VAUXHALL INTELLI-AIR: THE PERFECT REMEDY FOR HAY FEVER THIS SUMMER

• With hay fever season underway, Vauxhall’s Intelli-Air technology can help drivers and passengers breathe easy
• Hay fever affects up to one-in-five people at some point in their lives
• Available on new Astra Intelli-Air technology actively monitors air quality and removes particulates and pollen
• Vauxhall’s activated carbon combination filters prevent pollen from entering the cabin and are available across multiple Vauxhall models 
• Sneezing while driving is a safety hazard, with cars travelling up to 20 metres in a city in the time it takes to sneeze
• More than 11,000 road collisions took place in the UK in 2021 where ‘impairment or distraction’ was a contributing factor

Vauxhall’s Intelli-Air technology will help drivers and passengers deal with hay fever this spring and summer by filtering out particulates and automatically improving air quality.

Hay fever season is underway and is estimated to affect up to one-in-five people in the UK at some point in their lives^*.

Intelli-Air: Intelligent air quality management

Available on the new Astra, Intelli-Air is Vauxhall’s innovative cabin technology that combines highly effective air and particulate filters with an air quality monitoring system. It continuously controls the state of the interior air, initiating an automatic exchange when the air becomes stale.
 

The air quality is controlled by the position of the recirculation vent. When the exterior air quality is poor, the car’s air quality sensor (AQS) closes the vent so that no pollutants can enter the car’s interior. However, if the interior air is stale or tainted, e.g. through smoking or dust on clothing, the vent opens to supply the passengers with fresher air.
 

Thanks to Intelli-Air, the interior air of the new Astra remains as clean as possible. Drivers and passengers can even see this for themselves: the system informs them of the air quality via the large colour touchscreen. It displays a car-shaped emoji that is based on the international AQI (Air Quality Index). The colour of the emoji changes according to the standard of the air in the interior. The standard of the air in the passenger compartment is monitored by a Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) sensor that can detect particulates up to 2.5 micrometre in size.
 

The technology improves safety by reducing the chances of drivers sneezing due to pollen or particulates in the car. A car can travel up to 20 metres in urban driving conditions in the time it takes a driver to sneeze.
 

According to the Department for Transport, in 2021, there were 11,434 road accidents in the UK where ‘impairment or distraction’ was a contributing factor to the collision taking place^**.

Doubling up: Activated carbon combination filters remove gases and odours
 

Intelli-Air works in combination with Vauxhall’s original particulate and activated carbon combination filters, the latter available across multiple Vauxhall models.

The filters consist of two layers and can therefore not only keep particulates at bay, but also filter out external odours and gases. Pollen is also almost entirely eliminated from entering the cabin, reducing the effects of hay fever across the Vauxhall range.
 

The quality of the filters meets the highest standards. The filter material is water-repellent, which prevents it from freezing in winter or becoming home to bacteria during warm spells. Despite the high filter performance, good air permeability is ensured. The filter should be changed once every 12 months to ensure clean interior air all year round. A filter management system informs the driver when an exchange is necessary.

ENDS

* https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/hay-fever#:~:text=It%20affects%20up%20to%201,an%20allergic%20reaction%20to%20pollen.
 

** https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#factors-contributing-to-collisions-and-casualties-ras07
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ABOUT VAUXHALL MOTORS

Vauxhall Motors started making vehicles in the UK in 1903. Today, as the oldest and most familiar of Britain’s automotive manufacturers, its philosophy is to build vehicles that are relevant to all. Vauxhall’s two manufacturing plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton produced 120,000 cars and vans in 2019, and its sales accounted for 7.5 per cent of the UK market.

Vauxhall is part of Stellantis NV, a global leader created for the new era of sustainable mobility as a result of the merger between Groupe PSA and FCA Group in January 2021. Vauxhall is a leader in electrification – as of 2021 it is one of the first manufacturers to offer fully electric versions of all its vans.  By 2024, all Vauxhall cars and vans will be available with an electrified version.  By 2028, Vauxhall has committed to only selling fully electric vehicles.  Info: www.vauxhall.co.uk

ENDS

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#factors-contributing-to-collisions-and-casualties-ras07
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Press Contacts:

Mitch Kerrison                                                            PR Manager

mitchell.kerrison@stellantis.com                           07387 133916

Matthew Bendall                                                       Head of PR, Vauxhall

matthew.bendall@vauxhall.co.uk                          07920 163 854

Jeremy Townsend                                                      Group Communications Director, Stellantis UK

jeremy.townsend@stellantis.com                          07827 896 480