General Motors vehicles first to meet California emissions standards

The ULEV-certified model-year 2000 GM cars include the Buick Park Avenue, LeSabre and Regal; Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo; and the Pontiac Bonneville and Grand Prix. They feature the naturally aspirated 3800 Series II V6 engine and will be sold in California and several Northeastern US states.

To meet the ULEV regulations, the 3800 V6 received improvements including engine calibration revision, catalyst enhancements, and the addition of an Air Injection Reaction (AIR) system. Compared to the 1999 3800 Series II V6-powered cars, the ULEV-certified 2000 models will emit about 50 percent less hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.

Under CARB’s low emission vehicle regulations, about 15 percent of the vehicles on the road in 2003 are expected to be ULEV-certified. The regulations significantly reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen.

According to CARB Chairman Alan C. Lloyd, “GM’s success with a certified high performance engine is good news for California air quality, and signifies a major step towards meeting our need for near-zero and zero emitting vehicles in the next decade.”