In November, Renesas Electronics Corporation unveiled its latest automotive semiconductor strategy targeting all major applications across the automotive digital domain. While industry giants like NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Mobileye dominate discussions on next-generation automotive electrical/electronic (E/E) platforms, Renesas has carved out a unique position by announcing its new addition to the R-Car platform, R-Car Gen 5 systems on chip (SoCs) and chiplet options. This comprehensive semiconductor...

The increasing use of plastics in the automotive industry, particularly in the context of electric vehicles, has brought about a complex challenge in the realm of recycling. As the demand for lightweight materials rises, plastics play a crucial role in offsetting the additional weight of EV batteries. Not only do certain high-performance plastics enhance safety in collisions, but they also contribute to the overall efficiency and sustainability of automotive design. Recycling plastics from ba...

Hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle charging stations are needed around the world to support the transition to electric mobility. However, not all countries are moving at the same pace to build public EV charging infrastructure. This is due to many reasons, including the growth rate of EV sales and cost of acquiring and installing charging stations, which can vary significantly in many countries due to state and federal credits, rebates and incentives. For public charging station compan...

In a vote held earlier in November, the European Parliament endorsed a modified Euro-7 emissions regulation, bringing testing procedures for new cars more in line with Euro 6 standards. While praised by some as a middle ground, apprehensions linger regarding the potential relaxation of car pollution standards. The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will begin discussions with the EU government to finalize the new rules. What was proposed a year back in November 2022? The European Co...

Cockpits with advanced user-friendly features and innovative technologies are prevailing norms in the automotive industry. The growing connectivity, high-speed wireless bandwidth, and increasing software content prompted original equipment manufacturers to push boundaries to attract new-age car buyers with distinct features. This trend is further accelerated by the proliferation of electric vehicles that are getting tech-laden cockpits. Among the impressive list of new features finding their way...

The mobility industry is leveraging the cloud and various smart devices to provide a highly secure way of accessing the vehicle — one that features many more functionalities than merely locking or unlocking the doors. As mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) use cases now assume greater significance than ever before, flexible yet secure digital vehicle access systems are swiftly becoming the norm. Digital vehicle keys enable a significantly improved user experience owing to their ease of use, conven...

Founded in 2013, What3Words is a geocoding application that divides the world into a grid containing 57 trillion 3-meter by 3-meter squares and assigns each square a unique three-word address instead of alphanumeric coordinates. Each of the three words in a What3Words address corresponds to a specific square on the map, and the order of the words is important for accuracy. The words are randomly assigned to each square, but the system uses an algorithm to ensure that similar-sounding words ar...

The second-generation Toyota C-HR is assembled the Sakarya plant in Turkey, marking Toyota Motor Europe's (TME) first European battery assembly. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 131742 in 2025, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Over the past few years, the Intelligent Smart Embedded LED (ISELED) Alliance has grown to over 50 members, with top suppliers such as Valeo, Antolin, Hella, Magna and Renesas, among many others. ISELED is based on smart LED modules, offering smart control and communication of each LED, as well as calibration of color and brightness during LED module production. ISELED technology can be used not just for automotive interior lighting but for external lighting, general transport, aerospace and ind...

ZF's steer-by-wire (SbW) innovations and future market projections: ZF showcased advanced X-by-Wire technologies at IAA Mobility 2023, encompassing SbW, brake-by-wire (BBW) and active damping. These technologies collectively create a highly integrated and responsive vehicle control system, marking a significant leap toward software-defined vehicles. ZF’s SbW systems enable full autonomous control for shuttles and robo-taxis, with added features such as retractable steering wheels and imp...

Over the years, quality and functionality of vehicle interiors have emerged as key considerations among new vehicle buyers globally. Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) see this as an opportunity to improve customers’ ownership experience and brand loyalty. This is driving adoption of better interior trim quality even in price-sensitive, volume-segment cars.      Automakers consider interior trim quality in their new vehicles from an early stage of develop...

The automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation, driven by a relentless pursuit for enhanced performance, weight reduction and the electrification of vehicles. This paradigm shift is reshaping materials and manufacturing processes, with notable implications for the entire supply chain. One prominent shift is the anticipated decline in the usage of mild steel, making way for higher-strength materials such as steel alloys, aluminum and advanced composites. Advanced hig...

