Automotive News - February 18, 2008 - (Page 26)

26 • FEBRUARY 18, 2008 In hydrogen race, Mazda seeks quicker route Combustion engine, not fuel cell, would be used Hans Greimel hgreimel@crain.com HIROSHIMA, Japan — Say “hydrogen car,” and most people think fuel cells — the green alternative being pursued by nearly every top automaker. But not Mazda. Mazda Motor Corp. is working on hydrogen, too. But instead of running it through a fuel cell membrane to generate electricity, it wants to burn it in a combustion engine, just like gasoline. The pitfalls are the same as with fuel cells: how to generate the hydrogen in the first place and how to promote hydrogen fueling stations. But if — and that’s a big “if” —those hurdles are overcome, Mazda says its road-less-traveled approach will put it miles ahead of rivals. Leased Mazda Premacy minivans will essentially be prototypes. The automaker will start leasing dual-fuel Premacy minivans next year. The vehicles will be up against Honda Motor Co.’s FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan, scheduled for limited leasing in the summer. In both cases, the Flipping a switch Mazda’s unique approach uses a rotary engine that can run on pressurized hydrogen gas or normal gasoline. Drivers can change between the two by flipping a switch. leased cars essentially are prototypes undergoing real-world tests. Hydrogen vehicles could be a key weapon someday in the battle against global warming because they release no carbon dioxide. But Mazda’s hydrogen chief, Akihiro Kashiwagi, says his combustion-engine approach has several advantages over the fuel cell route: The engines last longer than fuel cell membranes. They are not as sensitive to low temperatures or arid conditions. They offer a more “natural” driving experience. They are more reliable than fuel cells, which need hundreds of minicells functioning in sync. They are cheaper than fuel cells, which use as much as 20 times the platinum in today’s cars. “Even if we used all the platinum on Earth, we couldn’t meet the demand required if fuel cell cars became as widespread as today’s gasoline engines,” Kashiwagi says. Mazda isn’t alone in pursuing hydrogen combustion. BMW, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors have similar programs, says Kashiwagi. What makes those efforts different, he says, is that their engines are all 6.0 liters or bigger and have at least eight cylinders. Ford initially hand-built a small fleet of four-cylinder engines that burned hydrogen, but the next phase of its research focused on a 6.8-liter V-10. Rotary loner Conventional piston-driven engines need to be that big to achieve efficient hydrogen combustion, says Kashiwagi. Mazda’s rotary engine can be a lot smaller and still get good combustion because the fuel intake chamber is different from the combustion chamber, he says. That eliminates the risk of early combustion. If it’s so great, why isn’t everyone doing it? For one thing, only Mazda builds rotary engines. But other automakers also think fuel cells ultimately offer greater environmental potential. Takanobu Ito, head of Honda’s auto operations, says the high costs of fuel cells will drop gradually as new technologies are developed and achieve economies of scale. But more important, he says, hydrogen combustion engines still emit small amounts of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide, in part because of burning engine lubricants. By contrast, fuel cells emit only water. And in a future where reducing carbon dioxide emissions is expected to be a top priority, those clean credentials matter. “There is a big difference,” Ito says, “between zero emissions and very little emissions.” c Hydrogen hopes Mazda is developing a rotary engine that burns hydrogen as fuel, in contrast to other carmakers’ approach of using hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles. Here are pros and cons of burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine rather than using it in fuel cells. Pros Engines last longer than fuel cell membranes. Engines aren’t as susceptible as fuel cells to freezing or arid conditions. Engines don’t require as much expensive platinum as fuel cells. Cons Hydrogen doesn’t burn efficiently in small nonrotary engines. Generating hydrogen is energyintensive. Hydrogen fueling stations are rare. http://www.izmocars.com http://www.izmocars.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - February 18, 2008

