Automotive News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 17)

APRIL 21, 2008 • 17 SAE WORLD CONGRESS Bosch pushes crash avoidance Exec: Drivers react too slowly to avoid accidents Bernadine Williams bwilliams@crain.com DETROIT — Drivers are the weakest link when it comes to using vehicle safety systems, an executive from Robert Bosch LLC said last week at the SAE World Congress. Jason Forcier, regional president of Bosch’s electronics division, said “multiple warning systems can overwhelm the driver.” Tests show that one out of three drivers hits the brakes hard enough to stop in an emergency, according to the company. Accidents are also unavoidable because the drivers’ decision-making processes take the crucial milliseconds needed to brake in time to stop their vehicles. Said Forcier: “Vehicle innovation will save lives. The future belongs to autonomous systems.” The predictive brake-assist function that Bosch presented at the SAE World Congress is Europe’s first system that detects an accident and reacts accordingly, the company said. The system comes as the industry has reached a plateau in decreasing vehicle fatalities. Vehicle deaths have remained at 40,000 a year for over a decade, said Forcier. The Bosch system constantly monitors the vehicle’s surroundings and calculates whether the vehicle will be able to stop in an accident. The hydraulic brake is prepared for full-force braking once the vehicle detects a probable impact. Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates vehicles’ safety measures with a five-star program. Forcier suggested that a program proposed by NHTSA for additional stars for advanced safety systems will trigger the need for such components as standard equipment. The company expects NHTSA to decide on the extended program in 2009.c Chrysler plans hybrid Dodge Ram Panel: Diesels Ryan Beene rbeene@crain.com DETROIT — Chrysler LLC plans to release a gasoline-electric hybrid Dodge Ram pickup in 2010. Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, told the 2008 SAE World Congress here last week that the hybrid version of its high-volume hauler is part of the automaker’s plans to reshape its product portfolio in the coming years. Less than a year since it was acquired from Daimler by Cerberus Capital Management LP, Chrysler is under pressure to revive its vehicle portfolio amid a major downturn in North American sales. Last week, and in other recent public remarks, Klegon has said help is on the way as Chrysler beefs up features in many of its vehicles. Last week, Klegon also mentioned company plans to introduce UConnect, a system similar to Ford’s Sync. UConnect would wirelessly connect to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone and allow the user to dial hands-free with voice-activated software. Another key initiative: The automaker’s 2009 minivans will have blind-spot detection systems may hit 20% of U.S. market by 2020 Greg Migliore and Ryan Beene A gasoline-electric hybrid version of the Dodge Ram is part of Chrysler’s product overhaul. and a cross path system, which alerts a driver to oncoming traffic when backing out of a spot in a parking lot. In a statement, Chrysler also said its new dualclutch transmission, developed in partnership with German supplier Getrag, debuts this spring. The new technology — available in international markets on the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Avenger and the 2009 Chrysler Sebring — improves fuel economy and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. The dual-clutch technology eliminates the torque converter and uses synchronizers instead of shift clutches. c gmigliore@crain.com Honda engineer is honored by SAE for safety efforts Ralph Kisiel rkisiel@crain.com DETROIT — Tomiji Sugimoto was honored last week by the Society of Automotive Engineers for his role in the development of Honda Motor Co.’s advanced body structure and airbags in North America. Now he is working on future vehicle-to-vehicle communications, a technology that may help prevent crashes. Sugimoto, vice president of the automotive technology research division at Honda R&D Americas Inc., said Honda would like to introduce the technology in five or 10 years. “We have been discussing how to implement that kind of active safety technology in the future,” he said. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters appointed Sugimoto to the Intelligent Transportation Systems Advisory Committee to review new safety technologies for possible funding. Vehicle-to-vehicle communications would warn drivers that a collision is about to occur, said Sugimoto, who is based in suburban Detroit. For example, an audible warning could alert a driver that a vehicle is approaching around a blind corner or ignoring a stop sign. Sugimoto, 53, is among the 2007-08 class of 27 engineers and scientists from industry and academia to be recognized by SAE International with Fellow status, the highest grade of SAE Tomiji Sugimoto has helped Honda develop advanced safety technology. Honda was the first Japanese automaker to bring an airbag to the United States. membership. Sugimoto is being recognized for his efforts to advance crash safety and airbag technology. In the late 1980s, he played a key role in the effort to develop and introduce airbag technology in Honda and Acura vehicles in North America. He helped bring the first airbag by a Japanese carmaker to the United States. He led Honda in addressing the issue of compatibility in collisions between vehicles of different size, mass and ride height. In 2005, Honda introduced the advanced compatibility engineering body structure on the Acura RL to enhance occupant protection in a frontal collision between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights. By year end, 13 of 16 Honda and Acura models sold here will incorporate that body structure. It features a bigger frontal area designed so it can align better with vehicles of different sizes. Sugimoto said it also helps to disperse the impact energy more efficiently around the cabin area.c DETROIT — About 20 percent of the vehicles in the United States could run on diesel fuel by the end of the next decade, a panel of auto executives said here last week at the 2008 SAE World Congress. Panelists also expect hybrid technologies to be in about 10 percent of vehicles by 2020, as consumers’ thirst for fuel-sipping vehicles continues. The figures were suggested by BorgWarner CEO Tim Manganello. The other panelists, including Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Co.’s product chief, and Ed Mantey, a Toyota engineering vice president, agreed with the forecast. Manganello based his predictions on patterns in Europe, where consumers have long enjoyed diesel rides. “Europe is a leading indicator for powertrain technology,” Manganello said. He also said he expects the number of gasoline engines equipped with turbochargers to double by 2013. Meanwhile, Magna International Inc. co-CEO Don Walker suggested that there could be global annual sales of 1.7 million hybrid vehicles by 2013, 765,000 of them in the United States. The U.S. market is picking up dramatically. Last year, 338,851 hybrids were sold in the United States, up 34.5 percent from 251,870 in 2006. Walker said a key component of the industry’s response to the green market and its regulatory demands is the increased use of global platforms. At the same time, Walker said, “suppliers have to be able to respond.” That means suppliers must expand globally to bring engineering and manufacturing operations close to where they are needed. Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of product development, highlighted the automaker’s plans to realign its product development with a global approach under its “One Ford” plan. Ford announced the initiative involving its product development and purchasing operations this month. “We were too complex,” Kuzak said. “Our processes were too complex; accountability was unclear, and we were difficult to work with” with all of Ford’s partners. Kuzak said the plan simplifies development by creating a single “global DNA” for all Ford vehicles and eases work with its supply base. Mantey, Toyota’s vice president for engineering design at the company’s North American technical center in Ann Arbor, Mich., said collaboration in the vehicle development process is essential. He said there must be constant interaction between automakers and their suppliers through every stage of development.c http://www.forceevents.com http://www.forceevents.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - April 21, 2008

