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Back Issues
| September 2008 |
Consumed by changes
Reprogramming becomes the focus of engineers as radios become multifunction head units integrating many infotainment functions.
Design insiders
Packaging, comfort, 'premiumness,' and quality are keywords in the vocabulary of car interior designers, but significant changes to interior structures could lead to a design revolution.
Accident avoidance 2.0
OEMs and suppliers are going to great lengths to ensure the proper performance of their next generation of active safety products.
Automotive policy goes to the polls
Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama stake out different positions on issues affecting the automotive industry and future vehicle engineering.
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| September 2008 |
Looking forward to safer highways
New camera technologies, along with better algorithms and software, are enabling the move to active-safety systems that warn and then take control of vehicles in dangerous situations.
Fuel-cell futures
Eager to find alternative-propulsion solutions, automakers are betting that renewed emphasis on fuel-cell vehicles will pay off in the long run, with the latest examples aiming to prove higher-volume production feasibility.
Consensus building on refrigerant type
The hydrofluoro-olefin refrigerant HFO-1234yf has emerged as Europe's favored R-134a replacement, but some prefer R-744.
Strengthening the link through software
The next generation of simulation tools could help better synchronize manufacturing engineering and product design.
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| August 2008 |
Back to the high-power future
Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto and other officials are re-engineering Toyota, borrowing elements of the past to tackle 21st-century environmental challenges.
Racing to green mobility
The President of Honda R&D, Masaaki Kato, hopes to harness the company's "racing spirit" to research and develop innovative methods to reduce the CO2 emissions of its products.
Charging ahead
Nissan's Senior Vice President, Minoru Shinohara, explains the battery technology that will allow feasible electric cars, while not forgetting to mention the GT-R supercar.
Market Genesis
Hyundai-Kia R&D Center Chief Hyun-Soon Lee has added the top market-research job at the company as it tries to quickly add more value to its products with new technologies and features.
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| July 2008 |
Motors play important EV roles
Though lithium-ion batteries grab much of the spotlight, improved electric motor technology is crucial in advancing the operation of battery, hybrid, and plug-in electric vehicles.
The quality race continues
As end-user expectations continue to rise, and pressure on engineering and manufacturing processes spiral, AEI's European Editor interviewed a number of OEM executives for their thoughts on quality and strategies for better vehicles.
The real world
Convergence 2008 will place emphasis on the challenges of determining and meeting customer needs in creating better electronic systems.
A new generation of engine efficiency
New technologies help to maximize fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and deliver market-pleasing performance.
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| June 2008 |
Finding the right niche
As technology, politics, and OEMs struggle to achieve environmental cohesion, small and niche companies are determined to ride out the maelstrom with their ability to adapt, react, succeed, and survive.
Jaguar and Land Rover shift
Access to technology and engineering takes center stage as the two brands transition from one giant parent to another as Tata takes over from Ford.
Aston Martin bonds
The company is developing closer ties with Tier 1 suppliers in its new role as an independent.
Bentley has secret CO2 plans
The company wants to combine luxury and high-performance hallmarks with massive cuts in emissions.
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| May 2008 |
Global Viewpoints: North America
In this special section, some of the North American automotive industry's top executives discuss the latest trends and their strategies for game-changing vehicle engineering and development.
Pushing the envelope
Jim Queen, GM's Vice President of Global Engineering, discusses his company's next moves in global architectures, meeting U.S. fuel efficiency standards—and his interest in really low-cost cars.
Engineering from a shared perspective
Paul Mascarenas, Ford's Vice President of Engineering for the Americas Product Development, talks about the company's new global product development process.
Creating a global footprint
Chrysler's Frank Klegon is focused on developing a new global D-segment platform and further OEM collaborations.
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| April 2008 |
LED-ing the way
Headlamps using low-power semiconductors called light-emitting diodes have moved from concept to reality with recent production firsts, but challenges remain in taking the technology mainstream.
High-value hybrids
The drive to reduce hybrid vehicle cost while boosting efficiency has brought new attention to stop-start and mild-hybrid systems.