Inadequate illumination has been one of the key factors of road accidents when driving at night. Although a vehicle’s headlights feature high-beam and low-beam lights, drivers generally refrain from using the high-beam light, fearing this might glare drivers of other vehicles and other road users, causing accidents. For such drivers, adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights came as a big relief. The intelligent headlights automatically adjust their high-beam lights according to driving condition...

In mid-October, Nikkei reported that Japanese city Kashiwa is testing a technology that will allow electric vehicles (EV) to recharge wirelessly while being driven on public roads. Japan has joined a growing list of countries in Europe, mainland China and North America, where such projects are underway to gauge the safety, reliability and commercialization aspects of the technology. In the Japanese project, where charging coils have been embedded in the road surface at traffic signals, tests are...

On October 9, 2023, Schaeffler came up with voluntary public tender offer of $3.8 billion to buy Vitesco Technologies Group AG. As per Schaeffler, its decision to buy Vitesco is to strengthen its offerings in the electrification field. Vitesco was spun out of Continental in April 2021 with the aim to focus on electrification, e-mobility and electronics and quickly address the shift towards electric mobility. On October 17, Vitesco said its Executive Board and Special Committee would evaluate the...

The future of automotive in-cabin experiences is being increasingly driven by digitization and user personalization. The industry has already seen how customized driver/passenger profiles enriched with insights from AI-driven analytics can pre-set functions such as temperature, seat and steering adjustment, audio volume, radio station choices, and even navigation recommendations. The current state of embedded in-car navigation For in-car navigational purposes, usually the default routing o...

The arrival of the software-defined vehicle, with its high compute power and robust cloud connectivity, is positively impacting many facets of the automotive industry, one of them being in-car commerce. Vehicles have begun to function as mobile wallets as automakers, traditional payment companies, digital infrastructure providers and technology companies come together to seize revenue streams arising out of the connected dashboard. The days of drivers digging out their wallets at a gas station o...

Braking beyond boundaries: The electromechanical brake (EMB) breakthrough The landscape of braking systems in modern automobiles reflects a dynamic interplay between innovation, safety and environmental consciousness. The evolution of brakes, once primarily mechanical, has taken on a new dimension with the infusion of electronic components and a keen focus on intelligent, integrated systems. In the realm of safety, the integration of electronic features, such as automatic braking systems (...

Mainland China-based battery-cell maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) is already one of the leading lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell suppliers to the automotive industry. Established in 2011, CATL catered to more than 29% of the demand of Li-ion batteries from the light-vehicle segment in 2022. The company competes with suppliers such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and Panasonic. In 2022, CATL Group (including all its joint ventures) supplied more than 187 GWh of Li-ion cells to th...

The automotive industry is currently experiencing profound shifts, ranging from electrification to the introduction of innovative vehicle features. Central to these transformations is the escalating importance of semiconductors. Traditional computing capacities housed in electronic control units (ECU) based on microcontroller units (MCUs) are rapidly becoming inadequate in the face of the expanding computational demands brought on by advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), communication proto...

Andersen EV is owned by David Martell, who founded Chargemaster in 2008 before selling it to BP 10 years later. He was an advisor on electric vehicle infrastructure to the UK government’s Transport Department from 1995 to 2000. We caught up with him to learn more about the UK home-charging market. Takeaways: Unlike many competitors in the market, the Andersen A2 focuses on design and aesthetic appeal. The charger integrates smart technology, offering features such as solar compatibili...

UK-based Dymag specializes in carbon-hybrid wheels, which feature a carbon-fiber rim combined with a metallic center made of high-strength-formed aluminum or magnesium. These wheels target the luxury-performance market and provide weight savings over traditional aluminum wheels. The company is working with its partner Hankuk Carbon to accelerate time-to-market. To learn more, we spoke to Tom de Lange, CEO of Dymag. The following is an edited transcript of the conversation. General S&...

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving (AD), connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle's electric/electronic (E/...

