Author: Haitham Razagui

Mitsubishi Triton in wrecking yard

A report commissioned by the Department of the Environment into the release of refrigerants from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in Australia estimates that 166 tonnes of high global warming potential R134a and 21 tonnes of ozone-depleting R12 were emitted in this way during 2013. That is equivalent to 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, based on Continue reading End-of-life vehicle refrigerant study out soon

Stuart Charity

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has been busy campaigning for broader access to vehicle repair information since issue 5 of SightGlass News. Frustrated by the slow response of car companies to share data – with only Holden offering a portal that satisfies the and eight others providing insufficient information – the AAAA has taken Continue reading AAAA loses patience on repair data sharing

Sanden fined for price fixing in US

Numerous car parts suppliers implicated in rigging racket The US Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the automotive parts industry intensified last year with the Japanese supplier Sanden Corporation fined $US3.2 million ($A4.7m) for conspiring to fix the prices of air-conditioning compressors sold to Nissan.  According to the department, Sanden Continue reading Sanden fined for price fixing in US

SEMA Garage

The peak industry body for the automotive aftermarket sector has welcomed the Turnbull government’s new $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) which promises more funding for new business ventures, promotes innovative research and rewards risk-taking in order to build a more entrepreneurial culture in Australia.  For industry, a key part of the wide-ranging Continue reading AAAA welcomes National Innovation and Science Agenda

David Appel, president Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems

Developed countries have an equally critical role as developing countries in addressing the serious economic, social and environmental problems associated with food waste, according to experts at the recent World Cold Chain Summit to Reduce Food Waste. Around 130 delegates from 35 countries attended the two-day summit in Singapore, where global leaders in the supply Continue reading Cold chain vs food waste

Smart fabric technology

A new ‘smart fabric’ billed as providing a form of climate-control air-conditioning for the wearer looks to have potential for use in car seat upholstery. Scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland claim to have developed a new high-volume production method for hot embossing microscopic channel structures onto large areas of plastic film Continue reading Wearable AC tech for car upholstery?

Prius HVAC unit by Denso

Toyota’s fourth-generation Prius due to launch in Australia in March breaks new ground for the pioneering hybrid car in a number of areas, including a more energy-efficient automatic air-conditioning system from Denso. According to the Japanese parts supplier, the system in the new Prius uses a more efficient electric compressor and an ejector-integrated evaporator, which Continue reading New Toyota Prius AC system is 18% more efficient

Volkswagen Budd-E concept from 2016

Big automotive presence at CES highlights need for IT skills The fact that car manufacturers and suppliers are now must-see exhibitors at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) highlights the huge, high-speed collision currently occurring between transportation and technology. Take a step back from the dazzling lights in Las Vegas and the 3600-plus companies clambering Continue reading Computers on wheels in Vegas