Sonex Announces Progress On Diesel Engine Program
19 January 1999
Sonex Announces Progress On Diesel Engine Program; Files Response to EPA Settlement With Diesel Engine Manufacturers
ANNAPOLIS, Md.--Jan. 19, 1999--Sonex Research Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board Symbol:SONX) reported that it has invoiced its first payment in connection with the first phase of a joint engine application program, begun last year, aimed at substantially upgrading a current production medium size truck diesel engine in Europe to meet future emissions standards by including the patented Sonex Combustion System (SCS) technology for the reduction of emissions in vehicular direct injected (DI) turbocharged diesel engines.Sonex also disclosed that it has submitted a proposal in response to the U.S. Government's previously announced $1 billion settlement with diesel engine manufacturers over charges that the companies used "defeat devices" that allowed their engines to emit more pollution on the road than in certification tests.
Dr. Andrew A. Pouring, CEO and founder of Sonex, said that after several years of development and demonstration work with a major international truck engine manufacturer, the Company has been participating since last summer with the engine manufacturer, its component suppliers, and an independent engine testing firm, on the first pre-production development/certification program involving Sonex technology for DI diesel engines.
The manufacturer's objective is to meet future stringent emissions limits with no exhaust aftertreatment devices such as catalytic converters or particulate traps.
Pouring disclosed that the Company's most recent design innovation for DI diesel engines is being applied in this program.
This design advance potentially improves the ability of the SCS to reduce particulate emissions at future NO (nitrous oxide) levels in a DI turbocharged diesel engine well beyond the 40% reduction attained by previous Sonex designs, while maintaining fuel consumption and power.
This engine application program will continue through this year, following which the SCS will be applied to additional engines, according to the engine manufacturer.
Sonex also commented on the recent $1 billion settlement reached by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice with several domestic diesel engine manufacturers to settle allegations that the companies used "defeat devices" for the past several years that allowed their engines to emit more pollution on the road than in certification tests in order to achieve performance benefits.
The settlement under the Clean Air Act calls for the engine makers to pay $83.4 million in civil penalties, spend $109.5 million to fund research and development in projects to lower emissions proposed by the public, and spend approximately $850 million to speed introduction of advanced anti-pollution controls on new engines and to fix the engines in medium and heavy-duty trucks on the road.
The public was given until Jan. 12, 1999 to comment on the settlement.
Sonex responded by submitting a Proposed Public Comment Project (the "Project") that contemplates a cooperative effort between the diesel engine manufacturing industry and a world class team, to be assembled and led by Sonex, to include a major university or government-funded engine research facility and a major automotive piston manufacturer.
It is the objective of Sonex to bring the domestic diesel engine industry on a par with foreign diesel engine manufacturers with respect to progress made towards the commercialization of the American-grown SCS technology.
Official reaction by the engine companies and the Government to comments and proposed projects submitted by the public is expected within the next few months; however, there can be no assurances that the Company's submission will be favorably received.
A more complete discussion of the settlement, along with excerpts from the Executive Summary section of the Company's proposed Project as delivered to the Government and the diesel engine manufacturers, is available on the Company's website at www.sonexresearch.com. or by calling the Company for a copy.
Sonex Research Inc., a leader in the field of combustion technology, has its ULTRA CLEAN BURN(TM) technology protected by numerous patents issued and pending worldwide.
The Company is pursuing licensing agreements for the marketing, manufacture and sale of diesel truck engine pistons incorporating its patented technology for the reduction of emissions in vehicular direct injected turbocharged diesel engines, and has conducted demonstration and development programs with some of the world's largest diesel engine manufacturers.
Other SCS designs are being used to convert small two-cycle gasoline engines to heavy fuel use for military and commercial applications.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may contain information in the form of "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 (the "Act").
In order to obtain the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act for any such forward-looking statements, the Company wishes to caution investors and prospective investors about significant factors which, among other things, have in some cases affected the Company's actual results and are in the future likely to affect the Company's actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements.
Investors and prospective investors should read this announcement in conjunction with the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB.
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