AAM/AIAM Fleet Test Program: Analysis and Comments

In July 2002, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association released the results of a 6-year, two-part vehicle fleet test program to determine the effects of methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT^®*) on vehicles equipped with state of the art emission control systems. Analysis of the data reports from this study shows that all of the vehicles met applicable emission standards, even though the fleet accumulated mileage under very severe conditions that accelerate degradation of vehicle emission control systems in excess of that expected from actual vehicle mileage. The study also demonstrated that gasoline-containing MMT had no adverse impact on vehicular emission control equipment. When the data were analyzed using the same criteria that EPA and the auto industry use to verify the in-use performance of emission control equipment, all vehicles using either MMT or base fuel met the most stringent performance criteria. These results directly contradict conclusions drawn by the authors of SAE Paper 2002-01-2894 and the sponsors of the AAM/AIAM/CVMA study.