Sustainability on a small scale
Nanotechnology is a new battleground for fighting emissions and making vehicles more environmentally friendly.
Sensors inside
Suppliers are helping OEMs enhance interior comfort and convenience.
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| March 2008 |
Internal combustion: the next generation
Homogenous combustion promises to marry diesel efficiency and torque with the refinement and emissions benefits of gasoline power—but challenges remain.
Testing for the future
Providers beef up facilities to provide clients with additional capacity and invest in new tools for greater performance.
Change is in the air (and on the ground)
Chrysler, undergoing a transformation of its own, helps shed light on issues facing the evolving automotive industry at the SAE 2008 World Congress.
What's New at SAE 2008
AEI previews some of the products, services, and technologies to be displayed at the SAE 2008 World Congress scheduled for April 14-17 at Cobo Center in Detroit.
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| February 2008 |
The right touch
Touch input and smarter knobs help drivers control a growing array of functions and devices.
NAIAS concepts
The focus was on environmentally responsible cars and alternative powertrain technologies and fuels at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Automating cavity-wax application
European standard enters the U.S. marketplace as automation of the complex operation takes over.
Product development gets leaner
Providers of design automation and product lifecycle management software tools believe they can help drive out waste from the automotive product development process.
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| January 2008 |
New engines
The editors review the engineering of six of the most significant new gasoline and diesel engines of 2008 and 2009.
Squeezing more out and in
Engineers are working on making seats lighter while offering more features.
Out with the oil, in with the new
Biomaterials begin making an impact as OEMs and suppliers explore more green options.
Visually speaking
Leading automotive designers discuss brand DNA, the future of vehicle personalization, and how their increasing involvement in platform design is changing the way they work with engineers.
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| December 2007 |
Tokyo concepts
As usual the highly imaginative group of concepts on display at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, held in late October at the Makuhari Messe, was unique among the year's auto shows. Some were tall, many were boxy, and a few very un-car-like, but most were focused on low emissions and consumption.
Style vs. strength
Software helps designers and body engineers get the most in looks and safety.
Conceiving alternatives
Recent concept cars explore solutions to fuel-supply and emissions concerns.
2007 technology in review
AEI editors look back at some of the most significant engineering and innovation stories of the past year.
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| November 2007 |
Cadillac CTS
GM's all-new global sports sedan makes no excuses in chassis dynamics, body integrity, powertrain performance, premium materials, and overall craftsmanship.
Taking control of hybrids
Software must monitor and manage many parameters while coordinating the complex operations of the engine, electric motors, and batteries.
Diesels' brave new year
Lean-NOx catalysts, closed-loop cylinder pressure sensing, and homogeneous combustion are making "50-states" diesels a reality.
Engineering from everywhere
With future growth in car and truck sales coming mainly from emerging markets, companies are realigning their engineering operations accordingly.
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| October 2007 |
After CD, what's next?
Storing music in cars remains fraught with many engineering considerations as infotainment systems move into the next generation.
Chevrolet Malibu
General Motors has enhanced its midsize architecture for a more refined and luxurious ownership experience.
Chrysler minivans
Chrysler's family haulers feature a new look and more interior flexibility to go with a host of technology upgrades.
Jaguar XF
The company's middle sedan is updated with a 21st century interpretation of traditional standards.
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| September 2007 |
Avoiding crashes through engineering
Sensor fusion and FlexRay adoption pose big challenges for active-safety systems developers.
Fuel cells power up
As the alternative-propulsion technology moves from lab to limited production, carmakers are looking for new design solutions and materials to reduce costs.
Sounds of silence
NVH analysis comes into the spotlight as traditional targets are addressed and new trouble spots are uncovered.
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| August 2007 |
Sitting pretty
Aesthetics merge with safety and ergonomics in that "simple" yet essential automotive system: the seat.
Shifting forward
Faster processors, enhanced sensors yield better transmissions with smoother gear changes.
Finishing strong
Combining high strength with formability, today's new steels support development of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles-without compromising safety, cost, or performance.
Honda builds a better FCX
The recently revealed concept car previews the ambitious and radically new fuel-cell-powered car that the company will launch and lease in 2008 in the U.S. and Japan.
