Automotive News - March 31, 2008 - (Page 28)

28 • MARCH 31, 2008 A U T O M O T I V E N E W S PA C E AWA R D S 6 more PACE-setters in auto innovation Here are profiles of six of 23 finalists in the 2008 Automotive News PACE Awards. What: Automotive News PACE Awards, honoring innovative automotive suppliers Co-sponsored by: Microsoft, SAP and Transportation Research Center Inc. Winners announced: Black-tie ceremony Monday, April 14 Where: Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit Other finalists: Will be featured weekly through the April 7 issue Mechatronic injectors Tough high-temperature material Eaton Corp. Marshall, Mich. Category: Product For: Crutonite Achieving million-mile durability in heavy-duty engines and 200,000-plus-mile life in gasoline and multifuel engines is a challenge for makers of engine exhaust valves. High-performance diesel and advanced combustion strategies in future passengercar engines place a heavy, high-temperature load on the valves. Eaton created a valve material that uses less strategic metal content (such as price-volatile nickel) than aerospace-type superalloys yet reaches comparable strength, performance and high-temperature wear and corrosion resistance. The material combines nickel-metal alloys with carbides to provide wear resistance. In most cases, no special hardening of valve seats is needed. First used in 2007 in the Caterpillar C-15 engine. Continental Pisa, Italy; and Auburn Hills, Mich. Category: Product-Europe For: Piezo Direct Injection System for Gasoline Applications Piezo technology, in which ceramics change shape when an electrical current is applied, allowed Continental to develop a fuel injector that creates extremely fine atomization of fuel directed only where combustion actually occurs in the cylinder. The injector, operated by piezo crystals, completes its full stroke in 0.2 milliseconds, fast enough to allow two injections per ignition cycle. Individual fuel injections remain precise and consistent under a wide range of driving conditions. The result is an estimated 20 percent savings in fuel, a 40 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions and a 12 percent reduction in carbon dioxide, while doubling the rpm range for optimum engine efficiency. First used in 2006 on the BMW 335i twin-turbo 3.0-liter gasoline engine. Motorcycle airbag Takata Corp. Tokyo Category: Product For: Motorcycle airbag Frontal collisions cause more than half of motorcycle-related fatalities in Japan, Europe and North America. Although not mandated by any government, a motorcycle airbag has been under development by Takata and Honda since 1996. The airbag is designed to deploy in front of the rider when crash sensors on the motorcycle’s front fork detect a frontal impact. The face of the bag is tethered to the motorcycle so the bag stays in place while catching the rider. The shape of the bag had to account for an out-of-position rider and for both a rider’s and passenger’s mass. According to test data, the airbag system prevented fatal injury impact in a 45-mph head-on crash as measured using a crash test dummy. First used in 2006 on the Honda Gold Wing. Clean, powerful diesel Cummins Inc. Columbus, Ind. Category: Product For: Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel Cummins’ 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel inline-six is the first heavy-duty engine for pickups that meets both 2007 and 2010 EPA emissions standards. It achieves 350 hp and delivers 650 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An electrically controlled variable-geometry turbocharger extends engine power and adds exhaust braking. The engine is 50 percent quieter than previous models and, by using a special catalyst, meets emissions standards for oxides of nitrogen without needing the addition of urea. A water-cooled exhaust-gas return system and a self-cleaning diesel particulate filter help further reduce emissions. The engine can use biodiesel. First used in 2007 Dodge Ram pickups. Lightweight crash protection Dow Automotive Auburn Hills, Mich. Category: Product For: Impaxx energy-absorbing foam More rigorous safety regulations require car interiors to absorb more crash energy to protect occupants. At the same time, the quest for lighter and smaller vehicle designs limits the space available for such materials. Dow has created a styrenic polymer foam that is 50 percent lighter than polyurethane and polypropylene parts, uses up to 30 percent less space and is fully recyclable. The foam can be made in prototype form rapidly and cheaply, and identical parts then can be produced without tooling. The foam lets automakers meet European and North American head, side and frontal impact standards. Applications include headliners, roof pillar trim, door panels, headrests and instrument panels. First used by multiple manufacturers in 2007.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 31, 2008

Axle strike leads GM to alter production plan Industry expert Ferron joins Automotive News Group Hummer adds E85 models Lear expands in China Ford spills the beans on car seats Concern ... confidence ... curiosity — welcome to America, Tata Expect most Ford-bred executives to stay put Tip for Tata: Let British brands be British brands Dana CEO sees need for growth in Asia Chrysler: Any deal for partner would be done by Cerberus Farley retools Flex marketing strategy Malibu attracts import-minded buyers European purchasing execs to suppliers: Costs must fall Reynolds removes dealership modems New Saturn ads will promote Aura, Vue, Outlook This Spring Hill launch is a fraction of the first one GM works on small global car Hal Riney, Saturn campaign creator, dies Dealer sours on China importer Secret computer lets Nissan planner peek into future XM-Sirius merger: Lower prices, more choices? Key Chrysler product developer resigns Ford's new boss in HR plans no major changes Wagener to replace Pfeiffer as Mercedes design chief It's time to break the glass ceiling Autos don't cause all global warming Toyota plumbed the depths of Scion Customer loyalty is serious business Future bright for Tata brands Dauch sends wrong signals as Axle strike drags Yanase opened Japan to Western cars Fewer dealers, sure, but more brands What if Ahn falls short? Want to inspire Lori Queen? Just say no Hanwha to build GM Powertrain assembly line Toyota enters untapped Korea, home of Hyundai James O'Rourke Jr. Picture This -- March 31st, 2008 Lexus pays dealers for innovations Suppliers to the 2009 Dodge Journey Ricardo center has battery focus Howa USA opens interior parts plant in Kentucky N.Y. show suggests a future of smart powertrains, muscle BMW sees new models as sales saviors Ford contract has unique take on core jobs 6 more PACE-setters in auto innovation Buy-here, pay-here may grow Dealers Mercedes SL: A fresh face — with 1 flaw Ex-Chrysler design chief John Herlitz dead at 65 Future could be bright for Jag, Land Rover Land Rover in good shape, but challenges remain Fuel economy fines loom for Tata As segment shrinks, Chrysler minivan output takes a big dip Mercedes names 27 AMG dealers Continental to cut jobs Cobalt SS price: $22,995 Kia opens Ga. training center Nissan idles Mexico plant Plastech legal bill: $1 million for a month Magna will add 3 plants in Mexico El Camino diehards say Pontiac G8 should have been a Chevy No 2nd chance for Nasser, other Ford alums Buick grabs a name from the past After short list, a short stay for Laymon Lori Queen or Ellery Queen? Daimler's mum on BMW Southern supplier strategy Tracing the Camaro's bloodline Alfa searches for a U.S. factory

Automotive News - March 31, 2008

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