Product Management

DuPont launches global automotive-innovation centers The six facilities being rolled out through 2013 enable DuPont's 9500 engineers and scientists to collaborate more quickly and effectively with the global automotive industry as well as academia and government partners. Read full story

Boeing gets 787 interior ‘right first time’ To achieve "right first time” successes, the Boeing Interiors group departed from the norm and used an automotive tool to reduce installation times from 3500 to 232 h on the 787. Read full story

Heavy on the lightweighting Weight reduction is already a significant consideration in companies’ product development efforts, and the emphasis is only going to increase in the years ahead, according to SAE-member survey respondents. Read full story

Ford emphasizes technology and new models for Europe New multidiscipline technologies, pursuit of enhanced quality, and aggressive engineering solutions to downsizing and environmental challenges are the stuff of Ford under the stewardship of CEO Alan Mulally, and that was the message he took to Europe. Read full story

Local Motors uses crowdsourcing to involve many developers The power of Web communications and the capabilities of modern design tools from the likes of Siemens PLM are being leveraged by Local Motors in crowdsourcing the design of vehicles and their components. The company is also using what it calls micro-factories to produce the designs and providing its services to other companies. Read full story

GM and Ford join forces on AT development GM and Ford will again collaborate on transmission development, building on their great success with the GMF (6T70/75) and 6F 6-speed automatics. Read full story

Engineering Ram’s leading-edge driveline Planning and close supplier collaboration were keys, said Chrysler VP Mircea Gradu. Read full story

Navistar’s take on ComVEC, next-gen diesels Navistar is providing the executive leadership for this year’s SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress, taking place in Rosemont, IL, on Oct. 2-3. Ramin Younessi, Group Vice President, Product Development, Navistar Inc., discusses how the Congress is shaping up and the company’s future product plans incorporating the next-gen ICT+ (in-cylinder technology plus) system, which adds urea-based aftertreatment to its EGR technology. Read full story

GM engineers hail move to kill VLE position, say 'faster PD' will result GM’s recent action to streamline its product-development process by eliminating 20 executive jobs is being praised within the automaker’s vehicle-engineering ranks. Read full story