As part of an ongoing technical partnership, Dow Automotive, a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company and its affiliates (Dow), will supply Volkswagen of America, Inc. with its advanced diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology for Volkswagen's first diesel-powered assault on the SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race on November 20-23. 

In June 2007, a Volkswagen Touareg TDI clean diesel won its class in the Baja 500. For the 1000 event, the company has created a purpose-built Touareg TDI with an eye toward overall victory. It will compete in the Trophy Truck class with Baja veterans Mark Miller and Ryan Arciero sharing the driving duties.

"Perhaps now more than ever, racing reflects many of the same needs we find in production vehicles," said Dow Automotive President Peter Sykes. "Low mass plus high durability and performance are all part of the design brief for nearly every component and the Dow Automotive DPF gave Volkswagen just what they needed for their Touareg clean diesel racing program."

As a proving ground for production applications, racing events like the Baja 1000 offer extremes of temperature and vibration that might occur over several years in a passenger car and compresses them into a few hours. While the Dow Automotive DPF has achieved multiple victories in endurance sports car racing, the cooperation with Volkswagen will be a first in the harsh off-road racing environment of Baja. 

Dow Automotive's advanced ceramic material (ACM) substrate plays a key role in its DPF by providing four important advantages:  A combination of gas permeability, catalyst coatability, filtration efficiency and substrate strength translates to improved fuel economy through low back pressure, superior emission control and high durability. The efficient ACM substrate also means a smaller overall package can be achieved than with other commercially available DPF systems. 

These qualities give automotive design engineers more freedom and possibilities to improve their vehicles. With new or pending introduction of clean diesel vehicles in the U.S. market, and more specifically in California, Volkswagen, Audi and other manufacturers are seeking effective solutions to their diesel emission system requirements.

"The level of interest in clean diesel technology has certainly increased in recent months, in both normal passenger car use and motorsport applications as well," said Clark Campbell, motorsports manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "We're taking big steps with our own clean diesel efforts and the Dow Automotive DPF offers desirable qualities for both racing and production applications."

Advancing DPF technology is one of two major Dow Automotive development programs underway in motorsports. In the other initiative, Dow Automotive is the sole provider of energy absorbing foam to NASCAR. The company's IMPAXX™ energy absorbing foam is mandated for use in every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car chassis to provide increased driver safety in side impact collisions.

About Dow Automotive

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demand for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, sealers, glass bonding systems, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centers, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

About Volkswagen of America

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com.