PLYMOUTH, Mich., July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) Turbo Technologies, the leading global developer of automotive turbochargers, is providing the technology auto makers need to achieve the next generation of U.S. fuel economy standards. Honeywell turbos allow manufacturers to downsize from larger engines to smaller ones which are more fuel efficient, have improved emissions and still maintain the performance characteristics American consumers want.

Honeywell expects U.S. light vehicle turbo penetration to continue to increase dramatically. During the past year, light vehicle turbo penetration in the U.S. has gone from 6 percent to 10 percent and is expected to more than double to 23 percent by 2016. Turbocharging enables up to 20 percent better fuel economy on gas vehicles, and up to 40 percent better fuel economy on diesel vehicles, with no compromise on performance and at a significant discount to hybrid and electric vehicles.

The best-selling car in the United States for June, the Chevy Cruze, has a Honeywell turbo on three of its four variants including the Cruze Eco. The Cruze Eco delivers segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L, I-4 turbo with variable valve timing resulting in an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway. Honeywell expects to triple its daily turbo output in support of Cruze sales during the next year.

"Honeywell is a global partner to the automotive industry, and we will continue to help our customers meet any CAFE targets set in the United States," said Steve McKinley, Honeywell Turbo Technologies vice president of the Americas for Engineering. "While electric vehicles get a lot of attention nowadays for their potential, turbocharging is a credible technology available and accepted in the marketplace right now. Engine downsizing coupled with turbos is the quickest way to make a significant improvement in the overall fuel efficiency of the U.S. automotive portfolio while maintaining performance levels."

Honeywell supplies technology solutions to nearly every major auto and truck maker in the world for gas, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid engine applications. Honeywell will debut more than 100 new turbo engine applications this year alone on passenger and commercial vehicles across the globe and has more than 500 currently in its pipeline.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Honeywell