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Worldwide Recommendations for Quality Fuels Proposed

4 June 1998

Worldwide Recommendations for Quality Fuels Proposed by Leading Automakers; Gas and Diesel Quality Key to Vehicle Driveability and Environmental Impact

    BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 4 -- Fuels blended in accordance with
a new "World-Wide Fuel Charter" proposed by the world's leading motor vehicle
manufacturers would result in improved gasoline and diesel fuel quality to the
benefit of consumers and the environment alike.
    The "World-Wide Fuel Charter" was developed in recognition of the impact
gasoline and diesel fuel quality have on vehicle driveability, fuel
efficiency, durability and environmental effects.
    During the last two years, representatives of U.S., European and Japanese
automotive manufacturers have met to discuss the need for worldwide fuels
harmonization.  The objective of manufacturers' global fuel harmonization
effort is, to the extent possible, to reduce exhaust and carbon dioxide
emissions from motor vehicles while meeting consumers' transportation
requirements.  The fuel quality levels proposed in the Charter take into
consideration customer requirements in a variety of markets and functional
limitations of emission control technologies.  In addition to U.S., European
and Japanese auto manufacturers, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers
Association strongly supports the World-Wide Fuel Charter.
    As motor vehicle manufacturers increase efforts to market their cars and
trucks globally, the need for consistent worldwide fuel quality has become
increasingly apparent.  At the same time, efforts to harmonize vehicle exhaust
emissions standards highlight the need for harmonized fuel standards.
    Over 30 motor vehicle manufacturers support the Charter and say adoption
of the recommendations will:

    *  reduce the impact of motor vehicles on the environment immediately
       through reduced vehicle fleet emissions;
    *  consistently satisfy customer performance expectations; and
    *  minimize vehicle equipment complexities with optimized fuels for each
       emissions control category, which will reduce customer costs and
       facilitate the development of fuel efficient technologies.

    The "World-Wide Fuel Charter" was proposed during the Worldwide Fuels
Conference here.  Comments from stakeholders and interested parties will be
solicited through September 3.
    AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation
, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation
.  Visit AAMA's site on the World Wide Web at http://www.aama.com.
    JAMA is the trade association for major Japanese automobile manufacturers.
Its members include Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Hino
Motors, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Isuzu Motors Limited, Kawasaki Heavy
Industries, Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation,
Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Suzuki Motor
Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.  Visit
JAMA's site on the World Wide Web at http://www.japanauto.com.
    ACEA is the professional body representing the interests and combined
skills of fourteen European car, truck and bus manufacturers (BMW AG, DAF NV,
Fiat Auto S.p.A., Ford of Europe Inc., General Motors Europe AG, MAN
Nutzfahrzeuge AG, Daimler-Benz AG, Porsche AG, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault
SA, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., Scania AB, Volkswagen AG, Volvo AB) at the
European level and throughout the world.