Toyota encourages other Asian OEMs to help develop ILSAC GF-6

James Linden, speaking on behalf of JAMA-member Toyota Motor Corp., said that there is an opportunity to cooperate with other OEMs in Asia, as well as Europe, in the development of the next category of passenger car engine oils called ILSAC GF-6. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association or JAMA is the only Asian member of the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC). Speaking at the 17th Annual Fuels & Lubes Asia Conference in Singapore on March 10, Linden also said that the process in developing GF-6 can be improved, such as the ILSAC/Oil process can be streamlined. He said he is not 100% sure that all tests for GF-6 will be developed under ASTM. He said the Sequence VID consortium, which involved 10 companies funding the test, may not be repeated in GF-6. Fuel economy, emission systems compatibility and overall engine robustness are the key drivers for GF-6, he said. The American Petroleum Institute or API launched ILSAC GF-5 in October 2010. At least four new engine tests will have to be developed for GF-6. (March 10,2011)