Demands for tires with sustainable material compositions and a high compatibility with the unique requirements associated with electric drivetrain systems has led to the creation of a new green electric vehicle (EV) tire market with leading tier-1 suppliers ramping up development and commercial availability of the specific tires across vehicle segments (conventional and high-performance), tire segments (season-specific as well as original/aftermarket), and geographical markets. While high pro...

On 29 July, HELLA announced the divestment of 33.33% stake of integrated front end modules company Hella Behr Plastic Omnium (HBPO) GmbH to France-based Plastic Omnium for an equity value of EUR290 million (USD306.70 million). The transaction enables Plastic Omnium with complete ownership. The divestment is part of HELLA’s strategy to align its resources in the development of high growth business segments underlining FORVIA’s combined businesses which, aim to become a major technology-focuse...

Over the last few years developments in the driving assistance and automation feature market have driven demands for a new generation of automotive controllers that are able to process, analyze, and communicate increasingly large amounts of complex real-time data rapidly, efficiently, and flawlessly. A progressive electronification of vehicle systems, meanwhile, has led to the penetration of by-wire chassis systems equipped with electronic control units (ECUs) that process information fed fro...

Concerns over Scope 3 emission reporting regulatory requirements, government and investor pressures to decarbonize supply chains, and a progressive increase in fossil fuel steel prices owing to rising carbon prices have driven downstream consumer industries to increasingly switch toward the application of low-emission green steel for production operations. Driven by this demand, steel manufacturers have ramped up investments to decarbonize operations across global plants, while simultaneously se...

The global automotive industry reported a semiconductor shortage for the first time in the second half of calendar year (CY) 2020. That was the time when major automakers, which were looking to scale up production and revive industrial activities across the automotive supply chains, struggled to secure necessary supplies of mainly electronic and electrical components powered by the semiconductors. As demand for household appliances including consumer electronics and white goods, and cars witn...

While growth in the luxury and ultra-high performance vehicle segments has driven a progressive increase in demand for specialized carbon ceramic brake discs, component manufacturers of the particular tech have over the last few years increasingly looked toward expanding market share by penetrating the broader high-performance disc brake market that is currently dominated by ventilated cast iron rotors. This article will provide an extended discussion into how carbon ceramic discs are differe...

While countries such as the US, Japan, and mainland China have been enforcing fuel economy standards for over a decade to drive down domestic fuel consumption levels, concerns over climate change and continuously rising global average temperatures have led governments around the world to redouble efforts in cutting down domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to levels prescribed by the 2015 Paris Agreement. The initiative has driven regulatory agencies to roll out increasingly strict vehicle em...

The current steering systems market is primarily controlled by low-end, column-motor systems in the entry and lower-midclass vehicle segments and high-end, rack-motor systems in the upper-midclass and premium-class vehicle segments. However, steer-by-wire (SBW) steering systems will dominate the future of light vehicle (LV) steering technology owing to advances in vehicle electrical architectures and semiconductor-based, integrated controller performance as well as the gradual penetration of dri...

Airbags have been one of the essential passive safety technologies in vehicles, along with seatbelts. Automakers developed the idea to use airbags as a supplemental restraint system (SRS) for added occupants’ safety. With increasing safety regulations from rating bodies, such as New Car Assessment Programs (NCAP) and other regulatory authorities globally, awareness among individuals about vehicle safety is also contributing to instrumental increase in vehicle airbags. This development has led ...

On 24 February 2022, Russian forces initiated military operations in neighboring Ukraine, provoking a massive international geopolitical response aimed at financially isolating the country’s economy from the rest of the world. Western governments have since initiated wide-ranging sanctions that have cut off the country’s supply chains while simultaneously causing a large-scale exodus of international businesses from the country. While negotiations calling for a diplomatic solution to the cri...

UWB is a short-range wireless communication system that employs radio waves, similar to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. UWB can enable the very accurate measurement of time of flight (ToF) of the radio signal, leading to centimeter accuracy of distance and location calculations. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized the unlicensed use of UWB in 2002. According to recent IHS Markit analysis, the adoption of UWB technology will significantly rise in applications such ...

On 10 March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency that develops and enforces the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regulations relevant to vehicles sold in the United States, updated the 200-series occupant protection standards to account for autonomous vehicles that do not have the traditional manual controls associated with a human driver. This change came a month after General Motors (GM) sent a petition on behalf of its self-driving subsidiary C...

Since the late 1990s, adaptive or semi-active suspension technology has emerged as the top method of improving the ride comfort and handling performance of a car, seeing application in segments ranging from mid-segment sedans to high-performance roadsters. This article will attempt to answer questions related to the principles that differentiate semi-active suspension systems from others, the trends and drivers behind its projected growth for the future, the top systems currently available an...

