Increased presence for SinterCast at North American International Auto Show

• Ford F150 with SinterCast-CGI engine option wins Truck of the Year award
• Ram 1500 diesel engine wins second consecutive Wards 10 Best Engines award
• New Vehicles launched with SinterCast-CGI engine options

[Detroit, 15 January 2015] - The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided several highlights for SinterCast's Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) engine technology including prestigious awards, new vehicle launches and an increased number of vehicles on display with 'SinterCast-inside'.  The SinterCast highlights include:

Ford F150 pick-up:  The all-new 2015 Ford F150 won the North American Truck/Utility of the Year award at the kick-off event of the NAIAS, held on Monday 12 January immediately prior to the opening of the show.  Highly respected throughout the industry, the honour is the only award given by an independent group of automotive journalists rather than by a single media outlet.  The Ford F150, North America's best-selling truck for the last 38 years, is available with four engine options, including the 2.7 litre V6 EcoBoost engine based on a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block.  The 2.7 litre EcoBoost V6 is the industry's first high volume CGI petrol engine.

Ram 1500 pick-up:  The VM Motori 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine, with a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block and bedplate, won a second consecutive Wards 10 Best Engines award.  The CGI diesel was one of only four repeat winners from 2014 and was the only diesel engine to receive the coveted award in 2015.  The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel also retained the best-in-class fuel economy rating in the full size light duty pick-up sector and received the Green Truck of the Year award from Green Car Journal.  

Nissan Titan XD pick-up:  Nissan launched the 2016 Titan XD pick-up with a 5.0 litre V8 diesel engine designed and built by Cummins, with a Sinter-Cast CGI cylinder block.  The Titan XD is a light duty pick-up with engine performance that is uniquely positioned between the light duty and the super duty sectors.  The V8 diesel produces 32% more torque than the nearest rival in the light duty sector, providing the towing and payload capability of a super duty truck.  Nissan estimates that approximately 150,000 pick-up buyers will be attracted by the unique positioning.  Sales are expected to begin during the third quarter of 2015.

Lincoln MKX Utility:  Lincoln unveiled the 2016 MKX crossover utility vehicle with the Ford 2.7 litre V6 CGI EcoBoost petrol engine.  The MKX becomes the third Ford family vehicle, after the F150 and the Ford Edge, to receive the CGI petrol engine.  The new MKX is expected to arrive in showrooms during the third quarter of 2015.  Additional vehicle applications are expected for the CGI EcoBoost engine.

Audi Q7 e-tron Quattro:  Audi introduced the world's first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be combined with a six-cylinder diesel engine and all wheel drive.  The 3.0 TDI engine, with a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block, produces 190 kW (258 horsepower) while the electric motor provides an additional output of 94 kW, resulting in a total system output of 275 kW (373 horsepower) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.  The Q7 e-tron is fuel economy rated at 1.7 litres per 100 km (138 mpg), emitting 50 g CO₂ per kilometer (80 g/mile).  Top speed is 225 km/h (139.8 mph).

"In addition to these highlights and launches, the 2015 NAIAS also marked the North American debut of three vehicles that are already available in Europe with SinterCast-CGI diesel engines: the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Macan" said Dr. Steve Dawson, President & CEO of SinterCast.  "This year, I count eighteen different vehicles with 'SinterCast-inside', up from thirteen last year.  In total, our records show that 48 passenger vehicles, in 19 different brands, have now been launched with SinterCast-CGI engines.  This market presence is a wonderful achievement for those who have participated in and supported the development of the SinterCast technology."

For more information:

SinterCast is the world's leading supplier of process control technology for the reliable high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). With at least 75% higher tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness and approximately double the fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron and aluminium, CGI allows engine designers to improve performance, fuel economy and durability while reducing engine size, weight, noise and emissions. With 40 installations in 12 countries, the SinterCast technology is primarily used for the production of petrol and diesel engine cylinder blocks and exhaust components for passenger vehicles; medium-duty and heavy-duty cylinder blocks and heads for commercial vehicles; and, industrial power engine components for marine, rail, off-road and stationary engine applications. SinterCast's series production components range from 2 kg to 9 tonnes, all using the same proven process control technology.  The SinterCast share is quoted on the Small Cap segment of the Stockholm Nasdaq OMX stock exchange (Stockholmsbörsen: SINT). For more information: www.sintercast.com

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