Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 24)

24 • MARCH 24, 2008 A U T O M O T I V E N E W S PA C E AWA R D S 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition 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 Power-packed electric motors Remy Inc. Anderson, Ind. Category: Product For: High Voltage Hairpin Remy overcame the heat, size and power problems of traditional roundwire electric motor windings with its new way to apply wiring on motor stators. Using rectangular crosssection wire and forming it in nesting “hairpin” shapes, the company created better power density and more efficient heat handling in a smaller motor space. The special winding technology allows for motors small enough to fit inside a vehicle transmission. The better cooling lets the motors provide continuous electric torque and power, where today’s hybrids can provide it only for short bursts. First used in 2007 in the General Motors GMT900 Two Mode Hybrid System Transmission. Safer backing Gentex Corp. Zeeland, Mich. Category: Product For: Rear Camera Display Mirror Drivers automatically look to the interior rearview mirror for information before backing up. Gentex has created a video display that appears through the mirror glass for rear-vision camera pictures from blind-spot areas. The display appears only when the driver shifts into reverse. A special mirror coating was developed to enable the technology. When the display is on, high-brightness light-emitting diodes illuminate through the coating. When the display is off, the mirror surface reflects normally. The system does not interfere with other mirror features such as automatic dimming. First used in 2007 on the Mazda CX-9 crossover. No coating needed Delphi Thermal Systems/Alcoa Lockport, N.Y. Category: Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment For: 5 Layer Aluminum Braze Sheet A corrosion-resistant material for airconditioning evaporators became imperative for Delphi when European Union requirements banned automotive use of anti-corrosive hexavalent chromium coatings. Working with Delphi, Alcoa created a five-layer sandwich composite aluminum braze sheet material that protects the heat-dispersing aluminum core with special alloys that need no coating. Previous material processes could create only three-layer materials. As a result of the new material, Delphi airconditioner manufacturing processes were changed. Plants no longer need coating equipment, environmental dangers were reduced, and Delphi may be able to eliminate costly onsite wastewater treatment. Production began in 2005 for Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKS vehicles. Chip-based sensor Timken Co. Canton, Ohio Category: Product For: Timken MPS-160 sensor From antilock brakes to electric power-assisted steering, more systems on autos require sensors to measure how fast a shaft may be spinning or what position it may be in. Of the existing technologies, optical sensors are fragile, while resolvers are large and expensive. Timken has created a rugged, high-resolution magnetic-field speed and position sensor system on a computer chip. The sensor’s small size and durability mean it can fit close to bearings and in harsh environments. First used in 2007 in steering systems of some Korean-built vehicles. Connected key fob Code Systems Inc. Troy, Mich. Category: Product For: GM Advanced 2-Way Remote Start System A two-way key fob communicates at distances of 800 to 1,000 feet to give drivers such information as security status and tire pressures. Depending on vehicle equipment, the fob also can start the vehicle, open the trunk/hatch or power liftgate and check the fuel level and odometer. Data are displayed on the fob’s small LCD screen. The fob is the first twoway remote system to fully integrate into a vehicle’s computer communications and diagnostic system, or CAN bus. First used on many 2008 GM North American vehicles. Freeing up CAD data Siemens PLM Software Plano, Texas Category: Information Technology and Services For: UGS Synergy Siemens has created a way to share computer-aided design 3-D visual data between suppliers and automakers that are not tied to any specific CAD system or software. The large number of such systems and software has forced suppliers to maintain as many as 50 CAD systems and to support those with customer-specific design teams. Now suppliers can use a CAD system of their choosing and share data with automakers. The trademarked file format, JT, also helps protect intellectual property because, unlike an authored CAD file, it cannot be mined for otherwise proprietary design knowledge. First used in 2007 by Ford Motor Co.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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