Webasto Converges on Capitol Hill to Showcase Environmental Innovation That Reduces Fuel Consumption, Greenhouse Gas

Award-winning Technology on Capitol Grounds Wednesday

FENTON, Mich., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Webasto Product North America is making a big impact in the fight to save the planet through innovation, engineering and technology, and the company is making its presence known on Capitol Hill next week with congressional office visits and a technology demonstration near the Capitol building. Webasto is a global leader in idle-reducing heating and cooling solutions for the transportation industry and has been blazing the path to a cleaner future.

Webasto has three Michigan facilities in Fenton, Rochester Hills and Livonia; two Kentucky facilities in Lexington and Murray; and a facility in Santa Fe Springs, California.

Webasto's technologies are California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved and its BlueCool Truck cooling technology received the 2008 Frost and Sullivan award for the Idle Reduction Technology of the Year based on its positive impacts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The BlueCool Truck cab will be on display on the west front of the Capitol (behind Ulysses Grant Memorial) on Wednesday, between 9:30am to 4pm.

"Webasto has been producing innovative idle reduction technologies for more than 70 years and our company is proud to have been green before it was cool to be green," said John Thomas, General Manager of Commercial Vehicle Business Development and Head of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs. "Our technologies are not only an environmental success, but they find that delicate balance between environmental policy, industry affordability and rapid return on investment. Because of this our technology can truly be referred to as green, green solutions."

Over the coming years, government and industry will spend billions, even trillions, to forge a path to cleaner and more efficient technology. Among these technologies are electric, hybrid, fuel cell, hydraulic, hydrogen, alternative fuels, and they all bring promise and opportunity for the future.

Webasto believes that in order to gain critical mass with these technologies, critical roadblocks need to be removed and awareness needs to increase. Some of these efforts include implementing a uniform national idling standard, tax credits and low interest loans. All of these components would be major contributors toward reaching America's twin goals of energy independence and the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Webasto's engine-off technology has the ability to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions now. When compared to other green technologies, Webasto's technologies make the largest reduction of carbon footprint per dollar spent while maintaining a payback period (return on investment) of between four and 12 months.

Webasto representatives will be on Capitol Hill next week meeting with members of Congress and their staff to discuss how well this technology fits into energy legislation now being crafted in the House and the Senate.

Webasto Product North America, Inc., based in Fenton, Michigan, provides a wide range of engine-off heating and cooling technologies and other products to the heavy-duty truck OEM and aftermarkets, as well as passenger vehicle, RV, defense, cargo and marine industries. It is a subsidiary of Webasto AG. Webasto AG, headquartered in Stockdorf near Munich, has been a family-run business ever since the company was founded in 1901. It has about 6,400 employees at 50 international locations and is specialized in the Convertible, Roof & Body (CRB) and Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) business segments. With sales of around 1.6 billion euros (2008 business year) Webasto is one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide. The company's core competencies include development and production of convertible, roof and body systems as well as heating, cooling and ventilation systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. For additional information go to www.webasto.us or call (800) 215-7010.

SOURCE Webasto Product North America