Tag: SightGlass News Issue 8

THE first vehicles with air-conditioning systems using R744 (carbon dioxide) refrigerant are rolling off European production lines and special equipment for servicing them has hit the market, heralding the dawn of a multi-refrigerant era. At a time of industry consolidation and rapid increases in platform, technology and component sharing between automotive manufacturers, this fork in Continue reading Will R744 dominate auto-AC?

THERE is an old African proverb – “To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together.” As we approach the end of the calendar year I like to pause and reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Like most people, our year has seen many successes, a few disappointments, the odd moment Continue reading TO GO FAR

THE Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo is fast approaching and VASA members are encouraged to start making planning their trip to this must-see biannual trade show, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 April 2017. As a follow-up to VASA’s successful Aftermarket Expo debut in 2015 we will again be Continue reading ATTENDING AFTERMARKET EXPO MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE

THE first and only sealed maintenance free (SMF) battery designed and built in Australia represents Brisbane-based Century Batteries’ commitment to local manufacturing, with millions in research and development spend backed up by a $3m upgrade to its manufacturing facility. Designed for Australian conditions, the increasing electrical demands of modern vehicles and time-poor consumers who are Continue reading CENTURY BATTERIES

CARRIER Transicold has found another European supermarket to trial its R744 refrigerated trailer prototype, with German grocery chain Netto the first continental customer to give one a go. Netto’s new trailer was displayed on the Rohr stand at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover in September before entering its three year field trial in Continue reading ANOTHER R744

AUTOMOTIVE component supplier Mahle showcased a suite of technologies at the European Automotive Air-Conditioning Convention (EAAC) in Frankfurt in September,  claimed to reduce the fuel consumption of a car’s air-conditioning system by 50 per cent on average, over the course of a year. Developed in conjunction with Behr Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC), the Cool Efficiency innovations Continue reading COOL RUNNINGS

THE first public demonstration of a production-ready R744 air-conditioning system being serviced took place at EAAC 2016 in Frankfurt. Fitted to a well-worn Mercedes-Benz S350d prototype full of test equipment and the associated maze of green wiring, the R744 system was clearly made up of Valeo heat exchangers and what we suspected to be a Continue reading R744 SERVICING