Yesterday, Toyota announced the formation of the International Fluids Consortium (IFC) during SAE International’s virtual World Congress. Led by a group of automakers, the consortium intends to develop international automotive fluid performance specifications that will supplant those developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), European
Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO). IFC also will administer a licensing program for its specifications.

ILMA was given a confidential briefing on the IFC by Toyota last December. ILMA’s Board of Directors will be fully informed on the IFC’s structure and operation, will evaluate the IFC’s impact on our members, and will develop a position statement.

“The IFC’s goal is to accelerate the adoption of new global specifications by connecting and engaging industry experts to improve fluid performance through collaboration,” the group stated in a press release. OEMs have expressed their frustration with the time it took to develop the ILSAC GF-6/API SP performance category. At the same time, many vehicle
manufacturers are shifting research and development funds away from internal combustion engines. The IFC said it will seek to streamline specification development and adoption in an effort to keep up with accelerating advancements in vehicle technology.

Teri Kowalski, principal engineer at Toyota Motor North America, reported during the SAE congress that Toyota and four of the top 10 vehicle OEMs are involved in the IFC, though the other vehicle manufacturers were not named.

While lubricant manufacturers, oil marketers, additive makers and oil companies will be able to provide input on draft IFC performance specifications through an advisory committee that will be subject to an annual membership fee, only the OEM consortium members will decide on the final fluid specifications. In contrast, API allows any interested party to attend and participate in its engine oil service category development.

IFC intends to develop specifications for all vehicle powertrain and ancillary systems for both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. It will also manage a program to certify, license and audit approved fluids. Mike Kunselman, business development manager for the Center for Quality Assurance, serves as IFC’s program administrator.