Turbochargers Enable 20 To 40 Percent Better Fuel Economy Helping Automakers Reach CAFE Targets

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) Turbo Technologies, the leading global developer of automotive turbochargers, is providing the technology auto makers need to achieve the next generation of U.S. fuel economy standards. Honeywell turbos allow manufacturers to downsize from larger engines to smaller ones which are more fuel efficient, have improved emissions and still maintain the performance characteristics American consumers want.

Honeywell expects U.S. light vehicle turbo penetration to continue to increase dramatically. During the past year, light vehicle turbo penetration in the U.S. has gone from 6 percent to 10 percent and is expected to more than double to 23 percent by 2016. Turbocharging enables up to 20 percent better fuel economy on gas vehicles, and up to 40 percent better fuel economy on diesel vehicles, with no compromise on performance and at a significant discount to hybrid and electric vehicles.

The best-selling car in the United States for June, the Chevy Cruze, has a Honeywell turbo on three of its four variants including the Cruze Eco. The Cruze Eco delivers segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L, I-4 turbo with variable valve timing resulting in an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway. Honeywell expects to triple its daily turbo output in support of Cruze sales during the next year.

"Honeywell is a global partner to the auto motive industry, and we will continue to help our customers meet any CAFE targets set in the United States," said Steve McKinley, Honeywell Turbo Technologies vice president of the Americas for Engineering. "While electric vehicles get a lot of attention nowadays for their potential, turbocharging is a credible technology available and accepted in the marketplace right now. Engine downsizing coupled with turbos is the quickest way to make a significant improvement in the overall fuel efficiency of the U.S. automotive portfolio while maintaining performance levels."

Honeywell supplies technology solutions to nearly every major auto and truck maker in the world for gas, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid engine applications. Honeywell will debut more than 100 new turbo engine applications this year alone on passenger and commercial vehicles across the globe and has more than 500 currently in its pipeline.

November 29, 2011

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