On 31 January 2022, Faurecia announced that it completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA; the deal was announced on 14 August 2021. Faurecia SE (PAR:EO, market capitalization USD6.46 billion as on 21 February 2022) acquired 79.5% HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (XETRA:HLE, market capitalization USD7.93 billion as on 21 February 2022) shares with an investment of EUR5.3 billion (USD6.0 billion). This included 60% share package of the HELLA pool shareholders as wel...

In the early 2010s, with the launch of the very first “driving assistance” systems, automakers began to rely on the braking system’s electronic stability control (ESC) unit, originally designed to improve driving stability, to decelerate the vehicle without driver input, in emergencies. Since then, system requirements have continuously expanded to accommodate growing demands for more powerful, sustained, and responsive autonomous braking capabilities needed for semi-automated and automated...

The second-generation Opel/Vauxhall Mokka is assembled at the Stellantis Poissy facility in France. Output of this model, at the French plant, is expected to peak at more than 136,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit.

Produced by the Nissan since 2006, with most of the European volume built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. Nissan’s compact crossover SUV is now in its third generation. With production starting in June 2021, the all-new Qashqai is Nissan's first model built in Europe using a significant number of lightweight aluminum panels, IHS Markit forecast production will reach its highest level of 303,000 units in 2023.

The first-generation Audi e-tron GT is assembled alongside the Audi R8 at Audi’s Boellinger Hoefe facility in Germany. Output of this model is expected to peak at 14,000 units in 2026, according to IHS Markit.

The second-generation BMW 2-Series 2-door coupé (G42) is the first BMW designed by BMW of Mexico. It is also assembled in BMW's San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico. Output of this model is expected to peak at around 43,000 units in 2024, according to IHS Markit.

The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is assembled in Detroit Michigan, USA. Output of this model at the Michigan plants is expected to peak at around 480,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit.

The fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder is assembled at the Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant plant in Tennessee, USA. Output of this model at the Tennessee plant is expected to peak at around 115,000 units in 2024, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com

The second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost is assembled at the Rolls-Royce plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, UK. Output of this model is expected to peak at more than 2,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com

The second-generation Skoda Rapid is assembled at the Volkswagen Group Kaluga facility in Russia. Output of this model at the Russian plant is expected to peak at more than 27,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechinsight@ihsmarkit.com.

The importance of active safety systems in India came into focus in 2020 when consultancy Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) published a report that outlined the costs and benefits of electronic stability control (ESC) systems in G20 countries. While final dates have not been officially announced yet, the Indian government is expected to mandate fitment of ESC systems in all new cars in 2022. While the upcoming ESC regulation will be primarily aimed at improving safety, IHS Markit has identi...

The fourth-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson is assembled at Hyundai’s facility in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Output of the new version of the compact crossover SUV is expected to peak at more than 184,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation Lincoln Aviator is assembled at Ford’s facility in Chicago SHO, United States. Output of the new mid-sized luxury SUV is expected to peak at more than 2,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation BMW 4 Series is assembled at BMW’s facility in Dingolfing, Germany. Output of the new version of the two-door coupe is expected to peak at more than 45,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fourth-generation Skoda Octavia is assembled at the Volkswagen Group’s facility in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, as well as Russia contract manufacturer GAZ’s plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Output of the new version of the five-door compact car is expected to peak at more than 233,000 units in Mlada Boleslav in 2022 and peak at 27,000 units in Nizhny Novgorod in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways publishe...

The second-generation 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA is assembled at Daimler's facility in Kecskemet, Hungary. Output of the new version of the compact sedan is expected to peak at more than 98,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation 2021 Jeep Compass is assembled at Stellantis’ facility in Melfi, Italy. Output of the new version of the compact crossover SUV is expected to peak at more than 77,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The first-generation 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc is assembled at Volkswagen’s facility in Osnabruck, Germany. Output of the new version of the subcompact crossover is expected to peak at more than 15,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Automotive interior design will continue to be driven by efficiency, lightweight, comfort, and safety. The interiors are getting more complex day by day and their designs are required to meet various safety regulations, material compliance, weight reduction requirements, and higher noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance. Ultimately, the removal of the need for a driver (with the advent of autonomous vehicles) means these vehicles are likely to be oriented in a face-to-face layout eithe...

The first-generation DS 3 Crossback is assembled at Stellantis’ factory in Poissy, France. Output of the new version of the small crossover is expected to peak at more than 24,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The past few years have already seen intense competition and innovation in the automotive powertrain sector magnifying several times over due to challenging market conditions, ever stricter regulatory and environmental policies, and the disruptions in the form of electrification and new players entering the markets across the globe. Powertrain components and systems manufacturers worldwide have responded by rapidly increasing the development of new or improved products, and consolidating their b...

