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Walbro Corporation Unveils Fuel System of the Future at SAE '99

3 March 1999

Walbro Corporation Unveils Fuel System of the Future at SAE '99

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 2 -- Walbro Corporation
unveiled its 2000x Smart Tank(TM) -- fuel system of the future
-- at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit during the SAE (Society
of Automotive Engineers) 1999 International Congress and Exposition.
    Walbro's Smart Tank, the industry's first electronically-managed fuel
storage and delivery system, features its own in-tank computer that receives
commands and delivers processed information directly to the vehicle's onboard
computer network.
    "This new fuel system reflects the next generation of features for fuel
systems," said Tom Mathues, Vice President - Engineering, North America.  "The
fuel system of the future is working to meet the challenges of the 2004
proposed evaporative emission regulations.  This system is built to eliminate
most of the traditional holes and joints and to capture all active parts of
the system within the tank shell."
    Walbro's Smart Tank is a complete system that only requires two
connections to its plastic coextruded tank with a vapor barrier to control
evaporative emissions.  One connector is for the filler tube.  The other
connector is for a subsystem assembly that includes a Smart Pump(TM), smart
purge, unique electronic control module, fuel level and OBD II sensors.
    Walbro's Smart Tank incorporates fuel pressure generation, fuel pressure
control, a stationary piezo sensor to measure fuel volume, vapor collection,
carbon vapor storage, a fuel/fill stop valve, an all-position fuel reservoir
and its final filter.
    The Smart Tank's intelligence comes from its electronic tank control
module (TCM).  It processes information and works directly with the vehicle's
onboard computer network.  It is programmed to optimize the vapor purge
process, provide fuel pressure on demand, and minimize the drain on the
vehicle's electrical system.
    Walbro is a designer and manufacturer of precision fuel systems and
products for automotive and small engine markets.  Headquartered in Auburn
Hills, Mich., USA, Walbro has subsidiaries and joint ventures throughout the
world, including North and South America, Europe and Asia.  Walbro common
stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol WALB.
Visit Walbro Corporation's web site at http://www.walbro.com.