Champion Introduces Two New Products to Keep the Interior of Your Diesel Truck Looking Good

Truck owners have a range or priorities. For many, performance at any cost is top-of-mind. Others delight in making their machine look the best it can be. This is why Diesel Motorsports and other event sponsors have both performance challenges -- dyno, tractor pulls, races -- and Show 'N Shine competitions. What follows is a recent announcement regarding two new products designed to help keep your vehicle looking as stunning as it can be. 

(Clinton, MO / 08.20.21) Champion Oil, a recognized leader in specialty lubricants, has recently announced two new appearance products: Interior Detailer Spray (Part #4527) and Fabric Cleaning Foam (Part# 4529). 

Champion's safe and easy-to-use Interior Detailer Spray is formulated to protect and shine vinyl and plastic surfaces of your vehicle interior. Covers hard to reach areas. Cleans, Shines & Protects Vinyl and Plastic in one easy step. Professional use formula, fast drying shine. Not for use on rubber surfaces. Cherry scented. 4527K – 12/12 oz.

Interior Detailer Spray contents include: Propane, Butane, Hexane, Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated light, Siloxanes and Silicones, di-Me, 2-Propanone, Cyclohexane, Heptane, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-diethyl Ester, Solvent Naphtha light Aliph. Flash point: -104.4 °C, Initial Boiling Point- Estimated 56.05 °C. Aerosol.

Champion Fabric Cleaning Foam is an effective and easy-to-use fabric cleaning foam formulated to quickly penetrate soiled carpet areas - while leaving a wintergreen scent. Removes soils from upholstered fabric while not soaking in. Can be used on velour, cloth, and carpets - leaving a “like new” smell. Cleans and Scents in One Easy Step. Professional use formula designed with no residue. 4529P – 12/19 oz.

Champion Fabric Cleaning Foam contents include- Butane, Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, Alcohols C9-11 Ethoxylated, Propane, EDTA Tetrasodium Salt. Flash point: -103.3 °C, Initial Boiling Point- Estimated 100 °C. Aerosol.

About Champion Brands, LLC
Champion, a PLZ Aeroscience Company, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information call Champion at 660-890-6231 Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO visit championbrands.com

About PLZ Aeroscience
PLZ Aeroscience is a leader in specialty aerosol and liquid product technologies. PLZ specializes in the development, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of a comprehensive line of contract fill, branded and private label products. PLZ has a robust and proprietary portfolio of products in household cleaning, personal care, food service, maintenance, specialty and industrial, and automotive. For more information, visit PLZAeroscience.com

About Pritzker Private Capital
Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products, services, and healthcare sectors. The firm’s differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.

Detroit May Have an EV Future But Diesel Is Still Alive and Well

The popularity of full-sized diesel pickups remains strong.

Earlier this month the president signed an executive order to have 40 to 50 percent of all cars to be electric by the end of the decade. GM and Ford anticipate that this will happen, but they also recognize that the demand for full-sized gasoline and diesel pickups is as strong as ever among consumers. 

Reuters released a story on Monday that stated the industry expects to build 3.3 million full-size pickups and SUVs this year in North America, virtually all gasoline or diesel powered. The demand is strong and will likely continue throughout the decade.

The popularity of big trucks may mystify some, but is no surprise to others. Lawmakers and pundits pounce on gasoline and diesel trucks as massive polluters, even though great strides have been made to reduce emissions and develop more fuel efficient engines.

The big three automakers issued a joint statement on August 5 regarding their "shared aspiration" to meet the president's 2030 target. "That goal would mean boosting annual North American output of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to 7 million vehicles or more," wrote Paul Lienert, author of the Reuters piece.

The article's main thrust seems to be that the rate at which the automakers are rolling out EVs will be significantly less than intentions of the projected target. "The entire industry, however, is planning as of now to build just 2.6 million battery electric vehicles (BEV) and another 585,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in 2028, according to AutoForecast Solutions (AFS), which compiles production estimates that are widely used across the industry."

All forecasting is a tricky business, in part because there are so many variables at play. Based on current projections by the automakers, AutoForecast Solutions (AFS) states that EVs will account for 15% of production, and hybrids another 3.4%. EPA is projecting a similar but slightly smaller number.

