Motorized Vehicle Manufacturing Yearbook 2019
The 2019 edition of the Motorized Vehicle Manufacturing Yearbook is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
On Verge of Structural Changes, Industry Still Strongly Performs
June 14, 2019
As the second-largest producer of automobiles in the world, second to China, we saw the U.S. auto industry post the “…fourth-biggest year on record thanks to December gains” (rubbernews.com); worldwide, there were some 70.5 million cars produced (statista.com).
By Mark L. Michalski
2019 SME President,
SME Member Since 1992
Auto's Big Changes
June 11, 2019
The perception of the global automobile manufacturing landscape is of one on the verge of structural change, driven in the near term by battery-electric vehicles and Level 5 fully self-driving cars over a much longer time horizon.
Outlook
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Transforming Automotive
June 12, 2019A survey by IHS Markit examines changes in automotive manufacturing. What follows are the findings. -
Research & DevelopmentPromise and Peril in New Era for Automakers, Suppliers
August 27, 2018In Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, there’s a structure that symbolizes both the promise and the peril of a new automotive era—the 105-year-old Michigan Central Station. The train station has been empty and decaying for 30 years. -
Toyota Revamps Design, Manufacturing as Part of Restructuring
September 28, 2018Toyota Motor Corp.’s research and development operations in southeastern Michigan have emerged as a key piece in revamping the automaker in North America. -
Expert OpinionSelf-Driving Vehicles to Create New Class
June 12, 2019As the autonomous vehicle is quickly developing, the industry’s, as well as the general population’s behavior patterns, will change, creating new opportunities and challenges for all. -
Robots Ensure Quality
June 14, 2019At the horseshoe-shaped assembly line in Youngstown, Ohio, engine parts move like clockwork on a conveyor with 60-second takt time for each station. “It’s a fast-paced line; everything is just-in-time, just-in-sequence,” says Gary Bobalik, director of marketing at Comprehensive Logistics. -
Creating a Green Engine
June 17, 2019If San Diego-based Achates Power is ahead of its time now, it was completely revolutionary when it was founded in 2004 by James U. Lemke, former physics professor and founder of Spin Physics Inc. The company designs green internal combustion engines for passenger and commercial vehicles, and for military, marine, and stationary use. -
ControlsSoftware Fuels Smart Factories
June 13, 2019In the fast-changing world of motorized vehicle manufacturing, supply chain companies are now offering numerous software suites, bringing digitalization software and customizable applications to machine tool builders, alongside CNC hardware and operating software. -
Plan to Expand
June 13, 2019German metrology developer Jenoptik is shifting “from focusing on metrology and laser processing standalone equipment to integrated automation solutions for the automotive industry and other new applications, including aerospace,” so it recently bought Prodomax Automation in Barrie, Ontario, and Five Lakes Automation, in Michigan, Prodomax Co-CEO Carolyn Garvey said. -
Fail-Safe Door Latch
June 14, 2019Despite increasing levels of digitalization, cars are still equipped with lock cylinders to ensure the door can be unlocked at any given time. Kiekert’s ReactiWake locking system guarantees this on a purely electronic level, thus creating new opportunities in vehicle design and operating concept. -
Expert OpinionDesigning the Semi-Truck of the Future
June 14, 2019An emerging design revolution is profoundly affecting the look and feel of one of the most iconic manufactured products on the American scene – the semi-truck. -
AutomationAutomotive Industry Improves Automation, Adopts Advanced Tech
March 1, 2019The U.S. auto industry has been automated for decades. Production of cars and trucks is associated with large, hulking robots fenced off from human employees. Inside those fenced off areas, tasks such as welding are performed. The industry, though, is advancing on the automation front. -
When Will 5G Arrive? What Will It Mean for Manufacturers?
March 20, 2019If you believe Glenn Longley, VP for IoT product management at Inseego, manufacturers in the U.S. will be adapting to 5G connectivity within the next 18 months. -
ControlsSoftware: The Road to Zero Defects
June 13, 2019Reducing the risk of automotive defects is one of the most critical issues facing manufacturers today – to protect the well-being of consumers, as well as their own reputations and financial health. -
Supply and (Uncertain) Demand for Electric Vehicles
August 28, 2018The hype around electric vehicles and self-driving cars seems to grow louder by the day. The potential environmental and social benefits are trumpeted generally without reservation. -
Leak Testing: Key to Future
June 13, 2019Leak testing plays a crucial role in the production of individual battery cells, the smallest component of traction batteries. Specifically, tracer gas procedures are acceptable for determining adherence to extremely low-limit leak rates. However, new methods of construction allow manufacturers to do more to provide leak-tightness for their cells. -
Expert OpinionSome Predictions for the Auto Industry
June 13, 2019Before we delve into what’s ahead in the automotive industry for 2019, first let’s look at what is not going to happen this year. Autonomous vehicle technology – although it’s devouring a lot of venture capital money – is not going to be the next big thing in automotive, with a few caveats. -
Making EVs a Reality
June 18, 2019Although the sale of electric cars is growing, mass adoption remains a pipe dream. And it will remain so until electric cars deliver the same mileage per battery charge as a tank of gasoline. The pressure is on to find a solution, as the quest for ever-lower CO2 emissions increases and the desire to retain vehicle access in some of the world’s most-populous cities becomes paramount. -
Expert Opinion
Bringing in New Solutions to Honing Users
June 11, 2019With the rapid evolution in engine and powertrain technology occurring in the market today, it is imperative for production machine suppliers to respond to the changing needs of their customers without sacrificing the core concepts of quality and service.
Workforce
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Workforce DevelopmentTalent Issues Impede Tech
June 17, 2019In a recent study, over 80 percent of survey respondents listed workforce issues as one of their top three challenges to adopting new technology at their plants. New technologies are coming not only to cars, utility vehicles and trucks but also to the manufacturing plants that produce parts, components and vehicles.
Online Extra
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CAD/CAM Software Keeps Race Car Design and Production on Track
July 19, 2019Students at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering enjoy a host of extracurricular opportunities, but few measure up to the hands-on experience provided by the UConn Formula SAE project.