GE - Plastics announced a new collaboration with specialty-vehicle company ASC, - to give car buyers unique and exciting factory-installed options to suit their 'lifestyles'.

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), GE - Plastics announced a new collaboration with specialty-vehicle company ASC Incorporated, showcasing the first results of a joint effort to give car buyers unique and exciting factory-installed options to suit their lifestyles. ASC's patent-pending, bi-directional InfiniVu 'open-air' sliding-roof system, which is incorporated into a prototype minivan dubbed the ASC TriLite, features GE's Lexan* GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin for style, safety, and weight savings. This application marks the first time, worldwide, this GE technology has been showcased in a panoramic automotive roof system - a technology whose advantages include design flexibility to promote creativity and part consolidation; light weight to boost fuel economy; and impact resistance for occupant safety.

The new collaboration between GE and ASC offers ASC additional 'cutting-edge' innovations for its high-image specialty vehicles as well as its more mainstream vehicle systems, such as open-air roof systems.

'As an auto industry first, our InfiniVu bi-directional sliding-roof system called for an exceptional plastics that could meet tough requirements for high performance and design freedom,' said Paul Wilbur, ASC's president and chief executive officer.

'The materials and support from GE are critical factors in the success of this design and others to come, which will give OEMs a new way to differentiate their vehicles and offer consumers new feature choices.' The roof panels, manufactured and coated with Exatec 900vt is made by Exatec, LLC, a GE joint venture company, that gives all occupants of a minivan, SUV, or crossover vehicle the fresh-air enjoyment of a convertible combined with the safety and protection of a hard-panel roof.

For the prototype vehicle, GE's versatile Lexan GLX resin was vacuum-formed; however, in production, the resin would be injection-molded.

The Exatec 900vt coating provides protection against abrasion and scratches, as well as weatherability.

Ideal for large, complex automotive glazing applications such as the ASC panoramic roof system, GE's Lexan GLX resin can provide a number of important advantages to consumers and vehicle engineers and designers: * Lighter weight than glass for improved fuel economy - addressing environmental concerns about fuel consumption, Lexan GLX resin can reduce part weight by about 50% for better fuel economy.

The American Plastics Council reports that for each 10% reduction in the weight of a car or truck, gas mileage increases by 7%.

* Less roof weight to avoid top-heaviness - reducing weight in a typical roof system can help lower the center of gravity.

* Shatter resistance for safety - GE's Lexan resin can offer improved shatter resistance, which may potentially help reduce risk of injury.

* Toughness for intrusion resistance - an exceptionally tough material, Lexan GLX resin helps protect against break-ins.

* Design flexibility - compared with glass and other materials, GE's Lexan GLX resin offers greater freedom to create innovative designs.

Further, the GE material lends itself to part consolidation for cost savings.

* Clarity - the GE material is clear, giving vehicle occupants an unimpeded view of the sky or landscape even when the roof system is closed.

According to Derek Buckmaster, global market director, Body Panels and Glazing, GE - Plastics, Automotive, 'An important focus for GE is helping our customers offer unique designs that broaden the array of choices for consumers.

Collaborating with ASC on this first project and jointly exhibiting our technologies demonstrates the tremendous progress we are making in leveraging plastics to meet consumers' changing lifestyles.

The styling of the panoramic roof system - which is made possible with Lexan GLX glazing - offers consumers a multi dimensional view of the world with no restrictions on enjoyment.

Lightweight components like these roof systems support GE's ecomagination initiative by helping automakers reduce the amount of fuel used - and emissions given off - by cars and trucks.' GE - Plastics is developing a number of next-generation materials that will enhance the style, safety, and weight savings of other automotive components.

* About GE - Plastics -GE - Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications.

The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds.

GE - Plastics, Specialty Film and Sheet manufactures high-performance Lexan sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide.

In addition, GE - Plastics' dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting.

As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to a successful Games.

* About ASC Incorporated - ASC Incorporated is a full-service specialty-vehicle partner for automotive manufacturers, specializing in vehicle design, body engineering, composite body packages and open-air roof systems.