BorgWarner will begin manufacturing advanced engine timing chains at its campus in Itatiba City, Brazil, in late 2015 in a move it claims make it the first automotive supplier to produce chains locally in Brazil for the South American market.
The company says its chains are more durable than belts and are designed to optimise engine efficiency for better fuel economy, lower emissions and improved performance. The company’s expansion in Brazil will “support a major light vehicle programme with one of the country’s top automakers”.
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“Today, over 80 percent of light vehicle engines in South America use belts. Already proven in other markets around the world, chains last the lifetime of the engine, require less space under the hood and are more durable, especially in today’s high-power engines. Many automakers in the region are recognizing the advantages and moving from belts to chains,” said Joe Fadool, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Morse TEC.
“In South America, we expect demand for engine timing chain to grow from 18 percent of light-duty engines today to 55 percent in 2019. With our latest expansion in Brazil, BorgWarner’s products support automakers’ efforts to comply with the country’s INOVAR-AUTO regulations and offers our customers localised production along with over 100 years of expertise in chain-driven engine timing systems.”
