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Truck Tech War! Ford, GM, and Ram arm their profit-pumping half-ton pickups for the 2020s' efficiency battle. Mobility mecca: WCX 2018 Provocative thought leaders, emerging disruptors, and the industry's best networking and career guidance all under one big roof: the 2018 SAE World Congress Experience is coming April 10-12. Mercedes adopts Harman UX for A-Class The 'smart' architecture is capable of OTA updates and features more-accurate voice recognition. Spark of genius Mazda's Skyactiv-X-the nexus of gasoline and diesel tech-remains on track for 2019 production. We test-drive recent prototypes to check development status. Taking aim at the drowsy-driver threat Hyundai Mobis is leveraging Level 4 tech to move 'departed' drivers safely off the road. Editorial: Fear and loathing on the path to Level 4 driving Supplier Eye Variability, risk and the value stream The Navigator How will automated vehicles deal with potholes?

Making virtual vehicle design a reality A new virtual design approach for commercial vehicle concepts allows for purposeful design and integration of new concepts and technologies on the component level in an existing product portfolio, while not neglecting the need for standardization and modularity.

Future testing of active safety systems To speed up the introduction of active safety systems, efficient standardized test programs are needed, including alternatives to test-track testing. Engine management on a budget Tata Technologies engineers at the recent SAE Convergence event provided an inside look at how they developed the Nano's low-cost EMS and reduced development time and cost with extensive use of modern tools. Racing for the green Changes are coming to Indy Car and Formula One to focus on green technology that applies to production vehicles. Taking strides together SAE 2011 World Congress host company General Motors touts teamwork as a way to expand industry knowledge and encourage energy efficiency.

CO2 changing focus The global economic crisis could trigger novel engineering solutions and the need for comprehensive testing. ZEVs, fuel cells, and high-tech engines Only 10% of cars on Europe's roads by 2020 may be zero-emissions vehicles, but Mercedes-Benz is supporting future ZEV and other advanced technologies with an undiminished R&D budget. Warning signs Design and engineering lead-time tightening may be strangling innovative thinking, says Royal College of Art's Harrow. The decade ahead Renault anticipates that a majority of its powertrains will be downsized to the 0.9- to 1.2-L range and that electric cars will appeal to 30% of the buying public. Automatic for the people Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience.

Carbon fiber gets bigger footprint Manufacturers strive for the Holy Grail of composites manufacturing: consistency and repeatability. Safety on the floor Once add-ons that brought almost as many problems as benefits, safety techniques are now being designed into equipment before start-up. Taking measures of the machine New requirements and technologies advance the art of test and sensing. Looking, listening, recording, analyzing HUMS is established as an integral part of aviation's safety network, but more standardization is needed to broaden its effectiveness.

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? Moving eastward The automotive industry spreads and grows, suppliers move to east Europe, environmental issues are crucial--and the companies survive that get everything right. Hands-on solution to reduce emissions Literally driving the environmental necessities home may support technology in engines old and new. Cutting emissions: more answers than questions The European auto industry is struggling with alternative fuels and emissions reduction programs, but potential solutions are many and varied--any may become even more so. Hydrogen, the IC engine, and the future It may be the fuel of the future, but views vary about how hydrogen should be used.

Lighting the way Exterior lighting systems are not just contributing to safety, they are also changing cars' styling. Sensing a change As sensor use grows, providing input for all sorts of functions, engineers are responding to the design challenges through standardization and shared use of signal output. Attacking hybrid cost Hybrid-electric vehicle costs must be slashed significantly for the technology to become mainstream. HEV developers reveal many routes in the cost-reduction crusade. Engineering with the enemy In a program devoid of bloodshed, General Motors and Ford codeveloped a new six-speed automatic that is key to both companies' future vehicle plans. The program managers explain why they'd eagerly do it again. Drivetrain advances Japan's leading companies have focused development on reducing size, mass, and cost.

Body assembly Automakers cut sheet metal and weld bodies as precisely as possible to lay the foundation for good overall vehicle quality. Handling the ride Delivering a balance between ride and handling has traditionally been a challenge for suspension designers, but suppliers of different technologies are showing how compromise may not be the only solution. Brilliant displays Liquid crystal displays and light-emitting diodes are helping to enable bright, reconfigurable screens. Performance from within Automakers gild profit margins and polish reputations with in-house high-performance divisions. Hybridized SUVs A redesigned hybrid drivetrain gives Toyota's V6-powered SUVs--the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h--V8-like performance and compact-class fuel economy while achieving the most stringent SULEV emissions standard. Automatic upgrade Toyota's hybrid system gets a transmission overhaul for SUVs.

Success by design Toyota is working to differentiate itself from the competition by continually evolving its unique design philosophy. China overcapacity overstated? Automakers and suppliers are taking a "build it and they will come" approach to capacity in China. Challenges aplenty in China From an underdeveloped infrastructure to insufficient policing of intellectual property rights, government and industry leaders in China are dealing with a multitude of challenges--and opportunities--as vehicle sales soar. Testing adapts Growing vehicle complexity, globalization, and other industry trends are prompting companies to focus more on automation and standardization in their test programs. Lightweight vehicle engineering Demand for performance and fuel economy make materials once considered too expensive increasingly attractive.

NAIAS production vehicles Editors review the engineering highlights of the show's production-vehicle introductions. BMW 7 Series: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2002 With help from its suppliers, BMW has produced a vehicle that blazes the engineering trail with innovations that will influence passenger vehicles for years to come. Developments in fuel cells Automotive engineers are concentrating on providing quick startup, cost reduction, mass manufacturability, and crash safety. AEI Tech 2002 Awards Automotive Engineering International editors highlight the top products and technologies that were displayed at the SAE 2002 World Congress. Introducing S.M. Shahed, SAE President for 2002 From humble beginnings, S.M. Shahed carves out a seat at the society's top spot. Urea selective catalytic reduction Testing by Ford researchers of a small-diesel emissions-control system proved successful in meeting ULEV emissions standards.

Technology for small-engine emissions reduction Swiss researchers used a modern four-stroke engine in conjunction with a commercially available catalytic converter and special gasoline to develop a significantly cleaner-running walk-behind mower. Large-scale application of J1939 The SAE electronic systems communication standard provides a method for achieving engineering flexibility, product standardization, parts rationalization, service, and customer convenience. Focus on electronics OEMs and their suppliers are developing vehicle systems for improved vehicle operation and reliability/durability with the help of electronics. The following pages review some recent industry advancements. 2000 SAE International Off-Highway Congress: one for the ages From antique off-highway equipment to the latest in intelligent vehicle technology, the 2000 SAE International Off-Highway & Powerplant Congress & Exposition brings yesterday and tomorrow together today.