NR sat down with Jan �kejonsson, CEO and President of Saab cars to talk about the future of Saab, cars and the environment.
Saab and its BioPower engines and cars have in Europe become synonymous with the new trend of environmentally friendly cars. "Our BioPower car is the number one environmental car in Sweden, and it was introduced close to two years ago. It outsold, for instance, the Toyota Hybrid by 5 to 1 in 2006," according to the noticeably pleased Saab CEO.Jonsson, after a couple of years of leadership, seems relaxed, with a positive, confident outlook.Saab BioPower, a flex-fuel vehicle available in both the 9-5 and smaller 9-3 models, is a premium-class car with plenty of horsepower, a combination, which makes its drivers feel good about themselves. Over 80% of all Saab cars sold in Sweden have the BioPower engine. Why is the car so successful in Sweden?Polymer as an alternativeElasticityDespite these numbers and the proliferation of cars such as the Toyota Prius, hybrids still made up only about 1% of the market in 2006. The share for environmentally friendly cars, however, is growing and by 2013, j.d. Power predicts green cars will have five percent. A wide range of hybrids entered the market this year, so why then isn't the BioPower engine available already in the U.S.? Jonsson, whose two-year post at the helm of the company isn't long enough to have had any serious impact on that particular decision, has no readily available answer."It used to be that we'd need a much larger volume to break even. After cost-cutting efforts of late, where we eliminated at least one third of overall costs, we're ready for our next leap. Saab will be one of the most efficient and productive car companies in the world. We are at present able to turn in a profit at between 150,000 and 175,000 sold cars."He started working for Saab as a Trainee in 1971, in computer systems development. "At the time, we were working with main frames that were as large as today's cars. The good thing with being part of the early development of information systems and intra-company structure was you learned the company, inside and out."BiokleenAn easy way to determine polymer quality and type is by reviewing the respective product's MSDS. An MSDS that shows a wide range of pH will be inconsistent, will likely be a vinyl copolymer blend, and if the pH is below 7 it will likely be all vinyl. An MSDS that has a range for percent solids will be inconsistent, and so will be your road.Asphalt is a thick brownish or black substance derived from the same crude oil which produces kerosene, gasoline and vinyl. It is literally scraped from the bottom of the barrel after all other petroleum-based products have been refined or processed. The tar from the crude oil is usually mixed with sand or gravel (often called aggregate) to form the finished product we call asphalt. The black tar forms a strong adhesive bond with the aggregate, which makes it durable. When used in road construction, asphalt is usually poured over a bed of heavier aggregate in a heated state, then pressed into place by an extremely heavy steam roller. Asphalt does have some drawbacks as a construction material, however. The sulphur fumes released during the heating process can be hazardous to workers and very unpleasant for passers-by. Traffic and constant exposure to the elements can cause asphalt to wear out faster than anticipated. Because the ground beneath the asphalt can repeatedly freeze and thaw, asphalt roads are susceptible to cracks and pothole formation.The first series of products that offer relief from the potential of the toxic poisoning is from a company called Earth Friendly Products. This line only uses non toxic earth friendly compounds to create a line of safe products you can feel good about putting in your carpet steam cleaner. Their carpet shampoo contains no phosphates, chlorine, petrochemicals or toxins. This is a great alternative to the traditional carpet shampoos on the market.Concrete as an alternativeIn 2007, America's auto fleet is hardly green, but it's getting greener. With seesawing gasoline prices and uncertainty about the future of oil, consumers are finally focusing on fuel economy and looking beyond big suv's for their next vehicle. A 2006 consumer survey by j.d. Power and Associates found an amazing 57 percent of respondents would consider buying a hybrid car for their next vehicle, and 49 percent would consider a car powered by E85 ethanol.PerchlorethyleneA good polymer will bond just like asphalt. Just like with asphalt sourcing for good aggregate will make your road as strong as the rock you are bonding with the polymer. Some projects use crushed rock to gain incredible bond and surface strength.For the same reason we still pump gas in cars. We often assume that science and technology will secure the continuous improvement of productivity and quality, all at decreasing expense. While noble in theory, current business practices demonstrate that we rarely maintain this never-ending path of improvements, and even resist fundamental breakthroughs due to carefully protected investments and comfortable profit margins.Where to buy the correct polymer for road paving applications?"It's a combination of the vehicle industry, the government and the consumer," Jonsson said. "The environment is definitely the number one priority in Sweden right now. The Swedish government has come up with a battery of incentives such as a 20% lower car tax, and no taxation on biofuels as well as free parking in the bigger cities. Then there are the benefits of bioethanol (E85 in Sweden) as a renewable fuel, which reduces greenhouse gas and helps us to not get dependent on petroleum."Why do we still use asphalt after 40 years?The dark color of asphalt is due to the fact that is is 80 ACRYLIC.
Saab's production processes have had a productivity development of 5% to 15% per year, Jonsson said. "All of Saab's development, all of its cars are based on social responsibility; cars have always had to be secure and functional - today, also responsible in the environmental sense: Driving Saabs should make sense in every way. And yet, at Saab we have taken our concept one step further, making sporty, progressive design and performance part and parcel of the cars' looks and driving experience as well."
Author: M�rtensson, Ulf
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