According to the current market trends, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) seem to be the preferred technology for zero-emission light passenger vehicles. However, for commercial vehicles (light, medium and heavy) and large passenger vehicles such as buses, battery electric propulsion as a solution may not be an optimal choice due to the need of a large battery, increased driving range and reduced charging time. For such vehicle types, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) emerge as a viable choice ...

According to S&P Global Mobility, the production of electric light vehicles in mainland China is expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% between 2023 and 2030, reaching a total of 19 million units. The electric vehicle industry in mainland China has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, firmly establishing the country as a global leader in the EV sector. China holds the distinction of being the world's largest EV market, contributing to over half of g...

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle electric/electronic (E/E) arch...

In our recent insight titled “The battle for e-drive supremacy: Make vs. Buy,” we discussed how the majority of OEMs are opting to in-source e-drive components, mostly e-motors and overall eAxle system integration, owing to a variety of reasons: Obtain competitive advantage: For electric vehicle makers, range and efficiency are the key differentiators as potential customers seek EVs that provide a higher range and faster charging. Electric drive components such as e-motors and inverter...

The IAA Mobility is an annual auto show held in Munich, Germany, encompassing various automotive trends and technologies. Held at the Munich Exhibition Center from September 5 to September 10, the show attracted more than 500,000 people from all over the world. This edition saw more than 300 world premieres and innovations from about 750 exhibitors. While autonomous and electric mobility inevitably grabbed the attention, there were numerous interesting developments covering the vehicle’s inter...

During the life cycle of an electric vehicle (EV), battery cell manufacturing and raw material mining has the biggest contribution toward CO2 emissions. The other major challenge is with the supply of critical raw materials, such as cobalt, nickel and lithium. As EV uptake picks up pace, production of lithium-ion battery cells will also have to expand in line to meet the demand. This is expected to put huge pressure on the raw material supply chain of these materials. Along with availa...

Autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is a vision of future transport that involves driverless vehicles providing on-demand and personalized transportation services to users. Autonomous MaaS has the potential to offer many benefits, such as lower costs, higher convenience, improved safety, reduced emissions, reduced downtime and increased accessibility. However, there are also many challenges that need to be overcome before autonomous MaaS can become a reality. MaaS and robo-taxis are nonet...

Recently, Tesla announced that it will transition its electrical and electronics (E/E) architecture from 12V to 48V. The purpose behind this decision is to structurally improve power efficiency and further advance vehicle lightweighting. The decision is in line with Tesla's strategy to pursue architectural and modular innovation, and signifies the strengthening of its component ecosystem. During Tesla's Investor Day in March, the company hinted at the adoption of a 48V-based E/E architecture....

Think of any popular car on sale today equipped with a modern sound system — evidently, mounted with anywhere between 15-20 or more speakers, occupying sizable space and adding considerable weight to the overall vehicle. What if the customer gets the same immersive audio or an even better experience without the speakers? A win-win proposition; however, it appears the industry is taking time for this technological shift toward truly speakerless audio. But can the rise of electric vehicles prope...

For years, automakers equipped vehicles with lighting systems to perform certain functions: Headlights for illuminating the road in front of the driver and taillights for making the vehicle noticeable for other road users, as well as for helping the driver to inform others about their driving intentions, such as braking, changing lanes, or reversing the vehicle. However, today, automakers offer newer exterior illumination solutions that do not perform any specific tasks except to enhance the ext...

The International Motor Show Germany, popularly known as the IAA or Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung in German, is one of the world’s most keenly observed and influential mobility events. Held from September 5 to 10 in Munich, the 2023 version of the show played host to about 750 exhibitors from 38 countries, showcasing more than 300 world premieres and innovations. Nearly half a million visitors and 3,700 journalists from 82 different countries attended IAA Mobility 2023. Analysts from...

Semiconductor exhibitions recently witnessed a resurgence in participation, with attendee and sponsor numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The TSMC Symposium and SEMICON West are two such notable events that concluded a few months ago revealing several clear industry trajectories. Paramount among these is the automotive sector's emergent dominance within the semiconductor landscape. It is no longer just about in-car entertainment; we are witnessing a seismic shift as vehicles evolve into tech...

