Champion Spark Plug Launches National Brand
3 November 1998
Champion Spark Plug Launches National Brand, Gives 'Power Toy' Owners More Power ST. LOUIS, Nov. 3 -- Champion, the global leader in spark
plugs, is launching a national campaign for a new spark plug -- PowerSport --
which is designed to provide more power and reliability for watercraft,
snowmobile, motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle owners, the company announced
today during a major trade show in Las Vegas.
PowerSport offers superior performance and shrugs off fouling, the two
biggest concerns of power toy owners.
"More power, durability, reliability and confidence are the hallmarks of a
great Champion," said Champion's Marketing Director Lee Reighart. "Our
research and development team has hit upon a fantastic product that will
provide great benefits to our customers in terms of power and reliability."
The new spark plug line, manufactured in Burlington, Iowa, was unveiled
today during the Big I Show in Las Vegas. It is now being introduced
nationally for personal watercraft and snowmobiles, and, during the first
quarter of 1999, it will be launched for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
"The consumer response in test markets was absolutely fantastic," Reighart
said. "We anticipate a comparable response wherever we sell Champion's
PowerSport brand."
"PowerSport addresses all of the performance issues faced by personal
watercraft, snowmobile, motorcycle and ATV owners," Reighart explained. "Our
engineers spent thousands of hours testing these spark plugs in hundreds of
applications. They feature a number of improvements over standard plugs."
For example, PowerSport plugs have a "power boost firing end" with
center and ground electrodes positioned deeper in the combustion chamber than
typical plugs. The increased projection means a more centralized spark
position for more power, and it also provides a warmer heat range at low
speeds, which substantially reduces core nose fouling. Conversely, PowerSport
stays cooler at high engine speeds, resulting in increased plug life and
better safety margins. PowerSport also features enhancements in the resistor,
terminal stud, copper core fine wire electrode and bore volume.
"The new terminal and terminal stud design virtually eliminate vibration-
induced failures, which is especially important," Reighart said. "The plug's
copper core fine wire electrodes reduce misfires, and its patented Mag
suppressor replaces the resistor to suppress ignition radio noise interference
without reducing ignition performance.
"Even the ceramic is stronger, to help the plug survive the vibration and
shock loads experienced in these engines," he added. "All of these factors
combine to make PowerSport the best plug on the market for personal watercraft
and snowmobiles."
PowerSport is the latest spark plug designed by Champion to meet specific
customer needs. It follows the Champion Stainless Steel spark plug, which
resists rust and corrosion even in saltwater; Champion EZ Start, a spark plug
designed to provide easier starting for lawn mowers, chain saws, trimmers and
other small engines; and, Truck Plug, which has a projected core nose that
improves performance in trucks, recreational vehicles and other heavy-duty
applications.
Champion also plans to introduce nationally in early 1999 its newest
member to the Champion spark plug family -- Platinum Power -- a premium plug
for cars and trucks. For more information, visit
http://www.cooperauto.com/frames/aftermkt/champion/.
Champion is a division of Federal-Mogul Corp. Headquartered in
Southfield, Mich., Federal-Mogul is a $7 billion automotive parts manufacturer
providing innovative solutions and systems to global customers in the
automotive, light truck, heavy-duty, railroad, farm and industrial markets.
The company was founded in 1899 and employs 56,000 people. Visit the
company's Web site at http://www.federal-mogul.com for more information.
Federal-Mogul's press releases are available by fax through Company News On-
Call, 800-758-5804, ext. 306225.
