The week’s top news starts off with a look at some legal action over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new refrigerant ruling. On Dec. 22, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Refrigeration Products Institute (ARPI) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging a significant new use rule (SNUR) issued by the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The SNUR prohibits consumers from using a new automotive refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, to perform maintenance on their own vehicle air conditioners.
In a letter to the U.S. EPA earlier this year, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) expressed concern with the substitution of HFO-1234yf, noting that they believed it poses some risk to those persons handling the product, particularly non-professionals or do-it-yourself (DIY) consumers. ASA asked that the EPA include both a certification process and an equipment requirement for any purchasers of HFO-1234fy due to the flammability of the proposed substitute.
AAIA and ARPI, however, state in their petition that that they feel the restrictions on consumer use are neither necessary nor are they supported by health and safety data. The petition filed by ARPI and AAIA charged that the information the EPA used in issuing the final SNUR was based on an entirely new risk assessment, and data not made available for review comment by interested parties prior to the time the SNUR was issued, and therefore is a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. The petition further argues that the EPA’s conclusions about the risks of 1234yf were based on a variety of implausible and unwarranted assumptions that led to unnecessary restrictions on the ability of individual consumers to service and maintain systems that utilize the new refrigerant.
Aside from the legal basis for their appeal, ARPI and AAIA say they believe strongly that HFO-1234yf is “a promising new tool in the fight against ozone-depletion and global warming,” and is safe for use by non-certified technicians and consumers servicing their vehicles.
In Brainerd, Minn., this week, Automotive Parts Headquarters took some time out during its annual Winter meeting to recognize its top suppliers for 2010. The family- and employee-owned Minnesota-based parts distributor and store group presented three Outstanding Supplier Awards including: Superior Fill Rate – BBB Industries; Best Fieldwork Support – Dayco Products; and 2010 Supplier of the Year – Dorman Products.
In the heavy-duty segment this week, WIX Filters introduced its new ecoLAST line of heavy-duty oil filters, which the company says has proven to double oil life and save fleets money each year. Typical fleets, which average four oil changes per vehicle per year, can save approximately $100 to $200 per vehicle annually using ecoLAST filters when compared to oil changes using standard oil filters, according to WIX. For example, a medium-size fleet of 400 vehicles could potentially save more than $51,000 by eliminating the need for 240 barrels of oil, 800 filters and approximately 400 man hours. The company plans to make ecoLAST filters available for heavy-duty over-the-road applications between February and April for the following engines: Cummins ISX, Cummins M11, Mack MP8, Detroit DD60, Caterpillar C13 and Caterpillar C15. The filters are a direct replacement with no changes or modification required to the vehicle.
On the heels of the news that it had divested its light vehicle brake hose operation in Brazil to make way for other investments, Trelleborg this week announced a new joint venture agreement with Freudenberg. Trelleborg and Freudenberg have signed a letter of intent to form a 50/50 joint venture within antivibration solutions for light and heavy vehicles. The joint venture will consist of Trelleborg Automotive’s operations in antivibration solutions and Freudenberg’s corresponding business called Vibracoustic. The part of Trelleborg Automotive that will be included in the joint venture accounts for about 75 percent of sales in Trelleborg Automotive. Total annual sales for the joint venture are estimated at approximately $1.8 billion, with 8,100 employees in 17 countries.
Last in our round-up of this week’s most-viewed news items, we learn of a new belt inspection tool for technicians, created by Veyance Technologies, makers of the Gatorback brand of serpentine belts. The GatorGauge tool is a three-in-one inspection solution allowing technicians to quickly and accurately assess belt wear when determining if it needs to be replaced, according to the company. The tool is made specifically for use with the company’s Gatorback brand, which is tested each week under the hoods of every NASCAR vehicle. GatorGauge’s unique design measures rib wear, rib cracks and belt thickness in a matter of seconds.