The third-generation 2019 Porsche Cayenne Coupe is assembled at Porsche's facility in Bratislava, Slovakia. Output of the new version of the mid-sized SUV is expected to peak at more than 22,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Light projection can be used to transform a vehicle and its surroundings. Not only does light have the ability to increase safety and functionality but it also offers manufacturers the ability to differentiate their vehicles with lighting design and create customizable driving experiences. Nowadays, a number of cars, mostly premium, are offering what is called projection lighting. Such technology can be used for light carpets, for instance,&...

The fourth-generation 2020 Seat Leon is assembled at Seat's facility in Martorell, Spain. Output of the new version of the hatchback is expected to peak at more than 129,000 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major disruption just as the automotive industry was beginning to show signs of recovery. With demand for semiconductors growing across most markets, especially in consumer electronics, the auto industry has been facing a significant shortage of chips since the beginning of the year. This dearth has resulted in all major automakers idling plants, which has put a considerable dent on vehicle production. Carmakers have lost out on the production of around 1.2 million...

The fifth-generation 2020 Toyota Supra is assembled at Toyota's facility in Graz #2, Austria. Output of the new version of the sports grand tourer is expected to peak at more than 8,800 units in 2022, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fourth-generation 2020 Audi A3 is assembled at Audi's facility in Ingolstadt #1, Germany. Output of the new version of the compact sedan is expected to peak at more than 59,000 units in 2023, according to IHS Markit. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation Renault Captur is assembled at Renault's facility in Valladolid, Spain. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Renault Captur from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 229,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The second-generation Land Rover Defender is assembled at Land Rover's facility in Nitra, Slovakia. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Land Rover Defender from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 54,000 units.  If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The semiconductor shortage crisis has hit the automotive industry at a time when the sector started to experience a moderate recovery in production levels following a pandemic-inflicted slowdown. The ramp up in demand of chips from the automotive industry started when the supply lines were already stretched by significant demand for chips from the consumer electronics sector, for 5G phones and infrastructure, new gaming platforms, and IT equipment. There are no easy fixes to the capacity constra...

The twelfth-generation Toyota Corolla is assembled at Toyota's facility in Tupelo, United States. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Toyota Corolla from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 160,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Having a high safety ranking is a unique value proposition (UVP) for any carmaker, coupled with the fact that safety norms worldwide are becoming increasingly stringent, and the number of vehicles on the roads are increasing globally at very high rates, the requirement to improve overall vehicular safety is of paramount importance to OEMs. Despite various safety measures dotting the modern automobile, one of the earliest and best-known active safety measures is the anti-lock braking system (A...

The seventh-generation Subaru Legacy is assembled at Subaru's facility in Lafayette #1, United States. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Subaru Legacy from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 29,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The automotive industry has witnessed a sharp deceleration in vehicle sales over the last couple of years. While the trend was expected to reverse by the second half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly sustain the slump. Despite the temporary setback, the industry is entering a crucial period. The increase in electric vehicle (EV) production, the advancement of autonomous driving technologies, and the deployment of connected car systems are going to drive demand in the automotive senso...

The first-generation BMW X7 is assembled at BMW's facility in Kaliningrad, Russia. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation BMW X7 from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 2,200 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The focus on ride quality is increasing and so is the demand for advanced, cost-effective suspension systems. Automotive suspension systems range from simple, passive spring-based systems to cutting-edge active systems that can independently raise or lower the height of vehicle at each wheel in response to the driving and terrain conditions. The progressive shift toward the usage of 48-V electrical architectures in automobiles, coupled with increased levels of vehicular autonomy, have facilit...

The third-generation Ford Kuga is assembled at Ford's facility in Valencia, Spain. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Ford Kuga from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 151,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

IHS Markit conducted a survey in July that asked 30 automotive semiconductor suppliers about the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral pandemic. According to the survey, most respondents saw demand for automotive semiconductors rebounding faster than expected compared to a previous IHS Markit poll in April. Although demand was returning, it was not happening at an alarming rate, and semiconductor inventory levels were relatively constant. In short, there were few indications of...

Electrification is by far one of the most active areas of automotive innovation these days. Vehicle manufacturers are being faced with constantly evolving and strengthening emission norms and standards, while simultaneously having to make their models more responsive to drive so as to keep up the appeal for potential customers. In the domain of torque management, e-axles have proven to be one such innovation that provides both these benefits in a vehicle. The channeling of the vehicle’s tor...

