Tech Blog
General Motors and partners open new plant in China
General Motors, SAIC, and Wuling Motors opened a new car plant Nov. 18 in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. The three companies are partners in SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW). It was on the JV's 10th anniversary that the first car (a Baojun 630 midsize sedan) rolled out of the new $1.28 billion, 2-million-ft2 (200,000-m2) plant. Baojun is a passenger-car brand of SGMW. The joint venture also produces Wuling-brand minivans and minitrucks at other plants. SAIC holds a 50.1% stake in SGMW, GM 44.0%, and Wuling 5.9%. Annual capacity at the new plant is 400,000 units.
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A Baojun 630 midsize sedan was the first vehicle to roll out of the new SGMW plant Nov. 18.
Renewable-fuel levels to remain in place, EPA rules
The U.S. EPA on Nov. 16 announced that it has denied a waiver of the regulation requiring the production of renewable fuels. The governors of several states, as well as other parties, had petitioned the EPA to waive renewable fuel volume requirements for 2012 and 2013 because of concerns about the effects of drought on corn production and prices. In researching the request, EPA found that the body of evidence suggests there would be no impact on corn prices if the waiver were granted. Even if there were an impact, it would be very small and fall short of the "severe harm" waiver threshold set out in the Renewable Fuels Standard. That standard calls for the production of increasingly greater amounts of renewable fuels annually over the years 2008 through 2022. The required amount of ethanol or ethanol-equivalent renewable fuel for 2012 is 15.2 billion gal (57.6 billion L) and for 2013 it is 16.55 billion gal (62.6 billion L). The target for 2022 is 36.0 billion gal (136.3 billion L).
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Iowa State University is heavily involved in renewable fuels research.
Volvo ramps up production of world's first diesel plug-in hybrid
Volvo Car Corp. says it has successfully integrated production of what it claims is the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid into the assembly line with conventional models at its Torsland Plant in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company claims it is the first to accomplish such an integration. "The integration in the standard production flow gives the plug-in hybrid buyer the possibility to choose, in principle, all options available for the standard V60," said Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corp. The assembly line was rebuilt to accommodate production of the plug-in, which features 300 more parts than the conventional car models. After the first batch of 1000 MY2013 V60 Plug-ins are built, the plant will ramp up to as many as 6000 MY2014 units, according to the company.
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Sofia Nordgren and Apichat Khongkamnoed install the high-voltage cables (orange) and the cooling system for the V60 Plug-in's battery pack at Volvo's Torsland Plant in Gothenburg, Sweden.
SAE International seeks input on CO2 as a referigerant
In response to a recent press statement from Germany that CO2 is the "right" automotive air-conditioning refrigerant, SAE International President Frank O. Klegon invites all automobile manufacturers to join in an industry collaborative effort to fully evaluate CO2 in such use. He said SAE International has unquestioned expertise in the research, analysis, and application of a variety of automotive refrigerants. In the past decade, more than 10 major SAE Cooperative Research Program (CRP) projects have provided forums for subject matter experts from around the industry to meet, discuss, and agree on advantages and disadvantages of various alternative refrigerants, as well as the management of accompanying risks. "The implementation of CO2 as an automotive refrigerant is not without technical challenges," said Klegon. The U.S. EPA has published its concerns regarding the use of CO2 as a mobile air conditioning refrigerant for passenger cars. The full EPA report can be accessed here. OEMs wishing to join a new SAE CRP to further investigate CO2 should contact Gary Pollak at 1-724-772-7196 or gary@sae.org.
Dana officer elected OESA Board of Directors Chair
Dana Chief Strategy Officer Jacqueline "Jacqui" Dedo has been elected Chair of the Board of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) for the 2012-13 term. She has been on the OESA board for more than six years, serving as Vice Chair for the 2011-12 term. As Chief Strategy Officer at Dana, she is responsible for leading the development and delivery of the company's global business plans across its four business units: Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies, Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies, Off-Highway Driveline Technologies, and Power Technologies. She serves or has served on many boards, including SAE International and Kettering University, from which she graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Previous employers include Timken, Motorola, Covisint, Robert Bosch, and Cadillac.
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Jacqueline Dedo joined Dana in 2008 after more than 20 years occupying leadership roles in the automotive industry.
