By David Sedgwick, Crain News Service
DETROIT (Jan. 3, 2013) — General Motors Co. is sticking with its decision to introduce a new, more environmentally safe refrigerant in its vehicles despite claims by Daimler A.G. that it may cause fires in an accident.
A GM executive said GM conducted additional crash tests plus computer simulations after the German auto maker raised questions about the refrigerant HFO-1234yf, made by Honeywell International Inc. and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
In August, Daimler engineers simulated a crash test and found that a mix of refrigerant and oil from the compressor could be ignited by the hot surface of the engine, creating a toxic gas.
But Curt Vincent, GM's engineering manager for new refrigerants, disputes Daimler's claims.
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This report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based companion publication of Tire Business.Click on the link to see the rest of the story.