Foreword

Leveraging People, Processes, & Technology

For optimal market response

As organisations have grown and evolved, functions within the organisation have expanded and become more specialised. The result has been the unintentional creation of “functional silos” and hierarchical “command and control” organisational structures that pass information sequentially up and through the functions, often becoming untimely, distorted and functionally oriented.

Central and Eastern Europe Countries

The next challenge

The article examines critical success factors for Central and Eastern Europe to sustain as a low cost manufacturing base and examines various initiatives to be taken by the industry, labour and government for the industry to continue successfully.

Luxury Car Market

German battle on Indian soil

The excitement is getting better and better with the German car makers queuing up some of their hottest models for the Indian consumers.

India’s luxury car market has tripled over the last five years. The interview also explains its growth potential

Innovation Management

Qashqai Development at Nissan

With increasing competition and a commitment to its three year plan, Nissan had to carefully consider how it was to deliver its next vehicle; it needed something innovative to revitalise the brand. Read on to know how Nissan developed one of the most successful vehicles in its European history.

Russian Automotive Industry

An overview

Leonid Dolgov, Head of Passenger Car Division, GAZ Group, talks in detail about the opportunities and challenges Russian car market presents.

In - Film Placement

The Hollywood Connection

Product Placements in Hollywood are gaining wide appeal in the global auto industry. Car makers, aiming at specific benefits, compete to glorify their brands in popular films. The query remains—Does this persuade movie-goers to buy the car that is being projected in the film?

“Product placement is an integral part of the Audi communication mix.”

“Coupled with advertising and marketing, product placement has a very positive impact on sales.”

Information Technology

AUTOSAR ECUs

Development solutions

This article describes the model-based development of AUTOSAR application software components through the use of ETAS products RTA, ASCET, and INTECRIO.

Networked Virtual Eniroment Platfrom

For equipment sharing systems of SMEs

Networked Virtual Environment (NVE) provides a low-cost, secure and fast analysis tool, which can be reached with small and medium sized enterprises. This article discusses the development of a general architecture for creating Networked Virtual Environments applicable to equipment sharing systems.

Developing Universal Standards for RFID

AIDC (Automatic Identification / Data Collection) standards are more critical today than ever before and non-intuitive human aspects of data collection could prevent us from finding maximal benefits in developing business cases for use of RFID.

On – board Systems

From infotainment to eDucation

The growing satellite navigation systems market provides consumers and content manufacturers with plenty of avenues.

Materials

Recycled Plastics

Opportunities and challenges

Recent technology advancements have opened the door for automotive manufactures to seriously consider recycled plastics for new automotive applications.

Hybrid Structural Parts

New assembly and improved performance

This article demonstrates the benefits of using glass-reinforced thermoplastic inserts instead of steel inserts and also explains the creation of a new assembly technique for the manufacturing of lightweight hybrid structures.

High Quality Interiors

The “customer obsession” approach

In recent years, automotive interiors have become very important due to the increasing customer expectations. Customers are increasingly looking for more aesthetical and comfortable interiors and are considering them as one of the important features of a vehicle.

Lightweight Metal Matrix Composites

For automotive applications

Light weight engineering by optimised materials and component design is a central challenge in advanced mechanical engineering for automotive applications.

Design and Testing

3D Computer Aided Industrial Design

Demystifying the myths

Understanding cost, quality, benefits and drawbacks associated with 3D computer aided design and the process industrial designers work through can assist in better product development decisions.

Redesigning the Product Development Process

As the competitive drives, technologies, and knowledge have increased it is becoming clear that there is no need for the sequential, segmented, build and test aspects of the traditional automotive design and development processes. This article presents a guide to redesigning the product development processes that follows the natural creation phases from inception to realisation.

Engine and Chassis

Chassis Control Systems

Impact on CO₂

In view of the growing importance of reducing CO₂ emissions, the chassis systems can play an important role in meeting the emission targets.

Global Light Vehicle Market

Drivers and technology trends

In view of its ongoing work in the light vehicle powertrain segment, KGP has undertaken a joint research project with J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting to study the technology and production trends in global markets. The article provides the most recent findings of the project.

Advances in Engine Downsizing Technologies

The article talks about the implications of increasingly expensive oil on automotive offerings in the near terms. The technologies covered in engine downsizing range from simple retrofits like forced induction to combustion engineering changes and hybrid offerings. These are detailed along with insights on how the technological marketplace will be in the future.

Advanced Diesel Engines

Is gasoline the best fuel?

Conventional diesel fuels are very prone to autoignition. A lot of the expensive technology in modern diesel engines is required to alleviate the effects of this low ignition delay of the fuel in order to promote pre-mixed combustion to reduce smoke and NOx. Gasoline-like fuels, with higher resistance to autoignition are better suited for this type of combustion.

Sound Advice

Investigation of Vehicle HVAC Cabin Noise

An investigation of in-cabin noise of vehicles reveals that the design of the HVAC system has a major influence on the vehicle’s in-cabin acoustic performance.

Components and Ancillaries

Matrix Infrared Sensor System

To improve in-vehicle climate

The world’s first matrix infrared can estimate each passenger’s thermal condition by sensing passenger’s surface temperature and controls climate condition in the passenger compartment according to the thermal conditions

Electrical and Electronics

The Value of Voice

Easing access to complex functionality

Recent surveys show that car drivers—private or professional—like to make use of the ever increasing information and entertainment services also in the car. But with traditional graphical user interfaces, these services are likely to be dangerous due to visual distraction.

Connectivity

Two-way wireless data communications

Automotive industry’s move towards a more comprehensive wireless in-vehicle ecosystem comprising several different platforms has increased the demand for wireless data communications.

Production and Manufacturing

EU CO₂ Outlook

Meeting the challenge

Driven by the looming CO₂ emission standards, technological developments in the European Union are booming. A review of current CO₂ proposals sheds some light on the future and also facilitates forecasting the future CO₂ market situation and challenges.

Air Tank

The new hybrid battery

The Scuderi Air-Hybrid could be the first hybrid system that makes economic sense as it increases power and mileage at a cost of only a few hundred dollars, as compared to an electric hybrid that costs thousands of dollars.