us several advantages. These vehicles are based throughout the country and the availability of an extensive network of Vauxhall service centres means that servicing and repair support is always close at hand. It’s a few months now since the first entered service and we’re already finding them to be very reliable and fuel efficient.

”We’re also very pleased with the appearance of them. We opted for an attractive metallic silver and the quality of the two-coat factory paint finish is very good, leaving us only to apply our Johnson Controls logo. They certainly look very stylish and present a professional image when they’re on the road or on our customer’s forecourts.”

Company Known for Providing Sustainable Technology and Services Expands Commitment in Operations

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., July 31 — Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, today announced it has become a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX(R)), the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. In joining, Bosch has committed to achieve a six percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at its U.S. operations by 2010, from a baseline of the company’s average greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2000.

In addition to this initiative, Bosch has long been committed to developing energy-efficient products and technologies in the renewable and clean energy space. In 2007, more than 40 percent of the company’s R&D expenditure was directed at products that help to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Many appliances, systems, and components from Bosch contribute directly to protecting the environment and conserving resources by reducing the demand for energy, using renewable energies, avoiding energy waste, allowing the use of alternative fuels, and reducing emissions.

“Bosch is deeply committed to environmental stewardship and developing innovative, renewable energy technologies that save energy and reduce CO2 emissions,” said Peter Marks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bosch LLC. “By joining CCX and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, we are further demonstrating this commitment which is at the heart of Bosch’s core philosophy.”

“Bosch is a pioneer in the world of energy efficiency and sustainability — its CCX membership establishes it at the forefront of market-based climate change mitigation,” said Dr. Richard Sandor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CCX. “We are proud to welcome Bosch to CCX and look forward to their contribution to the evolution of this organization.”

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 272,000 associates generated sales of over 46 billion euros (over $63 billion) in fiscal 2007. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 300 subsidiary and regional companies in over 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spends more than three billion euros each year for research and development, and in 2006 applied for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.”

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs approximately 25,000 associates in more than 80 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2007. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com.

Chicago Climate Exchange is an Exchange whose objectives are to apply financial innovation and incentives to advance social, environmental and economic goals. CCX, which began trading in 2003, is the worlds first and North America’ only legally binding, rules-based greenhouse gas emissions allowance trading system, as well as the world’s only global system for emissions trading based on all six greenhouse gases. CCX members are leaders in greenhouse gas management and mitigation, including offset providers and offset aggregators, and located throughout the United States. CCX members derive from all sectors of the global economy, including the public sector, and emissions reductions being achieved through CCX by major utilities, corporations, cities, states and counties, are the only reductions in North America being achieved through a legally binding compliance regime, subject to independent third party verification provided by FINRA and price transparency. The founder, Chairman and CEO of CCX is economist and financial innovator Dr. Richard L. Sandor, who was named a Hero of the Planet by Time magazine in 2002 for his founding of CCX, and in 2007 as the “father of carbon trading.”

Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chicago Climate Exchange, is a CFTC designated contract market which offers standardized and cleared futures and options contracts on emission allowances and other environmental products. In 2005, CCX launched the European Climate Exchange (ECX), now the leading exchange operating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. Since 2006, both CCX and ECX have been owned by Climate Exchange plc, a publicly traded company listed on the AIM division of the London Stock Exchange (CLE.L).

Third generation technology improves comfort, handling, packing, weight and refinement

Paris, France - A new Active Stabiliser Bar System (ASBS) - that delivers better steering feel, improved vehicle dynamics, superior comfort and greater tuning capability compared with today’s technologies - is being developed by Delphi Corp. (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ). The system is the first to provide continuous across-centre control and is 60 percent lighter and around 65 percent more compact than the previous generation system, making it the world’s most advanced roll control technology.

Delphi was first to market with an Active Stabiliser Bar System in 1999 and has subsequently developed both linear and rotary systems for a range of applications. In 2005, Delphi’s second generation system was launched on the Range Rover Sport, contributing to its world-class combination of handling, comfort and off-road ability. The unique ball screw rotary actuator technology provides the highest angular articulation of any system currently in production and is also the most efficient, converting around 95 percent of pump energy into hydraulic pressure compared with around 65 - 85 percent for competitor systems.

“The new system keeps Delphi comfortably ahead of the competition,” comments development manager Olivier Raynauld. “Generation 3 ASBS provides best-in-class performance by any measure and has helped us win some very exciting development programmes across a range of vehicle types.”