It's not that there's an inability to make more EV vehicles. What's missing is demand. There's simply a lack of demand for battery powered cars, and to stay in business manufacturers must. build products people are willing to pay for. 

Ford has repeatedly reiterated that 40% of its global volume will be battery-electric by 2030. GM has stated again that it plans to eliminate tailpipe emissions from light-duty vehicles by 2035. The reality is that trucks and SUVs are in high demand and consumers are willing to pay premium prices for them. 

The article ends with a note about the 2021 semiconductor shortfall, which has been a headache for automakers. Demand is there but dealerships can't get enough vehicles to fill their lots.

Here's the article, along with some informative charts to make it visual.
Detroit sticks with trucks, SUVs despite lofty 2030 goals for EVs

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) -- What Is It and Why Is It Necessary?

In December we discussed DEF and its role in today's enviro-sensitive times. At the end of July a similar story by Kyle Hyatt was shared on a Road/Show podcast. It's an important subject and worth visiting again. In fact, the title suggests it's more important than ever.

Diesel has been on the receiving end of a lot of bitter barbs in the past, chiefly due to the black exhaust associated with older diesel trucks and buses. Things have changed significantly, however. As is well known, the black-smoke-belching smokestacks of Pittsburg stank the city a century ago are long gone and its beautiful, vibrant hills encircle it today. In the same way, diesel vehicles have been undergoing a image renovation, making diesel viable for years to come.

According to Hyatt, 2010 was a critical year for long-haul truckers and fleet managers when the EPA mandated the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in diesel engines. The reason this development was unsettling is because what makes SCR work is a consumable called diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). This would not only add cost, but also add an added maintenance step. Not the end of the world, but t would be an additional inconvenience.

Things turned out better than expected, however. Instead of resisting change, engine manufactures embraced it and found they could continue to make reliable engines. Not only that, the new technology that was incorporated reduced emissions so much that topping off the DEF now and then wasn't such a hurdle after all.

In the next section of the article Hyatt explains how the SCR works and the role of DEF to make it happen.

He begins by noting that selective catalytic reduction isn't new. It's actually been around for half a century, initially used to reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants. The primary pollutants were nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are also the problem with diesel combustion.

The author goes into detail on how SCR works. First, exhaust gas must be filtered to remove soot and ash. Then the exhaust gas flows past a nozzle that sprays DEF into the stream of gases. (DEF is primarily water and urea, which you can read more about here.)

The hot exhaust gas and DEF enter the catalytic converter where a chemical reaction takes place, magically converting the nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and water. You may recall from your chemistry class in high school that the air we breathe is nearly 80% nitrogen. In short, it's gas that is harmless to our environment. 

The details are oversimplified here but will give you a sense of the chemistry and technology involved. It's a variation of what a car's catalytic converter does. Hyatt states that "Most modern diesel engines use SCR in combination with exhaust gas recirculation and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce emissions."

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is now used  in nearly all modern ICE engines as a means of eliminating unburnt fuel. But this process also has handicaps and engine manufacturers are striving to find the right balance between EGR and SCR. The target is the elimination of emissions in a manner that doesn't hamstring performance and fuel economy.

Are there any downsides to DEF? You might think the hassle factor and cost are downsides, but since you only need to refill the tank about as often as you change your oil, that's not much of an inconvenience. As for cost, it's not really expensive.

Because of the increased implementation of this technology it is helpful to understand why it has been adopted and how it works. Emissions systems are becoming increasingly critical. According to the WSJ today, the current stimulus package includes a section in which every public company in the U.S. might be required to report climate information such as emissions and greenhouse gases related to their products and their climate risks. 

Near the end of this story Hyatt states that the achievements in diesel will prod U.S. truck manufacturers to offer more diesel models in traditionally gasoline-dominant market segments. We've already reported on some of this.

The author sums up his story with this observation of note:

"Where DEF really becomes critical is in big diesel engines. We don't mean like your Cummins 6BT, we're talking Class 8 semi-trucks. These vehicles do millions of miles over their lifespans, and their massive diesel engines go through a lot of fuel in that time. These vehicles go through a lot of DEF as you might imagine, so at truck stops, DEF is sold at the pump."

You can read the full account here: 

What is diesel exhaust fluid and why is it more important than ever?