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| July 2007 |
Where intelligence goes
Changes in distributed or embedded control as well as processor power are altering automotive computing hierarchy.
Electricity drives forward
Continuous advances in component design and integration are helping to overcome cost and performance obstacles.
Mass reduction-the next frontier
Automakers turn their attention to reducing vehicle weight in the quest for greater fuel efficiency.
Finding the right Formula
The University of Wisconsin-Madison won the annual Formula SAE student competition held in Michigan, beating more than 130 other teams aiming to conceive, design, and fabricate the best, small formula-style racing car.
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| June 2007 |
Spoilt for choice
The auto industry's options list includes biofuels, hydrogen, hybrids, fuel cells, and batteries-but will it be all, or nothing at all?
Shifting into active mode
The focus is moving away from passive safety systems with an emphasis on driver alerts and collision avoidance.
Six, seven, eight-the great gear debate
Transmissions are gaining gear ratios as OEMs search for more fuel efficiency and refinement.
Winning on warranty
On the eve of J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study release for 2007, automakers talk about metrics of success.
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| May 2007 |
Global Viewpoints North America
North American automakers and suppliers know that moving the ball forward technologically is their best bet for survival, if not success. In the special section on the following pages, some of the automotive industry's top executives discuss the latest trends and their strategies for game-changing vehicle engineering and development.
The light stuff
LEDs and LCDs win big as instrument-panel appearance moves into the spotlight.
Car of Tomorrow's day arrives
After a protracted gestation stretching over seven years, NASCAR's much-anticipated template for the cars that will race going forward debuted among much publicity and anxiety at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee in March.
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| April 2007 |
Lexus LS 460: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2007
The fourth generation of Lexus' global flagship sets new standards in engineering, technical innovation, refinement, and workmanship.
Adding foresight
Radar and cameras will work together to help drivers avoid accidents.
Hot off the grid
New interest in plug-in hybrids has sparked intense R&D in battery chemistries and systems integration.
Digital developments
Ever-improving computer-based tools are helping engineers complete more complex designs in shorter time frames with downsized staffs.
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| March 2007 |
Cars become more understanding
Software and hardware advances are enabling voice-recognition technologies to rise to industry challenges.
Seeing green
Environmental and cost benefits are driving the auto industry to adopt materials derived from renewable sources such as soybeans and corn.
Emissions rules keep labs humming
As long as there are regulations, engineers and technicians will be busy running tests in laboratories.
Wanted: Broader knowledge, new skills
Continuous learning is a must for engineers to meet greater technology and productivity challenges-and boost their own marketability.
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| February 2007 |
Plugging into Detroit
Efficient, eco-friendly hybrid concepts, in "conventional" and plug-in forms, headlined January's North American International Auto Show, but a majority of the debuting concept vehicles boasted large-capacity V8, V10, or V12 engines aimed at ultimate performance.
Putting the pieces together
Product lifecycle management tools and processes help speed automotive product development.
Promoting from within
After serving a three-year term as Vice President- Automotive, Rich Schaum, Chrysler's former product development chief, becomes the new face of SAE International.
Creating the Bin-5 Diesel
Progress made in lean-NOx trap technologies helps make engines a viable option for U.S. light-duty diesel market in 2009.
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| January 2007 |
Ford widens diesel gateway
As the popularity of the diesel in Europe continues to soar, Ford, in collaboration with PSA, is further expanding its Diesel Center's production in the UK. Phil Lake, Ford of Europe's Chief Engineer, Diesel Engines, gives AEI a tour of the facility and the technology.
California dreaming
Forward-thinking West Coast automotive design studios ponder recyclable cars, predetermined vehicle lifespan, and a reduced carbon footprint as part of the third annual Los Angeles Design Challenge.
Sweeping changes, tough decisions
Global competition, corporate restructuring, and common product platforms are forcing automotive engineers to rethink their current jobs and professional futures.
Consumer electronics solutions
Wireless technologies, networking alternatives vie for acceptance as the auto industry scrambles to keep up with consumer demands for infotainment options.
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