Behr Returns as SAE World Congress Exhibitor In 2011

TROY, Mich., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Behr America will showcase its latest electric and hybrid-electric vehicle technology as well as a variety of engine-mounted components for downsized engines at this spring's SAE International World Congress scheduled for April 12-14 in Detroit.

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After a three-year absence, Behr will return to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) program with a 400-square-foot "island" display in the "Innovators Only" section of the show adjacent to exhibits by Ford and General Motors.

"With demand for new technology and product innovation now at a premium, it's good to be an automotive engineer," said Heinz Otto, president and CEO of Behr America. "Energy levels among engineers and other attendees at this year's SAE World Congress should be especially high. Engineers love a challenge. And the need to improve fuel economy and lower emission levels has never been greater."

"Charging Forward Together" is the theme for this year's SAE World Congress which will be hosted by General Motors.

"SAE International is especially pleased to welcome Behr America back as an exhibitor at the SAE World Congress," said Patti Kreh, the organization's conference director. "Behr is a leader in the international automotive air-conditioning and engine-cooling business, and their participation symbolizes the true global nature of this event."

Uwe Krueger, vice president of engineering for the company in North America, noted that a new storage evaporator developed by Behr engineers for vehicles equipped with start-stop systems and the company's innovative Comfort Vent Air Conditioning System which will be exhibited at the show both have been selected as finalists in the prestigious 2011 Automotive News PACE Awards program.

The Behr evaporator stores energy that can be used to help maintain cabin temperatures and air flow. That is especially important for hybrid vehicles equipped with a start-stop system where the A/C compressor shuts off during "stop" phases of operation with a negative impact on interior temperature levels and elimination of unpleasant odor.

Behr's comfort-vent system allows drivers and passengers to individually regulate both airflow and temperature. The technology already has debuted on several European cars and Behr is looking forward to interest among North American customers as well.

"With Comfort Vent, drivers and passengers can set their own, individual 'feel good' airflow and temperature," Krueger said. "The system has more cooling power and is quieter when compared to other systems. It also optimizes cabin air quality."

A variety of Behr's engine-mounted components contribute to new environmentally friendly gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles with significantly improved fuel economy. New charge-air coolers for turbocharged engines and engine-mounted charge-air coolers for gasoline engines enable engineers to downsize engines without compromising power.  

Products such as EGR coolers, exhaust heat-management systems and Visco clutches also provide for fuel efficiency improvements while making vehicles more environmentally sustainable.

"If we add up the fuel economy improvements of each of these various components, the savings are significant," added Krueger.

Behr's North American headquarters is in Troy, Michigan. Behr America has nearly 2,200 employees at facilities in Troy, Mich.; Dayton, Ohio; Charleston, S.C.; Fort Worth, Texas, and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, Germany, is a systems partner for the international automobile industry. A specialist for automotive air-conditioning and engine-cooling systems, the Behr Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of original equipment for passenger and commercial vehicles. Group sales in the 2009 business year came to approximately $3.5 billion. Currently, Behr employs approximately 16,000 staff at 17 development locations, 28 production locations and 12 joint ventures worldwide.

Additional information is available at www.behrgroup.com.

SOURCE Behr America