A traditional stabiliser bar improves vehicle stability through corners by reducing roll angle and managing the tyre to road interface. High performance vehicles and heavy vehicles with a high centre of gravity typically require stiff, large diameter stabiliser bars but these will substantially reduce ride comfort and refinement and can also reduce traction in some conditions. Traditional stabiliser bars also restrict wheel travel, decreasing off-road performance for SUVs, and can create an effect known as ‘head toss’ that can be particularly uncomfortable in vehicles where the occupants are seated high.

Delphi’s ASBS technology splits the stabiliser bar in the middle, allowing a computer-controlled actuator to apply a variable level of torque to each end. When the vehicle is travelling in a straight line, the system effectively de-couples the stabiliser bars from the vehicle, substantially improving ride comfort and allowing up to 88 degrees of free stabiliser bar rotation for greater wheel articulation. In a corner, anti roll torque is instantly applied and can be optimised for any driving condition in just 20ms.

The key innovation that gives the third generation technology its additional dynamic and refinement benefits is a new hydraulic control system. Contemporary systems use a directional control valve to reverse the hydraulic pressure and hence the force applied to the roll bars. This gives poor steering feel around centre, with limited control authority when travelling in a straight line and can also generate significant noise.

Delphi’s patented continuous pressure control system solves these issues by eliminating the need to switch the direction in which pressure is applied and by maintaining a constant small on-centre pressure to improve steering feel and response. Switching noise is eliminated and two channel control allows component sharing front-to-rear and the integration of different control calibrations for comfort and sport modes. Because it is truly active (i.e., it can apply force to the suspension), the system can also be used to tune roll damping. The high efficiency of the system further reduces noise and allows a proven pump to be used with a small reservoir and low-cost, easily routed hoses.

“With Generation 3, we can tune the steering feel and dynamic behaviour via the roll control system and change the response as vehicle speed increases,” adds Raynauld. “For example, we can provide oversteer at low speeds to give sharp, agile handling in towns, with subtle levels of understeer at high speeds to increase safety and provide a feeling of sure-footed security for the driver.”

“No one else is offering on-centre pressure control,” continues Raynauld. “It’s a significant breakthrough that we are very proud of. Customers who have analysed the Delphi system tell us that it is clearly the best available.”

Other innovations throughout the system, including new techniques for attaching the roll bars to the actuators, substantially reduce size and mass and mean that Delphi is able to deliver the system at an extremely competitive price. Delphi expects to enter production with a linear actuator system in 2011 and with a rotary actuator system in 2012, both for European customers.

Delphi’s portfolio of ASBS technologies includes systems suitable for most classes of vehicle. The company also supplies a wide range of other chassis control technologies including electronic stability systems, variable damping control systems and antilock braking systems.

LIVONIA, Mich., July 31 — TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. , the global leader in active and passive safety systems, today reported second-quarter 2008 financial results with sales of $4.4 billion, an increase of 18.4 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The Company reported second quarter net earnings of $127 million or $1.24 per diluted share, which compares to net earnings of $97 million or $0.94 per diluted share in the prior year period.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010824/TRWLOGO )

During the second quarter of the previous year, the Company completed the final step of its 2007 debt recapitalization plan with the successful refinancing of its $2.5 billion credit facilities. The second quarter results of last year included $8 million of costs related to this refinancing. Excluding the refinancing costs in 2007, the Company earned $127 million or $1.24 per diluted share in the 2008 quarter compared to $105 million, or $1.02 per diluted share in the prior year. The current quarter benefited from a higher level of operating income, despite increased restructuring and asset impairment charges between the two periods, and also from a lower level of interest expense.

“Our second quarter and first half results have demonstrated the strength of TRW’s safety product portfolio, leading customer and geographical diversification and the Company’s intense cost reduction efforts,” said John Plant, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These strengths have allowed TRW to mitigate the increasingly challenging industry conditions, primarily in North America, and provide the basis for the continued advancement of the Company’s strategic and operational objectives.”

Mr. Plant added, “The transformation of TRW is not complete as we need to successfully react to the changing automotive landscape, while continuing to provide leading safety technologies, whose prospects we expect will be further enhanced by growth in emerging markets. We continue to explore strategies that will strengthen our competitiveness and help to achieve our goal of growing the Company profitably over the long term.”

Second Quarter 2008

The Company reported second-quarter 2008 sales of $4.4 billion, an increase of $692 million or 18.4 percent over the prior year period. The 2008 quarter benefited from the positive effect of foreign currency translation, higher customer vehicle production in Europe and China and continued growth of safety products in all markets, including above-trend sales of lower margin modules. These positive factors were partially offset by lower vehicle production levels at our major customers in North America and price reductions provided to customers.

