Regional focus: Looking to the East - no sign of a slow down in China's auto industry

The Chinese automotive sector has been designated a 'pillar industry', fundamental to the nation's economic future. Since China began moving towards a market-oriented economy in the 1980s, the automotive industry has been one of the most rapidly changing and expanding in the world, driven by the infusion of foreign technology, joint ventures and large investments. In this second of an occasional series looking at rapidly changing lubricants markets, Insight looks at the key trends in China today, highlighting the continued changes since Yang Dao Sheng's report in issue 4.

Face to face: Yang Dao Sheng on changing times in China

Rapid change and expansion in China's automotive industry continues to impact on the support industries. The lubricants industry has had to keep pace with changing requirements for the local market, and compete in an increasingly open marketplace. For those working in the industry the learning curve has been steep but rewarding. As Professor Yang Dao Sheng prepares to retire from his role as Industry Liaison and Marketing Technical Service Advisor at the Infineum Beijing Representative Office, he talks to Insight about his career and the many changes he has witnessed.

Industry issues: A question of timing - the advantages of variable valve timing

VTEC, VVTi, VVC - these acronyms embrace a range of engine design enhancements, generically known as Variable Valve Timing (VVT). What this means exactly depends on the engine builder in question. Valve timing is important to engine performance. The valves control the aspiration of the engine - they allow it to 'breathe' properly. Optimum performance is only attained when the quantities and timing of its aspiration are matched exactly to the immediate driving demands. Brian Lawrence of Infineum Crankcase Deployment explores VVT concepts and the implications in store for lubricants and their additives.

Industry issues: An alternative future - meeting future fuel needs

In recent years, environmental concerns have driven changes in conventional fuels. The new generation reformulated fuels, coupled with the development of lower emission hardware, have so far enabled vehicle manufacturers to meet increasingly stringent environmental legislation. However, as emissions regulations continue to be tightened, the response from the fuels, lubricants and additives industries will have to be innovative to meet that challenge. Alternative fuels have long been proposed as a route to lower emissions, and we can expect increased penetration of alternative fuels in the short to medium term. As countries strive to meet the consequences of the Kyoto Protocol, any technology with significant potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will be explored. So are alternative fuels a viable way forward? It is too early to say for sure, as there are many differences of opinion yet to be resolved. In this issue, Insight takes a broad look at the current situation. In future issues, Insight plans to examine individual fuels in greater detail, and keep you up-to-date on the alternative fuel debate.

Industry issues: Exploring the third dimension - understanding Group III base stocks

Ensuring the satisfactory quality of diesel engine lubricants is a major concern of both lubricant and vehicle manufacturers. The current generation of high output, advanced direct injection, turbocharged and intercooled engines place considerable stress on the crankcase lubricants. Furthermore, the need to maintain fuel economy is driving down the viscosity grade, forcing use of non-conventional base stocks to deliver adequate engine protection in a thinner oil. Consequently, European lubricant manufacturers are increasingly looking to Group III base stocks, which are generally judged on the relationship between viscosity and volatility. However, Insight looks at recent work that suggests the importance of a third dimension on which to base assessment - the deposit-forming tendency.

Industry issues: Going further with less - the fuel economy benefits of lower viscosity heavy-duty diesel lubricants

Cost-conscious haulage fleet operators are always looking for ways to reduce total running costs, in an effort to increase their operating profits. While optimised, low viscosity lubricant formulations can have no impact on depreciation, licensing or insurance costs, they can improve fuel economy and also help to maintain engine performance over extended oil drain intervals. It is therefore not surprising that lubricant marketers and customers are showing increasing interest in these ultra-high performance heavy-duty diesel lubricants. Insight looks at how formulators are using advanced additives to find the optimum balance of fuel economy and wear protection needed to meet the full range of requirements of today's fleet operators.