1950s Bread Truck Transformed Into Diesel-Powered Low-Rider

Our editors are on vacation, so we're posting some of our favorite stories from the previous year which we thought worth repeating. This story first appeared in November.

Remember the good old days when a milk man delivered your milk, a bread truck delivered fresh bread and the ice cream man drove down your street with your favorite popsicles? Ever wonder what happened to those old ice cream trucks and other delivery vehicles?

One such truck was displayed last November at SEMA360, a 1950s bread truck that has been transformed from "just another vintage truck" into a diesel-powered lowrider. Brett Foote wrote the story for Ford Authority, an online site sharing Ford-related news. 

His opening line tells the story. "To us, there's nothing cooler than an old commercial truck repurposed as a hot rod." Even more cool is that it's a diesel. And cooler than that: it's a lowrider. "There’s just something undeniably awesome about former workhorses from another era being fitted with modern suspension components, big, powerful engines, and of course, awesome visual updates." 

The team that produced this tricked out 1950 Ford Bread Truck was Pot O' Gold Kustoms  out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. When you check out their site you'll be impressed by their versatility, doing all manner of swaps, diesel conversions and even sheetmetal work. 

The truck had been on display last week at the virtual SEMA360 show, SEMA's substitution for their usual weeklong Vegas Show. Foote describes the details of the project build, which includes a Mustang II suspension. (Lee Iacocca's Mustangs were introduced at the 1964 World's Fair, weren't they?) 

Mustangs were a 1960s innovation, but L.A.'s "Lowrider Culture" began as early as the 40's, so a lowrider bread truck might not be so out of place as you'd think. At least, in L.A.

Other features of the build include massive Detroit steel wheels "wrapped in equally large rubber," disc brakes, and that Cummins 4BT four-cylinder diesel engine. You can find the rest of the details here.

* 

For what it's worth, Ford Authority is looking for more staff. A writer, an editor and a curator. They pay well, if you've got the chops.   Go to the article link above and you'll see it listed.

In addition, since they love writing about Fords, the word is out that if you have a vehicle build and would like it featured on Ford Authority, they's like to hear about it. Details here.

Related Links
30 Vintage Photos of Bread Trucks
Photos of this tricked out Pot O' Gold Bread Truck

Motor State Distributing Offers Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil

Motor State Distributing, headquartered in Watervliet, Michigan, offers the complete line of Champion Motor Oils, Chemicals, Additives, and Lubricants including Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oils.

“It is extremely important for Champion to identify a wholesale partner that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide our customers with first class service, support and distribution,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of the Racing and Performance Division for Champion Oil. “Motor State clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to distribute our motor oil, chemical, additive and lubricant line in key enthusiast demographics, applications, and strategic markets.”

“Celebrating over 55 years in business, Motor State Distributing has set the pace for worldwide distribution of high-performance automotive components for diesel, racing, street, and off-road use; the standard for fast shipping, customer service, and technical expertise”, added

Dedolph.

With a huge selection of performance truck, tractor, Jeep, and off-road parts and accessories, Motor State is a great source for many of the most recognized and sought-after brands in the industry. From convenience accessories to complete suspension systems, they stock a wide range of customization and restoration components for both classic and late model trucks and SUVs.

Motor State offers their industry-leading line of high-quality products to speed shops, auto parts merchants, machine shops, and chassis and engine builders. Their web site has been designed as a resource for dealers. For more information about Champion Blue Flame Products visit http://www.motorstate.com/ or at their corporate office located at 8300 Lane Drive, Watervliet, MI 49098 - 800-772-2678

Looking for Diesel Accessories?

Here’s a FREE Digital Diesel Builder’s Guide, compliments of Diesel World Magazine.  

Diesel World Magazine offers complete coverage of diesel-powered vehicles including trucks and diesel-powered cars. 

They also have a YouTube Channel that we hope develops further in 2021.

Diesel World Magazine is now available on Apple Newsstand, Google Play and Kindle. Get your favorite issues now or get a deal on a subscription at:

http://engagedmediamags.com/magazine-subscriptions/automotive/diesel-world

 

To get The Ultimate Builder’s guide from Diesel World Magazine, CLICK HERE.

Do you have a favorite Diesel Publication you'd like us to tell your friends about? Leave a comment below and we will share.