Operating income for second-quarter 2008 was $224 million, which compares to $205 million in the prior year period. The year-to-year increase was driven by a number of factors, including savings generated from cost improvement and efficiency programs, including reductions in pension and other postretirement benefit related costs, higher product volumes, the net positive effect of an insurance recovery totaling $14 million received in the current quarter relating to a prior year business disruption at one of the Company’s manufacturing facilities, and the non-recurrence of certain one-off items that netted to an expense in the prior year. These positive factors were in part offset by price reductions provided to customers, higher commodity prices, a negative mix of products sold and a $13 million increase in restructuring and asset impairment expenses.

Net interest and securitization expense for the second quarter of 2008 totaled $44 million, which compares to $57 million in the prior year. The year-to-year decline can be attributed to the benefits derived from the Company’s 2007 debt recapitalization and lower interest rates between the two periods. As mentioned previously, the 2007 quarter also included debt retirement costs of $8 million.

Second-quarter 2008 tax expense was $56 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31 percent, which compares to $45 million or 30 percent in the prior year, excluding debt retirement expenses. The second-quarter 2008 tax rate is below the expected full year rate primarily due to the Company’s geographic earnings profile and other factors in the quarter.

The Company reported second-quarter 2008 net earnings of $127 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, which compares to $97 million or $0.94 per diluted share in the 2007 period. Net earnings in the 2007 quarter excluding previously mentioned debt retirement costs of $8 million were $105 million or $1.02 per diluted share.

Earnings before interest, securitization costs, loss on retirement of debt, taxes, depreciation and amortization (”EBITDA”) were $380 million in the second quarter, as compared to the prior year level of $344 million.

First Half 2008

The Company reported first-half 2008 sales of $8.6 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion or 17.3 percent compared to prior year sales of $7.3 billion. The 2008 period benefited primarily from the positive effect of foreign currency translation, higher product volumes related to new product growth, including above-trend sales of lower margin modules, and robust industry sales in overseas markets. These positives were partially offset by the continued decline in North American customer vehicle production and price reductions provided to customers.

Operating income for the first half of 2008 was $412 million, which is an 8.4 percent increase from the prior year result of $380 million. The year-to-year improvement was driven by a number of factors, including savings generated from cost improvement and efficiency programs, including reductions in pension and OPEB related costs, higher product volumes, the net positive effect of an insurance recovery received in 2008 relating to a prior year business disruption, and the non-recurrence of certain one-off items that netted to an expense in the prior year. These positives were partially offset by price reductions provided to customers, negative product mix, higher commodity prices and a higher level of restructuring and asset impairment expenses in 2008 compared to the prior year.

Net interest and securitization expense in the first-half 2008 period was $93 million, which represents a significant improvement from the prior year result of $121 million. The decline in interest expense resulted primarily from the Company’s debt recapitalization completed in the first half of 2007 and lower interest rates between the two periods. The 2007 period also included debt retirement costs of $155 million related to the debt recapitalization.

First-half 2008 tax expense was $103 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32 percent, which compares to $98 million or 37 percent excluding previously mentioned debt retirement expenses in the prior year.

The Company reported first-half 2008 net earnings of $221 million, or $2.16 per diluted share, which compares to $11 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the 2007 period. The comparison of net earnings, excluding the previously mentioned debt retirement costs from the prior year, were $221 million, or $2.16 per diluted share in 2008 as compared to $166 million or $1.62 per diluted share in 2007.

EBITDA was $717 million in the first half of 2008, which is a 9.8 percent increase from the prior year level of $653 million primarily due to the higher level of operating income in the current year.

Cash Flow and Capital Structure

Second quarter 2008 net cash provided by operations was $40 million, which compares to $290 million in the prior year. Cash flow in the 2007 period included proceeds of $127 million related to outstanding borrowings under the Company’s U.S. based Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (”Receivable Facility”). Absent these proceeds, the Company’s cash flow from operations in the 2007 quarter was $163 million. Second quarter 2008 capital expenditures were $120 million compared to $109 million in 2007.

For the six month period ended June 27, 2008, the Company had a net cash usage in operating activities of $75 million, which compares to net cash generated of $69 million in the prior year. Excluding proceeds related to outstanding borrowings under the Receivable Facility, cash flow from operations was a use of $58 million in the 2007 period. The year-to-year decline resulted primarily from higher working capital requirements, partly offset by higher operating income. First half capital expenditures were $217 million compared to $228 million in 2007.

As mentioned previously, the Company refinanced substantially all of its debt in 2007. The Company incurred debt retirement charges of approximately $155 million during the 2007 year-to-date period related to these transactions.