After a week into the persisting standoff with the Detroit Three – General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Stellantis – the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced on September 22 that it is expanding the ongoing strike to 38 parts distribution locations across 20 states in the US. In its second wave, the UAW strike aims to target the aftersales and service facilities, which is expected to have a direct and immediate impact on the carmaker’s dealerships, and therefore customers. While the UA...

Organic LED (next-generation display technology OLED) is finding takers in the automotive industry. From taillights to interior lighting, automakers are warming up to the idea of using OLED as their light-based applications. OLED is made from organic materials such as carbon and uses multiple layers of organic semiconductors. OLEDs contain two electrodes, one of which is transparent. Low voltage (about 4 V) causes the semiconductor layers to emit light. The color depends on the molecules within ...

The software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services, such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, espec...

Range is of utmost importance in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and automakers are working continuously to improve this feature. However, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems used for cabin-comfort features put a huge strain on the range of BEVs. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, BEVs do not have an engine to act as a heat source that can help warm the cabin during cold climatic conditions. To do so, BEVs need to use a direct resistive-heating device, su...

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services, including charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicles, enhanced safety systems, as well as fintech and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, especially the softwa...

The world of cellular communication is entering the advanced fifth generation that promises to take the wireless mobile network to the next level with its low latency and higher speed. The automotive industry, which now heavily relies on connectivity and communications, is going to benefit in the shift toward 5G Advanced and 6G mobile communication technology, much like the previous generations.  The 5G network infrastructure is being set up globally and is expected to reach its full pot...

Communication between vehicles and everything around them, often referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X), have developed along two distinct technical paths based upon the underlying technology being used—wireless local area networks which are standardized around the IEEE 802.11p specifications (also called dedicated short-range communications or DSRC), and of course, cellular V2X that is based around LTE and 5G specifications published by the 3GPP (also called C-V2X). C-V2X—the clear w...

The automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation driven by evolving consumer preferences and mounting concerns about climate change. Key challenges include reducing vehicle weight, improving crash performance and lowering construction costs. Composite materials, known for their superior strength-to-weight ratio, are emerging as a key solution for designing lightweight automotive components. This shift toward composites is primarily driven by their potential to signifi...

The Mercedes Benz CLE is produced at the company’s plant Bremen  in Germany. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 63833  in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

According to S&P Global Mobility, hybrid and electric light vehicle production in the United States is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% between 2023 and 2030 to 9.8 million units. This is also going to drive demand for EV motors (e-motors) in the country, which we forecast will grow at a CAGR of 20% over the same period to 14 million units. Besides its application in other industries, electrical steel is also used in the manufacturing of e-motors and charger...

The light-vehicle sunroof market has seen robust growth over the past five to eight years. Rising consumer aspiration to have this feature in their vehicles, especially in key markets of mainland China, Europe and North America, has been the biggest growth driver. The trend is expected to continue in the current era of electromobility. However, vehicle electrification is leading to a clear shift in the demand mix of sunroofs. Automakers are preferring to equip their EVs with fixed panoramic glas...

 The Volkswagen ID3 is produced at  the parent plant in Wolfsburg in Germany. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 43,000  in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Amid the race for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and combating climate change, research and development (R&D) on hydrogen-powered vehicles are gaining ground, especially around its applications in large commercial trucks and buses. Hydrogen is now increasingly seen as a more practical choice than large batteries for these vehicles. According to S&P Global Mobility, global demand for fuel-cell medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCVs) is projected to exceed 72,000 units by 203...

There is no denying that connected cars generate big data. Data has received increasing attention in the automotive industry over the last five to 10 years, alongside the expansion of connected-vehicle fleets and the digital-services ecosystem. More global players have placed data on the top of their strategic agendas as they prepare to engage in new data-driven business models. Additionally, the software-defined vehicle and its always-on connectivity have made it possible to monetize data and s...

The gradual trend toward higher vehicle speeds observed in recent decades has brought about the requirement for novel service brakes. These brakes must possess substantial potency to facilitate rapid deceleration within limited braking distances. Furthermore, they must maintain a compact form factor to seamlessly integrate within the spatial confines dictated by contemporary suspension and steering geometry configurations. Simultaneously, the ongoing shift toward vehicle electrification has u...

