Interiors

Honeywell, DuPont defend R-1234yf; Ford backs refrigerant studies Daimler's decision to halt use of the new refrigerant on safety concerns leads to a product defense by joint-venture suppliers Honeywell and DuPont, citing SAE studies and their own tests. Although GM is the only U.S. maker with R-1234yf cars, Ford also backs the refrigerant's use. Read full story

New interior for 2014 full-size GM trucks A significant uptick in cabin storage, new seats, and the debut of a next-generation in-vehicle connectivity system head the features list of an all-new interior on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup trucks. Read full story

Chevy offers two MyLink systems A low-cost system on the 2013 Spark and Sonic introduces Apple's Siri and $50 BringGo navigation. The 2014 Impala has upscale Cadillac CUE-derived MyLink with embedded navigation and a screen resembling a smartphone. Read full story

Developing superb HMI: How an automotive infotainment-planning team does it The key to executing great vehicle infotainment systems is so much more than designing the screen. Two experts from Altia create a scenario with an OEM customer to explain how they develop the user-interface experience. Read full story

2013 Honda Fit EV applies ‘lessons learned’ from fuel-cell Clarity The electrified powertrain, a newly developed regenerative braking system, and Bio-Fabric seating material in Honda's new Fit EV all stem from developments in the FCX Clarity fuel-cell car and other EV forebears. Read full story

Alliances boost momentum for Ethernet in vehicles The drive to move commercial technologies such as Ethernet and open source software into vehicles is gaining momentum. A number of companies are basing plans on the ubiquitous network, and two consortia recently teamed up to focus on boosting interest in using Ethernet in infotainment systems. Read full story

JumpStart-ing your engineering career Currently working on the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro, Jeremy Kearney is an Interior Design Release Engineer at General Motors Co. He also mentors GM's JumpStart Employee Resource Group and has been instrumental in organizing the Future Leader Program at SAE Convergence 2012. Read full story

Cars converse in largest-ever on-road ITS test project The U.S. government, via several of its transportation-related agencies, is sponsoring the project, which it claims is the largest-ever road test of connected-vehicle crash-avoidance technologies. Read full story

New IP process helps U.S. take lead global role for Honda manufacturing In-plant process starts at Marysville, OH, on 2013 Accord. Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. assumes responsibility for manufacturing procedures for all Honda vehicle production worldwide, as North America becomes top Honda production location. Read full story