New machines save environment Honeywell
By Wang Yu (China Business Weekly)
Updated: 2004-05-08 15:21

Now that China has overtaken Japan as the world's second-largest consumer of oil, Honeywell Transportation Systems (TS) suggests the Chinese Government look at more measures to save energy through petrol alternatives such as diesel.

"Petrol-engine passenger vehicles continue to drive forward, and there will be much greater energy consumption in the country in the future, unless China starts to issue policies to promote diesel engines," said Rob Gillette, chief executive officer (CEO) of Honeywell TS.

Gillette said many people did not realize that a diesel engine can generate equivalent horse-power to a petrol engine and save 35 per cent of the cost.

According to Gillette, diesel technology has matured over decades of commercial application, and a successful experience in the European market has been a result of government initiatives to promote the use of diesel engines in passenger cars.

"We are expecting to see an improvement in Chinese society's public awareness. Hence, (they) may choose mature diesel technology and solutions to maintain environment-related, long-term and sustainable development strategies," the CEO said.

Gillette said that it would be helpful if the government introduced some pricing or tax measures to encourage consumers to buy high-quality diesel for their cars.

"Take Europe as an example. In order to promote a market for environmentally friendly diesel engines, the authorities raised the price of petrol and offered an allowance for high-quality diesel.

"As a result, consumers care much more about the type of cars they purchase - whether they are petrol-powered or diesel-driven. Great efforts will be needed from the government to influence consumers' decisions," Gillette said.

In China, Honeywell TS' customer Volkswagen manufactures Jetta SDI and Bora TDI passenger cars that use the firm's diesel engines.

"The engines do come from us, and they are built in Germany and shipped to China. Although there is a market request to build diesel engines for this size of vehicle in China, it does not happen yet. But we have plans to do it in the future," Gillette said.

The two types of diesel engine cars are not yet able to obtain licences in Beijing, because the majority of the public still equate diesel engines with smoking trucks that severely damage the environment.

But diesel technology was first introduced 50 years ago, and has been subject to constant improvement since.

And diesel engine passenger cars manufactured by Volkswagen now meet the highest standard of emissions regulations in Europe, according to Gillette.

"In China, and Beijing in particular, we are looking forward to government regulations that will protect the environment by promoting high-quality diesel engines in the auto industry," Gillette said.

Chinese passenger cars rarely use diesel engines, while the proportion in the European passenger car market has reached 45 per cent.

Europe has strict control over emissions, and China should follow suit, Gillette said.

"By applying turbo chargers to diesel engines, the emissions will be reduced. Besides, diesel engine cars save energy consumption by 30 per cent compared with petrol engines," he said.

For Honeywell TS, China is an important and fast-developing market, though still small today.

The firm's clients in China include almost all the major diesel engine manufacturers, such as Dongfeng, Yuchai, FAW and Volkswagen.

Honeywell TS manufactures turbo chargers for both diesel and petrol engines. While its turbo chargers for petrol engines have been used in some parts of the world for many years, it is diesel engines that gain the most efficiency.

"Many of our customers are looking for engines that will meet both the petrol and diesel vehicle sectors in the Chinese market, and we will try our best to meet their request. Therefore, as time goes on, people may see more and more smaller vehicles and passenger cars using turbo-charged engines," Gillette said.

Globally, turbo chargers are mainly used for small vehicles.

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