CVMA News Archive

New study finds maganese-based gasoline additive causes vehicle emission failures.

Ottawa, ON – 2002-07-30

The comprehensive study conducted by the Automotive Industry which was released today, confirms that the manganese-based gasoline additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), significantly raises vehicle emissions, increases fuel consumption and impairs the proper operation of vehicle emission control systems. MMT is commonly added to Canadian gasoline to increase octane.

Backgrounder including
Q&As. On the cvma.ca Web site.

Full Study Report. Link to The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Web site.

Robert Armstrong, President of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC), said, "This study confirms that MMT is detrimental to the effective operation of vehicle emission controls systems and is ultimately harmful to the environment. Action must be taken quickly to remove this additive from gasoline in Canada."

Automakers in Canada are already providing the most advanced emission control systems in the world which are capable of reducing smog-causing emissions by over 99% compared to pre-control levels when the appropriate gasoline formulations are available. Furthermore, automakers are proceeding to introduce even cleaner vehicles in the near future. The presence of MMT in gasoline will significantly reduce the environmental benefits of these advancements in vehicle technology. The Government of Canada needs to take the appropriate steps to ensure that the substantial efforts by automakers to design and build these advanced emission control systems are complemented by rigorous fuel quality specifications in the Canadian marketplace.

The CVMA has a 76 year history of representing the Canadian automotive industry’s largest manufacturers. The CVMA’s members, which include DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited, International Truck and Engine Corporation Canada and Volvo Cars of Canada Limited, account for more than 75% of all vehicle production in Canada.

The AIAMC represents the interests of fourteen member companies engaged in the manufacture, importation, distribution and servicing of light duty vehicles in Canada. AIAMC membership includes BMW Canada Inc., Daewoo Auto Canada Inc., Honda Canada Inc., Hyundai Auto Canada, Kia Canada Inc., Mazda Canada Inc., Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc., Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc., Nissan Canada Inc., Porsche Cars Canada Ltd., Subaru Canada, Inc., Suzuki Canada Inc., Toyota Canada Inc., and Volkswagen Canada Inc.

For further information, contact:

Mark Nantais
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
416.364.9333

Robert Armstrong
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada
416.595.8251, extension 24

Supporting Documents

	Backgrounder including Q&As (on the cvma.ca Web site)
	Full Study Report. (link to The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Web site)

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