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Fueling Eaton’s technology future Mihai “Mike” Dorobantu is Director of the Eaton Vehicle Technologies and Innovation team charged with maintaining that flow of fresh technology into the Eaton Vehicle Group. Read full story

Beware the NVH pitfalls of weight reduction Use of alternative materials offers potential mass savings up to 25% in some areas of transmission and driveline design, but potential NVH pitfalls lurk. Read full story

Bad habits resurface in OEM-supplier working relations, says 2013 study After a period of relative calm and budding partnerships, OEMs appear to be returning to the bad old habit of squeezing their suppliers over piece price. Read full story

NREL looks to reduce idle climate control loads with CoolCab Advanced insulation packages, solar reflective film, and other thermal-management technologies enable heavy vehicles to reduce idle climate control loads, as demonstrated by NREL's CoolCab project in collaboration with industry OEMs and suppliers. Read full story

Designers using GPS data for powertrains, apps, other systems Automakers are beginning to leverage integrated GPS receivers, using positional data much like input from other sensors. Integrating GPS with electric powertrain controls can conserve energy, while locational data can also enhance telematics services and apps. Read full story

Truck platoon demo reveals 15% bump in fuel economy Automated road trains such as the one demonstrated on a test track in Tsukuba City, Japan, help prove out new truck platooning technology for real-world use. Similar programs have been conducted in Europe and the U.S. Read full story

BMW i3, the inside story: what it’s made of, how it’s made The company believes that its entry into relatively high-volume electric car production necessitates a totally new design and engineering approach, with the extensive application of industrialized CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) in a totally new vehicle identity. Read full story

Intertek helping to solve the safety problem of stranded energy Stranded energy refers to the residual charge or stored energy left in a battery after an automobile accident that cannot be directly accessed but still poses a potential shock or fire hazard. Read full story

Designing sealing plugs for unused electrical connector terminals not so simple USCAR group develops small handheld test instrument using a miniature sensor to accurately measure air pressure buildup in electrical connectors. Read full story