Ford cuts equipment combinations on '09s Lenders shun subprime market Toyota dealers test satellite service centers Despite cost, more carmakers use laminated glass Merger produces turnaround firm Chrysler would shut to move Plastech work Jeep accessories: Mo' for Mopar Auctions: Repos are rising Automakers face more child safety rules Supplier Personnel Family-owned stores could be tough sell for consolidation What would lineup be with brands under single roof? Mercedes will pay $9.5 million to settle suit Beru revamps strategy to boost profits, growth Jaguar: Dealers take 10,000 customer deposits for XF sedans Chrysler exec: Performance segment will survive Mahindra to offer hybrids in U.S. Mazda ad agency hires VW and Mini creative whiz Icy weather and perhaps boredom chill roadster sales GM, Saturn: What's after Reynolds? Ford: Mid-sized model year for mid-sized cars Kia's new American boss: Let's boost sales Rolls gets sporty Luxury brands push to meet demand in Russia Dealer is makers' best voice in D.C. Get real, Kia, Hyundai Face it, Detroit: Trimming dealers will be expensive GM has confidence in the Chevy Volt It's no wonder auto sales are declining A workable idea: GM dealer buyouts It's deja vu again with reborn 2CV Nothing beats face to face There's a person behind that e-mail Buying cars online makes perfect sense Bush seeks to save 2008-11 CAFE rules Personnel Lear investor: No regrets about blocking buyout GM CFO is mum on more aid to Delphi Dealers Road to tomorrow is paved with plastics Council aims to keep Ford current on environmental issues VW ponders Phaeton's U.S. flop, may try again McGuffie is Covisint's president In hydrogen race, Mazda seeks quicker route Suit seeks to enforce title-washing remedy Suppliers to the 2008 Buick Enclave Mercedes, Audi warn dealers: No sales for export Sykora wants CAFE flexibility Minority dealers see tough times in 2008 Arlena Sawyers Toyota goal: Create stress-free store NADA's Taylor predicts 15.7 million U.S. sales this year Honda widens support for dealer ad groups Jay's jabs Survival 101: Get lean, work harder Microsoft will test dealership system Farley wants market-by-market sales strategy Entertaining the troops Report: Detroit 3 cutbacks curb rental-fleet sales Dilts: High interest rates hurt industry GM asks for dealer assistance on quality On the Record Fisker: We're close to making plug-in car J.D. Power exec: Internet leads are slipping away Minority auto group nears 2 deals Garmin makes navigation technology deal Tenneco wins Ford work B-P-G focuses on new product push Volvo offers cash to thin the herd Cadillac challenges dealers to boost sales Chevrolet can stay No. 1, if it will fight GM will push a green marketing message Saturn is expected to be GM's growth brand Certified used sales help Honda dealer profits Hummer counts on pickup to perk sales Mazda will boost marketing budget, unveil Mazda6 Saab dealers to get new vehicles Toyota wants even better customer loyalty Infiniti stresses profits and customer satisfaction Mitsubishi CEO sets tough U.S. sales goal Nissan exec: New models will boost per-store sales Suzuki dealers cheer return of incentives Ford to boost dealer margins Jag dealers anxiously await the XF Ford executives vague about Mercury future Subaru dealers want diesels, hybrids Acura upscale shift inspires 'great faith in the future' BMW readies national loaner-car program Land Rover: Future upbeat, unclear VW dealers get vehicles on wish list Chrysler dealers OK with consolidation plan Mercedes pushes dealership standards Porsche shrinks as luxury segment lapses Large Hyundai dealers get more room to roam Execs' exit stuns Kia dealers Ford recalls 180,000 trucks over door part, fuel hose GM posts massive loss; eyes N.A. profits by 2011 Big-truck sales fall 33.5% in Jan. WTO rips China's tariffs on imported auto parts Fiesta will rejoin the party in the U.S. UAW's Valentine to Delphi: Hands off our pensions Rx for dealership flux: NFL draft + Mideast bazaar Toyota gets the boot in Mexico Nissan triples female managers Silverado hits a million, rolls on

Automotive News - February 18, 2008

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