Vehicles: Page 208

Engineers get cracking on costs; growing affordability issue dictatesnew thinking.

Wander down the aisle of any appliance store these days and you'll notice that the $197.99 pricetag on that 19-in. color TV automatic washer are not much different than what the average consumer shelled out in 1970.Drive down the road to the nearest auto dealer, however, and the average sticker now hovers near $20,000, or almost five times more than the $4,000 or so sticker on a nicely loaded new

By McCann, Hugh • Nov. 1, 1995

Toss out $165 billion? Can today’s manufacturing adapt to produce a supercar?

LOS ALAMOS, NM -- Big Three engineers and government scientists cooperatively working on the development of an 80-mpg (2.9L/100 km) "supercar" are gradually sifting through the myriad technologies under their scrutiny as they push ahead to "lock in" the design and production parameters for the supercar project.The first broad focus for the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) researchers:

By Bill Visnic • Oct. 1, 1995

New kid in town: lightweight polyurethane gaining acceptance in interiors.

Even in years when vehicle sales are slow, there are always a few new cars and trucks in hot demand when the new model year starts. The same is true in automotive materials. The hot new material this year -- at least in interiors -- is a real mouthful: low-density structural reaction-injection molded polyurethane (LD-SRIM), or RIM-Urethanes.Vehicle interiors are dominated by just two plastic materials

By Drew Winter • Oct. 1, 1995

Ford invests in engine parts plant

Ford Motor Co. says it plans to invest about $135 million to expand its Rawsonville engine parts plant in Ypsilanti, MI, primarily for the production of next-generation fuel injectors, electric fuel pumps, alternators and throttle body assemblies (including intake manifolds). Approximately half of the investment will be used to build a new assembly line to produce an improved fuel injector beginning

Sept. 1, 1995

Let’s clear the air: Donaldson, Hoechst Celanese develop new filter

Responding to the more-important-than-ever voice of the customer, automaker and supplier engineers and designers are constantly working to make auto interiors more comfortable. Features like separate temperature controls for driver and passengers and multiple-way power seats are becoming commonplace. Now attention turns to the invisible and microscopic.Filter manufacturer Donaldson Co. Inc. and materials

By Tim Keenan • Sept. 1, 1995

EV proponents are losing some steam

The California mandate that volume-production automakers make 2% of their 1998 model California-market vehicles zero-emitting, electric vehicles (EVs) is still in force, but the case for forcing EVs to market is deteriorating.Emboldened by EV proponents' everweakening arguments for electric vehicles, Detroit's Big Three in July told officials of the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) -- the Northeast's

Aug. 1, 1995

King Lear: how competitors view Lear/Automotive Industries deal

Racing to establish itself as a first-tier supplier of complete automotive interior systems, Lear Seating Corp. announces in mid-July plans to aquire Automotive Industries Holding Inc., a major supplier of interior components.Under the merger agreement, AI will become an operating division of Lear.Lear Seating Chairman Kenneth L. Way says AI's expertise in interior trim combined with Lear's seating

Aug. 1, 1995

Lear Seating opens new testing center

Lear Seating Corp. opens the doors of its new advanced technology and test center in Southfield, MI. In addition to state-of-the-art seat-system durability and noise-testing equipment, the $9 million facility features what the company calls the world's first HYGE Sled crash simulator to use all-digital, high-resolution color on-board imaging at 1,000 frames per second.

Aug. 1, 1995

Final exams: electronics make testing more efficient, accurate.

Say "automotive electronics" and what comes to mind? Usually it's high-profile antilock braking, traction control, air bag and engine management controllers. Or maybe vehicle navigation, adaptive cruise control or even sound systems and cellular phones. Some of the industry's most amazing and important electronics, however, take the form of low-profile testing equipment.Industry challenges such as

By Tim Keenan • Aug. 1, 1995

Sneak preview ‘96: big three in neutral

One might say the Big Three are temporarily in neutral after the model-launching frenzy of '95. Apart from Ford Motor Co.'s all-new '96 Taurus/Sable, slightly revamped sheetmetal and new interiors are the main thrust for 1996, holding the domestics over until the next big push in '97-'98.Perhaps the most extensive changes come, of all places, at Oldsmobile. Tales of the General Motors Corp. Rocket

By Bill Visnic • Aug. 1, 1995

Electrical Systems Inc

The number of antique stores, resale shops and garage sales in this country lends credence to the adage: "One person's trash is another's treasure." ITT Corp. found a treasure at the garage sale of sorts hosted by General Motors Corp.'s Automotive Components Group Worldwide (now called Delphi Automotive Systems), beginning in 1992.Although it can't be classified as trash, Delco Chassis Div.'s motors

By Wilson, Terry • Aug. 1, 1995

Bricklin returns to U.S. with electric bicycle

Malcolm Bricklin and Malcolm Currie are peddling a new product to auto dealerships. Mr. Bricklin, who initiated the imports of Suburu and Yugo to the U.S. and designed the Bricklin SV-1 gull wing sports car, and Mr. Currie, former chairman of Hughes Aircraft, have teamed up to market and sell an electric-powered bicycle. The EV Warrior, as it is named, has a top speed of 20 mph and can go for about

July 1, 1995

Never needs changing: new filter keeps oil ‘fit for life.’