SAE introduces certification for engineers involved in vehicle electrification
SAE International announced Nov. 14 that it will implement a personnel certification program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a certificate of competency or certification in the area of vehicle electrification (VE). Through a process that engaged a group of auto industry subject-matter experts, a VE body of knowledge was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions were generated to align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The VE Fundamentals and Safety Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in general electrified vehicle architectures, basic electricity and electronics, and critical safety precautions and procedures. Job roles include manufacturing personnel, procurement, sales, management, and engineering undergraduate students. This credential requires completing an online training course and passing an online exam. The VE Professional Certification level, due to launch in February 2013, is designed for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in general VE safety and all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers, technicians, and other technical personnel assigned to electrified vehicle platforms but not involved with direct design of VE systems. Passing an online exam results in certification that remains in force for three years. The VE Engineer/Scientist Certification level will launch in March 2013 and is for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in the science and design of all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers and R&D scientists engaged in focused research or product design of VE systems such as battery packs, motors, power electronics, and systems integration. Passing an online exam also results in certification that remains in force for three years.
Acquisition strengthens Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems capabilities
Lockheed Martin has acquired Chandler/May Inc., a company that specializes in the design, development, integration, manufacturing, and support of fully integrated mission critical systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and are not material to Lockheed Martin's results of operations. Chandler/May has delivered hundreds of integrated command and control shelters and portable ground control stations in support of U.S. Army UAS programs. It has produced more than 2200 UAVs, including the Desert Hawk UAV, a program for which Chandler/May is a supplier to Lockheed Martin. Chandler/May, which has facilities in Huntsville, AL, and San Luis Obispo, CA, will become part of Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors (MS2) business.
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Chandler/May Inc. has developed a fully integrated UAS, consisting of the Fury UAV (shown), SharkFin Mission & Flight Control System, and Tactical Air Vehicle Control System (TACS) ground control station.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force awards contract to SAIC
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has been awarded a contract to provide the Mine Warfare and Environmental Decision Aids Library (MEDAL) tactical decision aid in support of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) MCH-101 helicopter. In addition to providing the MEDAL software system, SAIC will be assisting with engineering and training services as MEDAL is integrated within the broader MCH-101 ground support system, being developed by NEC Corp., the prime contractor in Japan. The JMSDF is expanding the capabilities of its MCH-101 aircraft to include airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) capabilities. MEDAL will be used in the mission planning, evaluation, and command and control of AMCM missions. In addition to supporting planning and evaluation of the MCH-101 AMCM systems, the JMSDF MEDAL system will provide capability for an increased level of interoperability with the U.S. Navy. The JMSDF MEDAL is fully compatible with the U.S. Navy MEDAL system.
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The MCH-101 helicopter for airborne mine countermeasures systems will include the AN/AQS-24A mine hunting side scan sonar, the AN/AES-1 airborne laser mine detection system, and the MK-104 acoustic minesweeping system.
Lockheed Martin to help Royal Jordanian Air Force control, defend its airspace
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $26 million foreign military sales contract to modernize the Royal Jordanian Air Force's national air command, control, and communications infrastructure. Lockheed Martin will provide the Kingdom of Jordan with an integrated, real-time air picture across multiple command centers and many remote sites to better protect the country's airspace. The system, known as Omnyx, will combine sensor, voice, and data communications to provide interoperability throughout the Royal Jordanian Air Force and other elements of Jordan's armed forces. With input from radars and other data links, the system will assist in detecting incoming air traffic and also provide the capabilities needed for airspace management, air sovereignty and air defense missions. Lockheed Martin successfully fielded similar command and control systems in Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Taiwan, in addition to 10 North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries.
Mazda to build subcompact for Toyota in Mexico
Mazda will build a Toyota-branded subcompact vehicle based on the Mazda2 in Mexico beginning in summer 2015, the two companies announced on Nov. 9. To be built at a pace of about 50,000 units annually, the vehicle will be sold mainly in North America. Production will take place at a new plant Mazda being built in Salamanca, state of Guanajuato, where the Mazda2 and Mazda3 will also be built. Plant capacity was originally planned at 140,000 units annually for the Mazda products only. but will be increased to accommodate the Toyota model. The companies did not release financial terms of the deal.
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