Benchmark communications
Ryco to Clean Up In-Car Air Filter Market
13th September 2006
Ryco Filters has joined with the Asthma Foundation to launch a cabin air filtration system that will greatly add to the well being of vehicle occupants. The filtration system could also become an important new source of income for service and repair outlets.
According to Ryco’s chief executive officer Bob Pattison, research conducted over the past two decades has consistently found concentrations of pollutants inside the motor vehicle higher than those outside.
"In some cases these levels reach up to 10 times that of the air outside," he told MEN.
"Increasing levels of pollution and the health of vehicle occupants has been recognised by vehicle manufacturers internationally and the Australian market is set to follow this world-wide trend with approximately 805,000 vehicles already fitted with cabin air filters or with the option to have one retro-fitted."
This represents an estimated 8% of current vehicles registered, however the total number of vehicles in Australia fitted with cabin air filters is conservatively forecast to grow by more than 300,000 per year.
"This increase is as a result of vehicle manufacturers incorporating cabin air filtration into their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) design across a broader range of models plus growing consumer awareness of the health benefits provided by good air filtration," said Bob.
Cabin air filters should be changed every 15,000kms or at least once a year.
Ryco has embarked on an awareness campaign to alert motorists of this important, hidden and often forgotten filter within the HVAC system of the vehicle.
The service and repair industry also has a big role in bringing to the attention of customers the importance of regularly changing the filter.
The filter restricts the entry into the vehicle cabin of contaminants such as pollen, fungus spores, dirt, and dust, soot and exhaust gases.
Ryco filters cover over 80% of vehicles fitted with cabin air filters and the company has published a detailed wall chart to assist resellers identify the correct unit for each make and model.
Fitting instructions and technical information is also available.
"Ryco cabin air filters are engineered and manufactured to stringent specifications to perform optimally throughout the life of the filter," said Bob.
"High levels of pollution are known to trigger allergies, headaches, nausea and have an impact on driver and passenger fatigue so we recommend that this often forgotten yet important filter, hidden behind dashboards, cowls and glove boxes be replaced by the workshop at regular service intervals" he said.
Ryco's partnership will generate additional funds for asthma research and help lift awareness of how cabin air filters can assist in creating a cleaner breathing environment for people with asthma and allergies.
Pictured at the Sydney media launch of the Ryco cabin air filter range (l-r) Ryco’s David Brooks, Dominic Moran, Jackie Wright, Jeanette Lyons-McKinnon, Bob Pattison and Robin Ould CEO Asthma Foundation of Vic.
The above article is taken from Motor Equipment News (MEN), June/July 2006 Issue, pg. 4