Siemens VDO Automotive Green Motors Help Move Industry Closer To Environmental Compatibility

DETROIT, March 5 -- At Siemens VDO Automotive, the color of fractional horsepower electric motors is green. In fact, Siemens VDO Automotive has been manufacturing environmentally friendly electric motors by actively pursuing the removal and restriction of hazardous component materials for several years. This initiative parallels today's 2003 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress discussions on the automotive industry's commitment to environmental compatibility -- Sustainable Development.

Currently, four main hazardous materials and elements are being targeted by the industry for removal -- hexavalent chromium (Cr4), cadmium, lead and mercury.

Siemens VDO Automotive engineers were able to remove the hexavalent chromium from motor ball bearings, while maintaining performance levels, meeting the European legislation directive that regulates its use. This is the most recent company initiative to remove hazardous material from its motors.

"All of our engine cooling motor brushes have been lead-free for several years now," said Siemens VDO Automotive Motor Development Manager Andrew Lakerdas. "We have worked with our suppliers and have developed brushes that provide excellent performance and durability without lead content."

Lakerdas states eliminating the utilization of this controlled material involved considerable effort and thorough validation by Siemens VDO Automotive.

"This material innovation has been favorably accepted by customers," said Lakerdas.

In an effort to stay informed and help guide initiatives on controlling hazardous materials use in the automotive industry, the company registered and began participating in the International Material Data System (IMDS) last year. This European system is designed to archive materials used by carmakers and suppliers and is organized as an association of Original Equipment Manufacturers. In addition, Siemens VDO Automotive also is working with its suppliers to identify materials, particularly those which have been cited as environmentally hazardous.

"We are working on removing not only lead, but all hazardous materials in our motors and are certainly on pace with -- or ahead of -- industry and government requirements," said Lakerdas. "While some fractional horsepower motor manufactures are starting to promote the environmental-friendliness of their products, Siemens VDO Automotive has been voluntarily involved with this activity for quite some time."

Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2001/2002 totaled $8.5 billion. For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com .

Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. It employs 426,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of $77.8 billion in fiscal 2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02). The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with sales of $21.5 billion in fiscal 2002 and approximately 70,000 employees in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com .

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