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Phantom materializes BMW's Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils its first model, an aluminum-bodied sedan with rear-hinged rear doors and a new V12. Protecting the cabin from powertrain NVH OEMs are getting help from suppliers such as Collins & Aikman and Bayer in damping NVH, thanks to innovation in plastics. Forced induction Environmental pressures prompt renewed interest in turbochargers and superchargers. Collaboration software emerges Interactive product development tools that can decrease design time and cost, enhance quality, and improve engineering processes are now widely available. Validated virtual testing DaimlerChrysler and MTS Systems have verified that component load histories can be predicted before prototypes are built. Automation: a tool, not an end Toyota and its suppliers try to strike a balance between automation and manual labor at their U.S. plants.

Appetite for cars growing in China Automakers and suppliers the world over are scrambling to establish or expland manufacturing operations in China as income growth spurs a rapid rise in car sales. "Lighting" the way for bodies Alcan says the most common alternative metal for body applications, aluminum, can be used as a stand-alone material or integrated with steel. Controlling noise, vibration, and harshness Vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are finding ways to deliver greater passenger comfort in the early stages of design. Why diesels, why now? Participants at the first SAE Executive Management Briefing discuss the possibilities and technical challenges for diesel engines in U.S. passenger vehicles. Virtual powertrain, real results As powertrain control systems require more complex validation testing in less time, Ford is teaming with Concurrent Computer to develop a HIL simulation system that tests real control hardware in the virtual world.

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.

Toyota rationalizes IMV The Executive Chief Engineer in charge of the broad range of multipurpose vehicles for developing markets discusses local optimization of one global vehicle architecture. Honda builds a better FCX The recently revealed concept car previews the ambitious and radically new fuel-cell-powered car that the company will launch and lease in 2008 in the U.S. and Japan. Denso turns up the heat Japan's largest supplier is developing environmentally friendly products, such as its flagship HVAC systems to make customer vehicles cooler but more efficient. Sitting pretty Aesthetics merge with safety and ergonomics in that "simple" yet essential automotive system: the seat. Shifting forward Faster processors, enhanced sensors yield better transmissions with smoother gear changes. Finishing strong Combining high strength with formability, today's new steels support development of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles--without compromising safety, cost, or performance.

Then there were two Prevailing sentiment in the Japanese media, and to some extent among the public, is that there are two truly indigenous automobile manufacturers in Japan: the Toyota group of companies and Honda. Others have entrenched themselves in global alliances for much-needed infusions of foreign capital. Cars and light trucks merge As light-vehicle segments blur in function and utlility, Japanese manufacturers are placing body design emphasis on optimum space utilization and crash safety. Chassis trends Technologies in development by Japanese companies include lane keeping, steer by wire, and dynamic stability via hybrid-electric drive. Engines and electric motors The Japanese industry is pursuing a high-tech mix of internal combustion engines, hybrid IC/electric powertrains, and fuel cells.

Managing and remaking metals Who knew a hundred years ago that just under half of a 2001 model year vehicle would be manufactured out of dismantled, flattened, and shredded older vehicles? Global viewpoints: Japan plans for the future Greater competition from Western and other Asian nations, as well as global environmental concerns, have focused the country's long-term technology and engineering strategies. Hear the noise, feel the vibe There being no silver bullet for noise and vibration attenuation, suppliers are providing a variety of options for the OEM quest to provide a smooth and quiet ride. Forum for fuel cells An in-depth, one-day fuel-cell summit, presented by AEI, allowed open discussion on the burgeoning technology from various stakeholders. This month's focus is on two keynote presentations that addressed some business and regulatory trends regarding the development and adoption of fuel cells.

Back to the high-power future Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto and other officials are re-engineering Toyota, borrowing elements of the past to tackle 21st-century environmental changes. Racing to green mobility The President of Honda R&D, Masaaki Kato, hopes to harness the company's "racing spirit" to research and develop innovative methods to reduce the CO2 emissions of its products. Charging ahead Nissan's Senior Vice President, Minoru Shinohara, explains the battery technology that will allow feasible electric cars, while not forgetting to mention the GT-R supercar. Market Genesis Hyundai-Kia R&D Center Chief Hyun-Soon Lee has added the top market-research job at the company as it tries to quickly add more value to its products with new technologies and features. China goes shiftless Suppliers hope to capitalize on the future gold mine for automatic transmissions by working with OEMs on high-tech but low-cost solutions.

Broadening horizons Japanese manufacturing continue to diversify, investing in the launch of a domestic premium brand, updating an iconic sports car, and developing a variety of safer micro cars that are gaining popularity all over the world. Today for tomorrow Japanese automotive manufacturers are researching new engine technologies to improve power, efficiency, and emissions. Continental Flying Spur Bentley engineers sought "no compromises" in creating their new GT-based 312-km/h (194-mph) sedan. Material issue Automakers apply advanced materials to stem the rising tide of weight from increasing safety and convenience features. Testing trends This special edition of Testing & Simulation focuses on some of the more innovative technologies designed to satisfy the industry's demanding testing needs. Trading in a socket wrench for a software patch The good old days of taking your car to the repair shop down the street and hoping for the best as Mr.

Seats of power Car users are sitting on more advanced features than ever before, but increasing demands for "comfort" and other considerations have focused industry brainpower on slimmer seat designs, new trim materials, and innovative technology solutions. Big changes for powertrain control Electronics innovations are behind many of the advances in hybrid, diesel, and conventional gasoline engines. Plastic on the outside For many new vehicles, light weight is paramount, and so too is eye-catching design. That's why plastic body panels will become more prevalent. Toyota powers ahead The company's powertrain strategy follows Toyota President Watanabe's dream that a Toyota car be able to cross the American continent with no refueling while cleansing the atmosphere as it travels. The Honda way In the pipeline are a "dedicated hybrid car for family use," a super-clean diesel that meets U.S.

The battle of the metals Engineers continue to improve the properties of metal and evolve manufacturing technologies to enable metals to maintain, or achieve more of, a competitive presence in vehicles. Global Concepts This second of two parts reviews some of the more significant vehicles from past year's motor shows and showcases trends in design and technology from the world's auotmakers. Good Vibrations AEI takes a look at what some companies are doing to improve vehicle NVH. Asia after the storm This final segment of AEI's three-part look at doing business in the digital age focuses on suppliers and OEMs in Asia. Producing fully dense PM parts A new process from PM Krupp Technologies Inc., F2, is suitable for producing fully dense parts that are too expensive to machine or cast, or that require the high strength, hardness, and durablity that conventional (low-density) powder metal cannot provide.

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.