Ford Motor Co. becomes first manufacturer to feature PPG's fuel-saving
technology
DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) is
helping Ford Motor Co. become the world's first car manufacturer to feature a
panoramic glass roof using Sungate infrared reflective (IRR) technology. The
fixed-glass roof rejects more than 95 percent of the sun's infrared energy
while allowing more than twice the visible light of a conventional glass roof,
providing a unique "open air" look to the vehicle. The rejected infrared
energy keeps the car interior significantly cooler and contributes to fuel
savings when the air conditioner is running.
"The Sungate panoramic roof glass technology provides the equivalence of
50+ SPF ultraviolet (UV) protection, rejecting more than 99% of the UV
energy," said Mukesh Rustagi, PPG global product market manager. "It's
basically the sun without the burn. You couldn't buy a sunscreen lotion this
good."
Because the panoramic glass roof reduces transmission of UV and IR solar
energy, it helps reduce interior heat buildup, shortening cool-down time and
reducing heat gain while driving. Consumers do not feel as hot when they enter
the vehicle during hot weather and the vehicle gets to a more comfortable
condition quicker once the air conditioner is turned on because it has less
heat built up in the vehicle.
"PPG's long partnership with Ford and Webasto led to the use of the
Sungate IRR technology, which provides the look drivers want with the added
benefit of a more comfortable driving experience," said Rustagi.
According to Rustagi, the Sungate IR-reflective technology reduces the
initial workload on a vehicle's air conditioning system, which represents the
biggest use of power for climate control in a vehicle. "Because the air
conditioner doesn't have to work as hard, fuel efficiency increases and
emissions are reduced," he said.
The Mustang fixed-roof glass uses the same technology PPG features in its
Sungate windshield. The company believes the use of Sungate will help
automakers meet the tougher emissions and fuel economy requirements of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) revised Supplemental Federal Test
Procedure (SFTP) without compromising vehicle affordability, safety or
performance. In addition, using Sungate technology enables automakers to
better satisfy consumer demand for environmentally responsible technology.
According to Rustagi, PPG's panoramic glass application in the Mustang
also utilizes the company's enhanced acoustic glass, as found in PPG's
SoundMaster windshield. The Mustang glass roof enables noise reduction of
greater than 8 decibels (dB) better than standard tempered glass roofs at
certain frequencies relevant to human hearing. The result is a quieter and
more pleasant ride.
The 2009 Ford Mustang will make its debut at the North American
International Auto Show, January 13-27 in Detroit, Mich. The new roof will be
available on both the Mustang GT and the V-6 Mustang beginning in summer 2008.
Consumer market research shows that 62 percent of buyers in the sports car
segment are interested in a sunroof or moon roof on their next vehicle. In
fact, production of large sunroofs has increased nearly 200 percent in North
America since 2003, according to just-auto.com, the automotive industry's
leading online resource. This trend is being driven, in part, by consumers'
daily commute time. Consumers with commutes lasting more than 60 minutes grew
by almost 50 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals,
optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has
manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 30 countries. PPG
shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more
information, visit www.ppg.com.
-080113MustangRoof-
Sungate and SoundMaster are trademarks of PPG Industries.
SOURCE PPG Industries
Brian Tedeschi, brian@thinkcreativity.com, or Kirstian Druschel,
Kirstian@thinkcreativity.com, both of Think Communications, Inc. for PPG
Industries, +1-412-281-9228
