Infineum Trends2001 Continues Examination of Lubricant's Future.

To those who have not seen an Infineum Trends presentation, be aware that much of the power of the information lies in the man who serves as its organizer and orator: Infineum's Jim Newcombe. Newcombe's role as industry liaison gives him unparalleled access to the automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), just as his employment at one of the world's largest petroleum additive companies gives him a unique perspective of the lubricants industry. Active in all the major organizations dealing with automotive lubricants--the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American Chemistry Council, and more--Newcombe develops an elaborate and evolving program about the automotive market and its effects on the lubricants industry. Trends is now in its 39th annual version.

This year, Newcombe shared Infineum Trends2001 with attendees at the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association's (ILMA) MidYear Meeting in Vancouver, BC. The message came though loud and clear that OEMs are moving in many directions--sometimes in tandem, but often not. How the …