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- How much would you pay never to change your oil again?Wait, don't answer yet. With this offer, we'll throw in a reduced environmental impact and lower oil consumption. It's not sold in stores, but the technology is here, and it may be less than you think.U.K.-based T&N plc, a specialist in engine components and bearings, says it expects a major European carmaker to begin installing

By ROB CLEVELAND • July 1, 1995

Let the supplier Olympics begin

Going global may be relatively new for most suppliers, but it's old hat for Lucas Industries plc, the big British-based supplier of automotive braking components, diesel and electrical systems: Lucas has been spreading its wings worldwide since the early 1960s.Lucas also manufactures aftermarket and non-automotive electronics products, but nearly 75% of its global revenues, which totaled $4 billion

By David C. Smith • July 1, 1995

Swiss company buys Globe for $160 million

Rieter Holding Ltd. of Switzerland buys Chicago-based Globe Industries Inc. for $160 million, giving Rieter entry into the U.S. automotive market. Through its automotive division (formerly known as Unikeller in Europe), Rieter -- a 200-year-old company -- supplies noise-control and thermal-insulation products and systems as well as interior trim.Globe produces a similar product line for the Big Three

July 1, 1995

High tech at the Brickyard: Delco tries hand at head-up display helmet

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Al Unser Jr. and Emerson Fittipaldi are testing a new racing helmet concept from Delco Electronics Corp. incorporating a head-up display of critical race-car data.Delco, Penske Racing and helmet manufacturer Bell Sports announce the joint development project amid the festive atmosphere at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the days leading up to the 1995 Indianapolis 500.Called Racing

By Tim Keenan • June 1, 1995

Amcast, Western Atlas, Cooper plan expansions

Amcast Industrial Corp., Western Atlas Inc. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announce plans to expand. Amcast will build a new, $25 million, 200,000-sq.-ft. (18,580-sq.-m) aluminum suspension components plant in Wapakonetta, OH. Western Atlas will build a new manufacturing systems facility in Fenton, MI, for its Michigan Machine & Engineering Div. Cooper Tire will spend $112 million to expand warehousing

June 1, 1995

Big recall fans U.S./Japan friction

Nine American and Japanese carmakers "voluntarily recalled" almost 8.4 million vehicles sold from late 1985 to 1991 because of potentially defective seatbelts. They're made by Takata Corp., a Japanese manufacturer. A spokesman for Takata's North American subsidiary says the manufacturer is cooperating with NHTSA's investigation, but downplays the significance of the problem because no deaths have

June 1, 1995

Tough ceramic converter.(Corning Inc. designs catalytic converter)(Brief Article)

Corning Inc. has developed a small ceramic catalytic converter for use close to the engine, where it will reduce cold-start emissions. Corning's "pre-converter" is designed to withstand the high temperature, high-vibration environments in the engine compartment so it can be used to meet low emissions and ultra-low vehicle emissions standards in the U.S. and Europe. The development refutes claims by

June 1, 1995

Ford to shrink powertrain combos

NORFOLK, VA --Attendance at Ford Motor Co.'s mid-May annual meeting slipped for the second consecutive year as once again it moved the yearly show to one of its "plant cities."Last year 480 owners attended the meeting in Cleveland, OH. This year Ford moves the meeting here, where a Ford truck plant is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Norfolk is not exactly located on the jetstream, and besides Ford

June 1, 1995

Is hydrogen the ultimate fuel?

It's much cleaner than the most environmentally friendly fossil fuels, and has the potential to be even cleaner than battery-powered vehicles. Used as fuel in conventional combustion engines, it emits only water vapor and small amounts of nitric oxides, and no carbon dioxide.Used to power fuel cells -- which produce electricity through a chemical reaction -- it's the only true zero-emissions source.

By Drew Winter • April 1, 1995

Nylon’s the key to moving the radiator

The concept raises more than a few eyebrows, but DuPont officials say they're confident a plastic radiator is doable. Made of a modified nylon 6/6 resin, DuPont engineers argue that a plastic heat exchanger could be shaped to fit any available space and moved to the wheel well or tucked behind the front fascia. That could free up plenty of real estate in the engine compartment, allowing designers

April 1, 1995

Let ‘magic fingers’ do the driving

ARVIDSJAUR, Sweden - If you thought doing wheelies in the church parking lot was fun, try turning off ITT Automotive's Automotive Stability Management System (ASMS) on the slippery blue ice of Lake Arvidsjaur.The ASMS system controls individual brakes and engine torque to help keep the vehicle stable. As the car yaws, "magic fingers" seem to keep it on track. As WAW pushed the BMW 325 tds around a

By Sorge, Marjorie • March 1, 1995

Engineering revolution: CAD/CAE advancements changing vehicle development.

Automotive design and engineering could be completely paperless within three years if computer technology and the industry's collective mindset continue to evolve at their current pace.Advances in computer aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) already have dramatically changed the way some components and systems are being designed and engineering but experts suggest that as much as 40% of development

By Tim Keenan • March 1, 1995

With Delphi, things stay status quo

No structural changes come with the new name; nothing is being sold off. However, the six divisions are renamed. Packard Electric becomes Delphi Packard Electric Systems; Delco Chassis becomes Delphi Chassis Systems; Inland Fisher Guide becomes Delphi Interior and Lighting Systems - eliminating the Fisher name from a GM division for the first time since GM bought Fisher Body in 1919; Saginaw becomes

March 1, 1995