As of June 27, 2008, the Company had $3,122 million of debt and $453 million of cash and marketable securities, resulting in net debt (defined as debt less cash and marketable securities) of $2,669 million. Net debt is $324 million higher than the balance at the end of 2007.

2008 Outlook

The Company increased its full year outlook to reflect the strong second quarter outcome, partially offset by a lower outlook for the second half of 2008. Sales are now expected to be in the range of $16.4 to $16.8 billion (including third quarter sales of approximately $3.9 billion). Full year net earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $2.40 to $2.70.

This guidance range reflects pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of approximately $75 million (including approximately $25 million in the third quarter). The effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of approximately 38 to 42 percent. Lastly, the Company expects capital expenditures in 2008 to be approximately 3.5 percent of sales.

“In recent months, the outlook for the North American automotive industry has further deteriorated with the decline in overall production of light vehicles, the shift of production away from light trucks to passenger cars and severe commodity inflation being the primary pressures in this market,” said Mr. Plant. “Our updated 2008 outlook provided today reflects the weaker outlook for the North American market as well as our expectations for a softening production environment in Europe.” Mr. Plant added, “The pressures we are seeing for the second half of 2008 will undoubtedly continue into 2009.”

Second Quarter 2008 Conference Call

The Company will host its second-quarter conference call at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) today, Thursday, July 31, to discuss financial results and other related matters. To access the conference call, U.S. locations should dial (877) 852-7898, and locations outside the U.S. should dial (706) 634-1095.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and accessible for approximately one week. To access the replay, U.S. locations should dial (800) 642-1687, and locations outside the U.S. should dial (706) 645-9291. The replay code is 55410719. A live audio webcast and subsequent replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s website at www.trw.com/results .

Posted Jul 31st 2008 2:28PM by Jonathon Ramsey
Filed under: Etc., Tech, Commercial Trucks

Remember in the first Crocodile Dundee movie when he gets mugged in New York City and Sue says “He’s got a knife,” and Dundee says, “That’s not a knife, this is a knife,” and then he pulls out a beast-killing monstrosity of a blade? Well, that’s what the folks at Titan Tire are saying right now about every other — smaller — tire in the world.

Titan has made a 63-inch rubber behemoth for use on trucks in Canada’s oil sands. The stats on these rubber donuts is impressive: the 59/80R63 is the biggest production tire in the world, standing over fourteen feet tall and weighing 12,500 pounds with a load rating of 101 metric tons. It makes Titan a very appropriate name for the company, as we learned from another movie, Remember the Titans, that in Greek mythology the Titans were greater even than the gods. Now we can only hope this development will make the price of oil drop another ten dollars…

[Source: Titan via Gizmag]

Specter Werkes finally launched its customized C6 Corvette GTR which features the Specter Matrix II engine package for the LS3. With the new package the engine displacement is increased from 6.2 to 6.8 liters which allows it to produce 535 hp and 530 pound-feet of torque.

At the exterior the kit consists in a new front lip spoiler, new side sills, rear fascia, a new extractor good and carbon-fiber rear diffuser. In the rear the car is 4.5 inches wider than a standard Corvette C6 and features a center mounted stop lamp in order to increase the visibility of the vehicle.

Specter will also use 19 and 20 inch HRE 840R alloy wheels fitted with Michelin PS2 rubber, sized 275/35/19 in front and 335/30/20 in the rear. Price of the package: $34,995

NADAguides.com Announces Its Top Choices for 2008 Models

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 31 — Fuel efficiency has always been a chief concern for many car shoppers, but with today’s high gas prices, it’s become more important than ever. NADAguides.com recognizes that today’s car buyers are interested in vehicles that meet their size needs as well as ones that offer terrific gas mileage. Today, the company — a vehicle pricing and information website — released its list of the Most Fuel Efficient Cars, Pickup Trucks and SUVs for 2008.

“It’s easy to think of the diminutive Smart Fortwo or even the sub-compact Toyota Yaris as great choices for fuel efficiency,” says Tara Baukus Mello, senior writer and lead market analyst at NADAguides.com. “While both models are great cars, we know that today’s drivers have a variety of needs and a small car may not be logical for everyone. Our list of top picks includes cars, pickup trucks and SUVs that are among the best in their respective size classes for gas mileage as well as those that offer a terrific combination of comfort and convenience features.”

Some of the more surprising cars to top the list include the Audi TT roadster in the two-seater coupe category, which gets 22 city/29 highway mpg when equipped with the 200 horsepower, 2.0-liter engine and an automatic transmission and the Chrysler Town & Country in the minivan category not only for its very respectable 17 city/24 highway mpg with the 3.3-liter engine, but also for its innovative convenience features.

