Honeywell, the US-based world technology and manufacturing giant, is stepping up efforts to promote green diesel technology among Chinese automakers.

The advanced engine technology has been widely adopted by automakers in Europe, where emission regulations are among the world's most stringent.

Honeywell is set to become "biggest first" in initiating the green diesel drive in China and is well positioned to help carmakers here produce fuel-efficient and cleaner cars that can efficiently compete for a larger share of the huge market.

The company has a long history in China that dates back to 1935. Honeywell has gone on to establish a sound foothold in China since 1983.

Its well-established partnership with the government and local industry, deep understanding of customer requirements, unmatched technology leadership and commitment to clean energy and better environment have all laid a solid foundation for Honeywell's current promotion campaign here.

The campaign

Honeywell China Co Ltd, the All-China Environment Federation (ACEF), a top non-government organization (NGO) in the field of environmental protection, and China Daily, a leading English-language media group in China, signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing last week, announcing a collaboration to help the country build an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly society.

The three pledged to team up to support the Green Diesel Initiative, a group of automotive-related companies dedicated to China's goals of sustainable development and environmental protection through the promotion of diesel technology and high-quality fuels, and enforcement of performance-based emission regulations.

These joint efforts are an important part of Honeywell's initiatives in raising public awareness of state-of-the-art technology, given the nation's growing energy and environment concerns.

"In Europe, more than 50 percent of passenger cars registered last year were equipped with diesel engines and almost 100 percent commercial vehicles were diesel powered," Shane Tedjarati, president of Honeywell China Co Ltd, said, "Honeywell vows to help China gain an equal footing in the fast growing energy-efficient auto industry."

"Honeywell's commitment will significantly lessen the nation's energy thirst and help the country cope with environmental pressures," said the president.

Honeywell enjoys the advantages of a long history, established presence, and present partnership with an influential NGO and media group, as well as its commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment.

Observers believe the nation's growing environment and energy awareness will contribute greatly to the success of Honeywell's pioneering efforts.

National conscience

Premier Wen Jiabao said early this month during the recently-ended fourth session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) that one of his top concerns for the nation's development is that some environmental protection targets for the 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-05) were not fulfilled.

"During the 11th Five-Year Guidelines period (2006-10), we have mapped out higher environmental protection targets: energy consumption should be reduced by 20 percent and pollutant discharge should be lowered by 10 percent," he said.

Echoing the nation's strategy for the next five years, the ACEF, whose voice has been growing stronger both home and abroad, submitted a proposal to the NPC to adopt green diesel in China. This has been well received by experts, the public and the country's media.

Environment and energy awareness are also being reflected in the nation's industrial development policies. For example, the government ruled out curbs on low-emission economical cars since the beginning of this year.

Rising consumption taxation on large-emission vehicles is also a case in point.

The Ministry of Finance announced last week that consumption taxes on passenger vehicles with engine capacity larger than two liters will be lifted to a maximum of 20 percent from 8 percent starting April 1. At the same time, levies on cars with engine capacity between 1 and 1.5 liter will be cut to 3 percent from 5 percent.

This means more potential buyers of big cars will now focus on smaller and less-emissive cars and automakers will shift production strategy towards smaller cars.

"All this brews great opportunity for Honeywell's green diesel promotion in China," said Tedjarati.

(China Daily March 27, 2006)