Automotive News - April 21, 2008 Reorganization plan gives more muscle to 4 sales-channel execs Hummer plummets, Saturn soars in sales per franchise Chrysler-Nissan: Loads of partnership potential LIFESTYLE PICKUPS Strike averted Friday at GM transmission plant Hyundai to phase out Tiburon Veteran lobbyist looks back on decades-long mpg battle Autonews.com offers news customization GM offers free digital marketing package to dealers Lithia extends vehicle repair warranty to 3 years/50,000 miles With new products, is there life in Saturn? Ford plans $100M-plus F-150 launch Ford broadens its diesel strategy GM pitches its management system to dealers Supplier to help Mahindra offer diesel hybrid Transplants top 40% of N.A. output in March Geely chief: 'We are still an ant' Honda could import cars from China GM redirects efforts to serve emerging markets Beijing showstoppers New Challenger is appetizer for full line in 2009 Last week, I got a glimpse of the future Service contracts: Federal oversight is needed Delphi mess drags on Can't we stop importing oil? Ryan revolutionized this business An editorial glass ceiling? Driving on hydrogen — pros and cons BMW should build even more here Not what New York ordered Magna exec: More suppliers will fail Canada sales off 0.4% in March Bosch pushes crash avoidance Chrysler plans hybrid Dodge Ram Honda engineer is honored by SAE for safety efforts Panel: Diesels may hit 20% of U.S. market by 2020 Automotive News PACE Awards: Night of black ties, trophies, praise PACE Awards honor innovation Truck sales drop 31% in March Honda's new Pilot is bigger, more upscale In China, GM looks to fresh vehicles in 2009 U.S. economic woes hurt shareholder values Judge refuses to toss GMC franchise-award case Dealers Farley: Ford's marketing team is ready to roll Landry: Chrysler's consolidation will spawn service-only stores Profits up at Johnson Controls Hyundai to fix airbag problem GM to build $200 million Brazil plant Convis is CEO of Dana Holding Denso names Katoh CEO Stephen Feinberg speaks! Hogan eyes CEO spot in startup Chrysler reviving its global dreams? How I saved Delphi: A work in progress Tesla Motors' lawsuit: Designer Fisker ripped us off Concert in the key of C-3PO

Automotive News - April 21, 2008

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