The Honda Accord was the top pick for the full-size sedan category, logging an estimated 21 city/31 highway mpg when it’s powered by the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission. “Mid-size and large sedans are surprisingly fuel efficient when they are equipped with four-cylinder engines, providing many drivers extra space without the compromised gas mileage of an SUV,” says Baukus Mello.

The complete article showcasing NADAguides.com’s top picks in 12 different size categories, as well as the runners-up in each category, can be found on the website: Most Fuel Efficient Cars, Pickup Trucks and SUVs for 2008. Following is a list of the top picks in each category and the best fuel economy rating, according to EPA estimates, for each car.

 -- Two-Seater Coupe: Audi TT Roadster (22 city/29 highway) -- Mini- and Sub-compact Car: Toyota Yaris (29 city/36 highway) -- Compact Car: Mazda MAZDA3 (24 city/34 highway) -- Mid-size Sedan: Hyundai Elantra (25 city/33 highway) -- Full-size Sedan: Honda Accord (22 city/31 highway) -- Station Wagon: Saab 9-5 Sportcombi (18 city/28 highway) -- Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country (17 city/24 highway) -- Compact Pickup Truck: Ford Ranger (21 city/26 highway) -- Full-Size Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado (15 city/20 highway) -- Crossover (CUV): Honda CR-V (20 city/27 highway) -- Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV): Jeep Patriot (23 city/28 highway) -- Hybrid Car: Toyota Camry Hybrid (33 city/34 highway) About NADAguides.com 

NADAguides.com is the world’s largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, personal watercraft, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and manufactured housing. At NADAguides.com, consumers have access to a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information.

FINDLAY, Ohio, July 31 — Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today announced a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share on common stock, payable Sept. 30, 2008, to stockholders of record at the close of business Sept. 2, 2008. This will mark the 146th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world.

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, July 31 — LyondellBasell Industries’ Softell polypropylene (PP) compound is being used to produce the door panels of Italian commercial utility vehicle producer IVECO’s new Eurocargo truck model.

LyondellBasell’s new Softell PP compound was selected for the new Eurocargo model to create a comfortable, “feel-good” atmosphere increasingly required in commercial utility vehicle interiors. “The door panels produced using our Softell compound not only have warm, soft-to-the-touch qualities, but they also match the surrounding surfaces from an aesthetics standpoint, and provide excellent finish and color consistency,” said Christoph Sondern, Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Automotive Business in Europe.

The finished part was styled by Iveco and designed by Italian supplier Plastal S.p.A., which developed the technological aspects of the application from inception to production.

Compared to competitive interior solutions such as painted ABS, Softell PP compounds offer additional advantages for automotive interiors, including excellent processability and high quality design potential. Softell compounds are used to produce injection molded finished parts in one step, using one material — with a sophisticated property profile and high serviceability, but without coating material waste. A door module measuring 1.20m high and 0.80m wide can be produced using a monomaterial concept that significantly reduces processing steps. “Up to 40 percent cost savings over conventional systems are possible,” said Sondern.

Expanding the envelope of PP compound performance

Softell compounds also offer safety benefits. Due to their morphological structure, finished parts produced using Softell compounds do not form sharp edges and splinters in crash tests, even at low temperatures. In addition to safety and design freedom, Softell compounds also surpass conventional PP compounds in terms of scratch resistance and low levels of gloss. With Softell compounds, light weight, cost effective door panels and many other interior components can be produced without compromising part performance. “Softell resins represent an entirely new class of plastics that enable the production of parts with high quality surfaces and outstanding finished part properties,” said Erik Licht, Global Marketing Manager for LyondellBasell’s Softell compounds. “All of this is achieved using an all-polyolefinic material in a simple injection molding process that provides a cost competitive alternative which offers resource efficiencies and minimizes environmental impact,” said Licht.

Eurocargo’s door panels produced using Softell compounds also provide very good acoustic characteristics. “Tests show that door panels produced with the resin showed better sound and vibration absorption properties compared to ABS and ABS/PC blends,” added Licht. “This contributes to reduced passenger cabin noise and a more pleasant riding experience.”

“Since we commercialized our Softell range for automotive applications earlier this year, we are seeing significant interest from manufacturers, as the resins meet stringent specifications of several European automotive interior applications,” said Sondern.

Ivecos’ Eurocargo trucks

The Eurocargo is one of the most successful mid-weight commercial utility trucks and is designed to guarantee complete operator satisfaction, particularly in terms of reliability and productivity. As a vehicle, it is adaptable to any type of application or operation, thanks to a modular design structure that ensures all-round versatility without compromising design integrity.

LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world’s largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world.