Acura Engineers Pull Back RDX Skin

Acura engineers built a “tree trunk” subframe into the rear of the all-new RDX and employed hot-stamped inner and outer door rings to assure chassis rigidity.

By Bob Gritzinger • April 12, 2018

IAV Sees Huge Potential With 3D-Printed Pistons

With 3D printing, a piston can be created one layer at a time, and a super-strong honeycomb lattice can replace the solid material, reducing mass about 25%. The supplier says it will have a 3D-printed piston running in a prototype diesel engine soon.

April 12, 2018

SEG Readies 48V Tech Play as Life After Bosch Begins

Owned by China’s ZMJ, SEG lays claim to being the world’s largest supplier of stop/start systems. It’s looking for growth through additional high-tech products and a bigger footprint in North America.

By David Zoia Editor • April 12, 2018

Nissan Declutters Altima Interior, Aims for Serenity

Nissan designers working on the Altima wanted fewer controls, or ones more logically placed, to create open-ness.

April 11, 2018

The Impending EV Fiasco

Where are all the BEV buyers going to come from? California and its cohorts are mandating sales in their markets grow from roughly 60,000 BEVs to more than 1 million a year.

By John McElroy • April 11, 2018

Ring Drive Suggests Future EV Powertrain

Orbis Driven’s unique approach to using an electric motor to drive a ring gear draws inspiration from as far back as the 1898 Lohner-Porsche EV.

By Bob Gritzinger • April 11, 2018

Wards 10 Best Interiors Nominees Color Our World

Green, orange, red, navy and shades of brown spice up the industry’s newest interiors. Forty all-new or significantly redesigned interiors are being evaluated this year.

April 10, 2018

VW’s Roster of EVs, SUVs in China Growing

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess says the automaker’s China product range is to be entirely renewed and expanded by 2020, with nine new models launching this year.

By Alan Harman • April 5, 2018

Nissan Targets 1 Million EV Sales Annually By 2022

Under the automaker’s midterm electrification plan it will develop eight new all-electric vehicles, launch an EV in China under different brands; introduce an electric “kei” mini-vehicle in Japan; offer a global crossover EV; and electrify new Infiniti models from fiscal year 2021.

By Alan Harman • April 5, 2018

Gasoline Loses Ground Among Oz Car Shoppers

Australia’s share of new-vehicle sales with gasoline engines last year was 75.3%. Among intending buyers over the next four years, only 61.9% think their next vehicle likely will be gasoline-powered.

By Alan Harman • April 3, 2018

Future Engineers Take FIRST Step Into Robotics

“When we’ve got a strong team, we want to keep it strong,” says General Motors’ Tim Grewe, whose sons were on a world champion team a few years ago. “The most important thing is to keep getting the kids exposed to science and engineering.”

By Alan L. Adler • April 3, 2018

Autonomous-Driving Simulation Tackles Kangaroo Issue

Thanks to dramatic advances in deep learning and computer vision, simulation technology offers a much safer and faster road to the future of self-driving vehicles than road testing in the real world ever will.

By Danny Atsmon • April 3, 2018

’18 Hyundai Kona Ready for Small CUV Battle

The Korean automaker smartly took its time to develop a U.S.-specific vehicle with the Kona and pays off with expressive styling, a superb level of available content, buttoned-up driving dynamics and pricing that does not break the bank.

By James M. Amend • March 30, 2018

Magna South Carolina Plant to Supply BMW With Seats

Magna will create a total of 610 jobs at the 255,000-sq.-ft. facility, which will supply seats for BMW X models built elsewhere in Spartanburg County.

March 29, 2018

Survey Says Consumer Desire to Own Vehicles High

Alternative transportation services will supplement not replace ownership, says NADA’s Jonathan Collegio.

By Steve Finlay • March 29, 2018

VW’s Atlas Cross Sport Loses a Row, Gains EV Powertrains

VW pursues twin global goals of producing more SUVs and EVs with the New York show reveal of the 5-seat Atlas Cross Sport concept featuring two new hybrid powertrains headed for production.

By Greg Kable • March 29, 2018

Rolls-Royce, Tech Startup to Work on Better Battery

The supercapacitors under development may be able to charge much faster than lithium-ion batteries. This could see electric vehicles fully charged within a few minutes.

By Alan Harman • March 29, 2018

Siemens Says New Tool Can Speed Autonomous-Vehicle Development

The combination of Mentor’s onboard computing technology with TASS’s simulation software removes a lengthy step from the autonomous-vehicle development process, potentially allowing that technology to reach the market much faster, executives say.

By David Zoia Editor • March 27, 2018

Mercedesʼ FCV: Headed to Technological Dead End?

The GLC F-Cell takes hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to a new level, leapfrogging the efforts of Toyota with the 2-year-old Mirai, which until now has proved the benchmark in the class.

By Greg Kable • March 27, 2018

Ram Remake Ready for Pickup-Truck Rivals

FCA’s overhaul of the light-duty Ram 1500 pickup for the ’19 model year leaves little to chance: Huge interior advancements, weight savings that transfer into higher towing and carrying capacities, electrically assisted engines and major chassis upgrades.

By Bob Gritzinger • March 26, 2018

Autoline at 2018 NADA: America’s Fastest Growing Software Company

Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.

March 25, 2018

Data Analytics Can ‘Democratize Decision-Making’ at Car Dealerships

“The used-car market is the perfect opportunity to tap into modern analytics,” says Jonathan Banks, J.D. Power’s vice president-valuations and analytics.

By Steve Finlay • March 23, 2018

Mazda, Partners to Develop Li-ion Starter Batteries

The plan is to develop durable, heat- and impact-resistant 12-volt Li-ion batteries as a replacement for lead-acid starter batteries in motor vehicles by 2021.

By Alan Harman • March 23, 2018

Cadillac Chases Autobahn Eaters With CT6 V-Sport

The CT6 V-Sport will retain its refined ride, GM says, and focus on a niche of luxury buyers who want the creamy, seemingly endless power only a V-8 can deliver.

By James M. Amend • March 21, 2018

Autonomous Cars in Spotlight at London Motor Show

Show Chairman Alec Mumford says the interactive zones follow show visitors’ feedback indicating such elements at events are increasingly sought after and valued.

By Alan Harman • March 21, 2018