International. Thirteen major automakers are participating in new research into the suitability of new R1234yf refrigerants for car air conditioning.
This will be the fourth research program conducted by SAE International, the global partnership with more than 128,000 engineers and experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries, and has been motivated by German automaker Daimler's rejection of the new coolant over the safety issue.
Daimler joined Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, PSA, Renault and Toyota in the Cooperative Research Program (CRP).
SAE International's last three session papers on R1234yf began in 2007 and concluded three years later with the determination that the refrigerant can be used safely in vehicles designed for this purpose, considering it as an alternative that meets the needs of the environment and the consumer.
But in September this year, Daimler questioned the safe use of R1234yf, based on tests on its most recent vehicles. SAE International is working to resolve the matter and said it will issue interim reports as well as a final statement concluding the CRP's activities.