In 2015, BMW presented its 7 Series sedan with Welcome Light Carpet, a new lighting innovation that illuminated the ground on both sides of the car, guiding driver (and passengers) to the doors of the car. The Welcome Light Carpet, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena, Germany used microoptics lenses in a honeycomb array to create a stripped pattern of light. The tiny projectors were mounted under the body sill below the front door. Fi...

Lumotive's optical semiconductor solutions enable advanced sensing and perception capabilities in next-generation consumer, mobility and industrial automation products, such as mobile devices, autonomous vehicles and robots. On July 27, Lumotive announced that it has entered a commercial agreement with camera-module specialist Namuga, which will leverage Lumotive's Light Control Metasurface (LCM) chipsets to develop solid-state lidar module solutions for a range of 3D-sensing applications in aut...

The automotive industry has been diligently working toward the realization of fully automated vehicles, ushering in an era of transformative mobility and unprecedented safety on the roads. Although the industry is making progress in ensuring that the technology is secure, the regulation that could enforce safety requirements is largely absent or outdated in many geographies. For better or worse, the same is true for regulations governing the testing and use of autonomous vehicles and mobility...

Globally, automakers are increasingly offering features that enhance comfort of occupants in vehicles. These include seats with lumbar support and massage systems, as well as heated, ventilated, and climate-controlled seats. While providing comfort is among the key focus areas, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are now offering solutions aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the driver and passengers. This insight offers a preview of some of the latest innovations in this rea...

The instrument cluster (IC) is known for its vital function of providing consistent and accurate information about the vehicle to the driver. The automotive market is now predominantly moving toward analog-digital and fully digital ICs. This trend is driven by an increasingly connected and digital cockpit, propelled by the proliferation of electric vehicles.  According to S&P Global Mobility data, in 2022 the analog IC share of 12% (9.4 million units) is likely to drop to 5.6% (4.9 m...

NXP Connects is an annual conference organized by tier-1 semiconductor supplier NXP Semiconductors. The conference brings together industry professionals, engineers, designers and technology enthusiasts to explore the latest advancements in the world of semiconductors, embedded systems, and internet of things (IoT) technologies. NXP Connects provided a platform for attendees to gain insights into NXP's cutting-edge products, solutions and technologies. The conference featured keynote presenta...

Mercedes Benz E-class : The Mercedes Benz E-class  is produced at Sindelfingen plant in Germany. The new, W214-generation model is expected to peak at more than 134204  in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

In July, an important piece of legislation related to electric vehicle charging received a boost in Europe. Members of the European Parliament (MEP) approved and adopted the new proposed rules under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The AFIR, in essence, is the successor to the original Directive 2014/94/EU on alternative-fuel infrastructure, called the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive (AFID). The directive created a framework for deployment of infrastructure net...

Europe grapples with the management of over 6 million end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) annually, resulting in environmental issues and economic losses. The automotive industry's heavy reliance on primary raw materials exacerbates the problem, necessitating a sustainable solution. To combat this, the EU has unveiled its ELV regulation, revising 3R Type-Approval (3RTA) directives on ELVs and reusability, recyclability and recoverability. The primary goal is to promote circularity by reusing and recycli...

In battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), range is of utmost importance and automakers are working continuously to improve it. However, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems used for cabin comfort features put a huge strain on range of BEVs. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, BEVs do not have an engine to act as heat source that can help warm the cabin during winter months. To warm the cabins in BEVs during winter months/cold climatic conditions, a direct resistive h...

Access to charging stations is one of the main priorities for electric vehicle buyers. According to the 2022 E-Mobility consumer analysis conducted by S&P Global Mobility in late 2022, most respondents believe that the existing charging infrastructure was insufficient for their charging needs. This opinion differs by country with Japanese respondents coming in at the lowest end with only about 7% believing the infrastructure was sufficient, while those in mainland China were the highest a...

