VC Visteon Corporation

Inside Matters: Visteon Original Equipment-Quality Climate Control Products Deliver Performance LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Making consumers happy" means there's more to choosing the best replacement climate control products than the lowest price. Today's higher-revving, hotter-running passenger applications require attention to detail; specifically, original equipment (OE) specifications that deliver the performance consumers expect. Visteon Corporation will show the importance of OE-quality parts in their booth (Booth 825) during the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov. 3 through 7, 2003. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001201/DEF008LOGO ) "There's simply too much at stake for the installer to take chances on a no-name product that might only deliver a fraction of the performance specified by the vehicle manufacturer," said John Moyer, director, Aftermarket Climate Control Customer Business Group, Visteon. "On initial inspection the part might appear to be similar to the OE component, but what's on the inside can be vastly different." Visteon engineers recently disassembled several replacement compressors to identify potential performance and service life issues. Among the problems found were flaking tin plate coating, which could cause premature compressor failure; older-style, less durable graphite piston rings; an outdated clutch facing design that can't be replaced; inconsistent bearing stop, a common precursor to noise and wear; and out-of-tolerance mounting bosses, which can lead to misalignment and related center-seam leakage or premature piston and cylinder wall wear. Similar internal design and construction issues can be found in a variety of radiators now available in the automotive service industry, according to Moyer. "It's not uncommon to come across radiators that offer 20 percent fewer tubes and fins than OE-quality replacement units," he said. "That represents a huge compromise in terms of heat rejection performance when those radiators are put into service." Each Visteon replacement radiator is engineered and built to meet the OE- established heat rejection specifications for each application. Visteon engineers apply the company's proven systems expertise to identify and achieve the appropriate performance standards for each replacement unit. As a result, the company's replacement radiators incorporate a full range of design enhancements, including radiator tubes with internal dimples that help maximize the swirling action of the coolant for enhanced heat transfer, and extra fin-surface louvers to increase radiating surface area. "Our benchmark is OE quality. This includes OE quality material and manufacturing techniques," Moyer said. "Our strategy is to provide an OE quality product at a competitive price that provides real value to our loyal customers." Aftermarket distributors are also seeing an increasing need for OE quality condensers, which are key to the air conditioning (A/C) systems. Considering the average condenser in a well-maintained A/C system has a life span of about 6 to 7 years, having the right parts available for distributors and installers is key for profitability. Visteon's condenser features multiple tubes running to a manifold using a multi-port tube with brazed fins for more heat transfer per inch. Visteon designs, engineers and manufactures condensers, compressors and other air conditioning components for leading global automakers -- all engineered to meet OE specifications. These same quality driven specifications can be found in new and remanufactured condensers and compressors. Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier that delivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket. Visteon has about 75,000 employees and a global delivery system of more than 180 technical, manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 25 countries. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001201/DEF008LOGO DATASOURCE: Visteon Corporation CONTACT: Robin Pannecouk, +1-313-755-9121, , or Jim Fisher, +1-313-755-0635, , both of Visteon Corporation Web site: http://www.visteon.com/

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