Photo: Ford
As gas prices no longer seem to see $4 a gallon as a barrier, America is on the verge of losing its usual way of life if not for fuel saving technologies. Some domestic manufacturers have been slow to adopt the turbocharged engine, favoring instead hybrid technology.
But 2012 looks to be the year when downsizing and forced induction take over, and the automakers that have played their cards right will have a lot to gain. According to Honeywell, a leading supplier of turbochargers for both cars and trucks, the number of turbocharged commercial and passenger vehicles sold in North America is projected to reach 3.2 million in 2012, up from 2.2 million in 2011. Passenger vehicles account for nearly 850,000 additional turbo engines, which represents an increase of 61 percent over last year.
"With fuel prices being a significant concern for consumers and businesses, turbochargers are a smart choice for getting more miles to the gallon," said Tony Schultz, vice president for the Americas, Honeywell Turbo Technologies.
"It's a proven technology that can be used across market segments and does not put the consumer in an extended payback period like other technologies to realize its benefits. Turbocharging technology has been a fuel economy driver for decades in the United States for the on- and off-highway commercial vehicle market, as well as in global passenger vehicle markets like Europe,” Schultz adds.
Honeywell also quotes a separate report from J.D. Power and Associates, which says that sales of large 8-cylinder engines have steadily declined from 18.3% of the market total in 2008 to a projected 12.7 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, 4-cylinder engine sales are increasing from 42.7 percent in 2008 to 54 percent for the first quarter of 2012.
"With fuel prices being a significant concern for consumers and businesses, turbochargers are a smart choice for getting more miles to the gallon," said Tony Schultz, vice president for the Americas, Honeywell Turbo Technologies.
"It's a proven technology that can be used across market segments and does not put the consumer in an extended payback period like other technologies to realize its benefits. Turbocharging technology has been a fuel economy driver for decades in the United States for the on- and off-highway commercial vehicle market, as well as in global passenger vehicle markets like Europe,” Schultz adds.
Honeywell also quotes a separate report from J.D. Power and Associates, which says that sales of large 8-cylinder engines have steadily declined from 18.3% of the market total in 2008 to a projected 12.7 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, 4-cylinder engine sales are increasing from 42.7 percent in 2008 to 54 percent for the first quarter of 2012.
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