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| For Immediate Release July 30, 2002 |
Contact: Charles Territo, 202-326-5523 |
Causes Vehicle Emission Failures
Washington, D.C. — A new study shows a gasoline additive, commonly used in Canada and beginning to be found in the U.S., can contribute to increases in smog forming emissions, reduce fuel economy, increase greenhouse gas emissions and cause low emission vehicles to fail hydrocarbon emission standards.
Tests conducted by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association found that the additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), was responsible for significant increases in smog forming emissions. MMT also was found to rapidly deteriorate some catalytic converters at high mileages. MMT is a metal based additive used to increase the octane of gasoline.
"The findings of this study confirm that MMT significantly impairs the performance of vehicle emission control systems," stated Jo Cooper, President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "Not only did the use of MMT cause low emission vehicles to fail EPA's stringent emissions standards, it also caused a decrease in fuel economy. It is our hope the EPA will recognize the impact of this additive and take the appropriate steps to ensure it is removed from our fuels."
"The MMT study confirms the importance of matching fuel quality specifications to advanced vehicle technologies," said Timothy MacCarthy, President and CEO of AIAM. " In recent years, EPA has made significant progress toward improved fuel quality, and based on the results of this study, we urge that they move expeditiously to prohibit the use of MMT."
Automakers are providing the most advanced emissions control systems in the world and will be introducing even cleaner vehicles in the 2004 model year. To achieve the environmental benefits these systems are designed for, however, fuel specifications must be closely controlled.
These findings are a result of a multi-year, multi-million dollar study involving 14 different vehicle models from six auto manufacturers. The data produced by the tests represents the most comprehensive information currently available about the emissions effects of MMT. For additional information please visit http://www.autoalliance.org/.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 12 car and light truck manufacturers who account for more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. Member companies include BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen. For more information, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/.
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers members include American Honda, American Suzuki, Aston Martin Lagonda, Denso International, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Robert Bosch, Saab, and Subaru, and Toyota. For more information about AIAM and its members, visit http://www.aiam.org/.
Mazda · Mitsubishi Motors · Nissan · Porsche · Toyota · Volkswagen · Volvo
1401 H Street, N.W. Suite 900 · Washington, D.C. 20005 · Tel: (202) 326-5500 · Fax: (202) 326-5598