Breakthrough for SinterCast: First diesel engine for US light duty pick-up trucks





  * 3.0 litre V6 EcoDiesel engine confirmed for Ram 1500 pick-up
  * SinterCast-CGI Cylinder block and bedplate production ramping-up
  * Chrysler and Audi increase diesel momentum in critical US market


     For pictures, see PDF

[Stockholm,  18 February 2013] - Following the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
with  a 3.0 litre V6 EcoDiesel at the  North American International Auto Show in
Detroit  on  14 January,  the  Chrysler  Group  has confirmed that the EcoDiesel
engine  will also  be available  in the  model year 2014 Ram 1500 pick-up truck.
 Showroom   sales  will  begin  during  the  third  quarter  of  2013.  Although
performance  and fuel economy  ratings were not  disclosed for the Ram 1500, the
EcoDiesel  provides 240 horsepower and  570 Nm of torque  in the Grand Cherokee,
and 40% improved fuel economy compared to the V6 petrol engine alternative.  Ram
is  the first brand to announce a diesel engine in the critical half-ton pick-up
sector,  resulting  in  new  competitive  benchmarks  for  fuel  economy,  CO(2)
emissions, driving range and torque.

The  3.0 litre  V6  EcoDiesel  is  based  on a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block and
bedplate,  cast at the Tupy foundry in Brazil.  Following pre-machining at Tupy,
final   machining   and   engine   assembly  is  performed  in  a  purpose-built
manufacturing  facility at diesel engine specialist VM Motori in Italy, a member
of  the Fiat-Chrysler Group.   Engine production has  been successfully underway
since  2010 for the European Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Lancia Thema.
 Series  production  of  the  cylinder  block  and bedplate ramped-up during the
second  half of 2012, in  advance of the  Jeep and Ram  announcements in the US.
 Volumes are expected to exceed 100,000 Engine Equivalents during 2013.

The  diesel momentum in the  US was further buoyed  by Audi at the Detroit Show,
announcing  that it  would introduce  its A6,  A7, A8  and Q5  diesels to the US
during  2013.  The diesel options  will provide an  average of 30% improved fuel
economy  compared to the  base petrol engine  alternatives.  Audi announced that
36% of  its current US Q7  sales were diesels, based  on the SinterCast-CGI 3.0
litre  V6.  Overall, when  US passenger vehicles  are made available with diesel
options, the take rate is greater than 30%.  The diesel take rate for heavy-duty
pick-ups is in excess of 60%.

"Despite  media focus on vehicle downsizing and electrification, pick-ups remain
the  best-selling vehicles in the US.  The Ford F150 and the Chevrolet Silverado
pick-ups  continue to  be the  top two  vehicles in  the US  and the Ram 1500 is
solidly  in the  Top 10.  Together  with Ram's  impressive 2013 awards  as Motor
Trend's  'Truck of the Year', 'The North  American Truck of the Year' and 'Truck
of  Texas', the  first diesel  offering in  the half-ton sector will undoubtedly
lead  to increased sales for Ram, and  set a competitive benchmark for the other
OEMs  to  respond  to"  said  Dr  Steve  Dawson,  President & CEO of SinterCast.
 "Together  with  the  previously  announced  commitment for the first-ever high
volume CGI petrol engine, with start of production in 2013, the Ram announcement
represents  a  second  breakthrough  for  SinterCast in 2013, providing a strong
foundation for continued growth."

 Dr Steve Dawson

 President & CEO

 Tel:    +46 8 660 7750

 e-mail: steve.dawson@sintercast.com


SinterCast is the world's leading supplier of process control technology for the
reliable  high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). With at least
75% higher  tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness  and approximately double the
fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron and aluminium, CGI allows engine
designers  to improve  performance, fuel  economy and  durability while reducing
engine  weight, noise and  emissions. The SinterCast  technology is used for the
production  of more than 50 CGI components,  ranging from 2 kg to 17 tonnes, all
using  the same proven process control technology.  The end-users of SinterCast-
CGI  components include  Aston Martin,  Audi, Cameron  Compression, Caterpillar,
Chrysler,   DAF  Trucks,  Ford,  Ford-Otosan,  General  Electric  Transportation
Systems,  General Motors, Hyundai,  Jaguar, Jeep, Kia,  Lancia, Land Rover, MAN,
Navistar,  Porsche, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Rolls-Royce Power Engineering,
Scania, Toyota, VM Motori, Volkswagen, Volvo and Waukesha Engine. The SinterCast
share  is  quoted  on  the  Small  Cap  segment of the NASDAQ OMX stock exchange
(Stockholmsbörsen: SINT). For more information: www.sintercast.com

                                      END


[HUG#1678750]

Attachments

Press Release PDF.pdf