Visteon's Slip-in-Tube Propshaft Improves Fuel Economy and Safety in Rear-Drive Vehicles

Visteon's Slip-in-Tube Propshaft Improves Fuel Economy and Safety
in Rear-Drive Vehicles 


DEARBORN, Mich., June 15  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Visteon Corporation's
(NYSE:VC) patented Slip-in-Tube Propshaft is now a weight reducing, quieting
and safety enhancing feature on some of the highest volume sport-utility
vehicles in the U.S., and will be available later this year on the 2005 Ford
Mustang.

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First introduced in 2002 on the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana rear- drive
vans, Slip-in-Tube is finding broader acceptance throughout the industry.  By
the end of this year it will be found on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well
as the Mustang.  By the 2006 model year it will be found on the high-volume
mid-size sport-utility vehicles of another Visteon customer.

In manufacturing this first-to-market product, Visteon uses a Computer
Numerically Controlled (CNC) cold-rolling spline process.  This technique means
that no material -- neither the inner nor the outer tube -- is machined away. 
The process allows the tubes to slide, or telescope, in and out of each other
easily even under heavy torque.  During some durability tests, Visteon's new,
Slip-in-Tube Propshaft lasted more than four times longer than traditional
propshafts.

As the two pieces of the propshaft telescope into each other a distance of up
to eight inches, it improves the ability to absorb energy in the event of
sudden impact.  This eliminates the need for the heavier slip and stud yokes
typically required with conventional propshafts.  In addition, the telescoping
motion reduces the unpredictable Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) sometimes
associated with typical machined splined components.  The aluminum version
reduces weight by as much as 30 percent over conventional propshaft designs.

Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier that delivers
consumer-driven technology solutions to automotive manufacturers worldwide and
through multiple channels within the global automotive aftermarket.  Visteon
has about 72,000 employees and a global delivery system of more than 180
technical, manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 25 countries.


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DATASOURCE: Visteon Corporation



CONTACT:  Robin Pannecouk, [phone],  , or

Greg Gardner, [phone],  , both of Visteon

Corporation



Web site:  http://www.visteon.com/ 

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