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to become mainstream and witness rapid adoption across the world, securing an uninterrupted supply of rare earth elements (REEs) has emerged as a critical issue for automakers and governments alike. Demand for REEs and other critical materials for battery and permanent magnet for e-motors is expected to witness an exponential rise over the next decade, compelling automakers, tier 1 suppliers and governments to look for ways to establish a secure and sustainabl...

The software-defined vehicle architecture is poised to bring about a transformative shift in the automotive industry by facilitating a flexible and adaptable solution for the assimilation of cutting-edge technologies, features and services such as charging infrastructure, predictive maintenance, autonomous driving, connected vehicle, enhanced safety systems, as well as financial technology and blockchain. This necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of the vehicle E/E architecture, especially t...

As soon as a vehicle is connected to the internet, it turns into a hub for an entire ecosystem of connected services driven by data and content generated both inside and outside the car. Depending on how the value of the data changes and what new data become valuable during the coming decades, vehicle-related data segments will continue to hold value for various industries, including automotive. Premium infotainment, feature upgrades and enhancements, service unlocks, premium advanced driver ass...

Sensing technology that uses short-wave infrared (SWIR) can do a better job than solid state and spinning lidar, and is 10 times cheaper and less complex, according to TriEye. To learn more, we spoke to Avi Bakal, CEO and co-founder of TriEye. TriEye, a semiconductor startup based in Israel, has launched its Spectrum Enhanced Detection and Ranging (SEDAR) platform. Backed by Intel, Samsung and Porsche, SEDAR uses SWIR technology to provide 2D imaging and 3D-depth sens...

The Volkswagen  ID.7 is produced at the company’s plant Emden in Germany. The vehicle is expected to peak at more than 49967  in 2024, according to S&P Global Mobility forecast.

Lately, automakers seem to have taken a huge liking to the concept of microtransactions. With cars becoming more software defined, smart and connected, there is a growing consensus in the automotive industry that new vehicles are designed, developed and sold with a clear focus on offering features that go behind a paywall. This is to ensure that original equipment manufacturers can create revenue streams that will continue during the entire life of a vehicle. However, can OEMs put all factory-fi...

With the rapid rates of electric vehicle adoption continuing in major markets globally, legislative agendas supporting aggressive transitions to phase out mainstream internal combustion engine (ICE) usage, and supply chains gearing up accordingly, the narrative around electrification technology is shifting toward one of maturity and scale. Click the link above to download the full article.

The automotive industry is definitely in the middle of a digital transformation, and this trend is manifested nowhere more visibly than the vehicle cockpit. With the rise in connectivity and shared mobility use cases comes higher in-vehicle infotainment and entertainment aspirations for all vehicle occupants, further propagating the use of more displays and tactile screens. A lot, however, is also happening around the less visible technologies in the cockpit, i.e., those that do not feature disp...

The automotive industry's focus on lightweighting with aluminum has become crucial in the pursuit of reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. The rise of electrification has further driven the demand for aluminum as it allows for lightweighting electric vehicle components and offsets the weight of batteries. This aligns with the industry's sustainability goals, as aluminum is highly recyclable. One significant factor contributing to the growing usage of aluminum in automobiles is the...

Everyone likes a simpler life, not least OEMs that would like to reduce complexity in their in-vehicle audio offering by deleting AM radio reception. AM radio itself harks back to simpler times at the start of the 20th century, but the OEMs’ best laid plans to simplify their offering are under threat of disruption. The AM radio, considered fundamental to America’s National Public Warning System, is now being dropped by automakers in their new electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. Interven...

The global boom in electric-vehicle production will have a significant impact on copper mines, as the demand for copper in the automotive sector is set to skyrocket. This surge in demand is primarily due to the exceptional properties of copper that makes it indispensable in the EV sector. Copper's remarkable conductivity, comparable to silver, and its ability to withstand temperature variations makes it ideal for high-speed data wires in vision systems and sensors. Additionally, copper plays ...

Automotive paint films are made from paint that can be applied in layers without the need for heat; this offers environmental benefits and new aesthetic options compared with traditional automotive paint. They can be applied to various surfaces and provide sustainability benefits by reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. To learn more, we caught up with Daniel Bencun, CEO, PPG Advanced Surface Technologies. The following is an edited transcript of the conversation: S&P Global M...