Vehicle underbody shields coming to U.S.

Ultra-Silent, an innovative fiber under-floor and under-engine shield manufactured by Autoneum Management Ltd., Winterthur, Switzerland, has only been available to European car manufacturers—until now. Autoneum will enter the North American market starting in 2015. The Ultra-Silent systems, consisting of glass-free PET fibers, are water resistant, heat resistant, recyclable and 50 percent lighter than standard plastic solutions. This can contribute to greater vehicle aerodynamics, improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, all features attractive to vehicle manufacturers being pressed to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultra-Silent also absorbs sound, reducing exterior vehicle noise, which is increasingly regulated.