Comfort almost always ranks quite high in the list of criteria for customers looking to purchase a new vehicle, and carmakers have always invested significant time, effort, and money in making sure their vehicles’ A/C or climate control systems function as best as possible. In addition to heating up or cooling down the passenger cabin rapidly and efficiently, automotive A/C systems have evolved into multifunctional units that also filter out particulates, such as pollen and harmful pollutants,...

The brakes of an automobile are unquestionably one of the first lines of safety in motoring, and for this reason, vehicle manufacturers have invested and will certainly continue to dedicate significant investments in order to upgrade vehicle braking systems. Automotive brakes functioned through mechanical means such as cables for several years, but actuation methods have been modernized over time. Nowadays, brake actuation methods include hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical, or a combination of ...

The eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette is assembled at Chevrolet's facility in Bowling Green, United States. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Chevrolet Corvette from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 34,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

One of the most significant developments in recent times in the automotive field is the emergence of 48V electrical architecture. Steadily increasing levels of electrification in vehicles, from the introduction of electric power steering to large infotainment system displays, are placing heavier demand on the electrical systems of vehicles. Additionally, ever more stringent emission norms globally are forcing automakers to resort to downsizing of engine displacements without sacrificing on ...

The first-generation Opel/Vauxhall Grandland X is assembled at Opel's facility in Eisenach, Germany. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Opel/Vauxhall Grandland X from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 86,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Over many years of automotive innovation, vehicle safety has experienced many innovations and developments in order to keep occupants safe under almost all circumstances. Tracing back, the very first automotive safety feature is the braking system. Automotive brakes have also gone through their fair share of innovation—with brake drums being replaced by discs; different materials being tried for discs including cast iron, carbon composites, and ceramic; and the number of pistons being increase...

The first-generation Audi Q3 Sportback is assembled at Audi's facility in Gyor, Hungary. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Audi Q3 Sportback from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 35,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

One of the most important criteria when purchasing a new car is passenger comfort. Carmakers heavily invest in making their vehicles as comfortable as possible, and the A/C or climate control unit has been a focus area for advancement for a very long time. The pollution we face on our daily commutes, coupled with natural irritants or allergens such as pollen, has made sophisticated climate control systems the unique value proposition (UVP) for many vehicle manufacturers. While the earlier genera...

People have created personal connected ecosystems using their smartphones, laptops, and tablets with the recent trend shifting to cars. Automakers have realized the importance of this digitization and have begun rolling out tech-heavy vehicles, even in the conservative markets. Traditionally, addition of a new electronics technology meant integration of an electronic control unit (ECU) in the vehicle. However, many automakers are now increasingly consolidating different functions into single coc...

In order to create a vision of automated and accident-free driving, all parts of the vehicle need to be intelligent and connected. As such, dummy tire that provides no information about the tire itself and the road surfaces can be a barrier. Therefore, an inevitable evolution is a connected intelligent tire (CIT). What is a CIT? A tire with sensors embedded in the rubber to monitor the instantaneous status such as pressure; temperature; and even acceleration and/or strain to improve vehicl...

The fourth generation Toyota Yaris is assembled at Toyota’s plant in Valenciennes-Onnaing, France. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Toyota Yaris from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 129,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Ride comfort is one of the most important criteria for any new car buyer, especially considering that road infrastructure in many countries and regions across the globe may not be up to the mark. Automotive OEMs have and continue to invest significant amounts of time, money, and effort to make their vehicles more comfortable to drive, and a sizeable portion of attention is aimed particularly at the vehicles’ suspension systems. Automobile manufacturers have a wide variety of damper types to ch...

Keeping the lithium-ion batteries in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) within optimum temperature levels plays a key role in the efficiency of these vehicles, as temperatures that are too low or too high can degrade the ability of these batteries to store charge and deliver optimal voltages and amperages. In addition to peak battery performance, maintaining optimal battery temperature also plays an important role in improving battery charging times and maintaining battery life. This issue becom...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly disrupted all aspects of the automotive supply chain. Global efforts to control the spread of the virus have impacted both demand and supply, and in turn the industry cumulating in a sharp decline in production. Both automakers and automotive supplier manufacturing plants are either working on a lesser production capacity or have temporarily suspended manufacturing activities. Additionally, a combination of stringent federal laws, e...

Automotive OEMs across the globe are faced with the challenge of making their vehicles increasingly more efficient by cutting fuel consumption and emissions. A wide variety of measures exist for car manufacturers to employ and refine in order to achieve these desired effects, including improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle, using turbochargers, installing improved catalytic converters, cylinder deactivation, and auto stop-start. While the aforementioned methods have seen applications to vary...

Regulation is a strong market force throughout the automotive industry, and the autonomy sector is no different. In fact, given the central role of safety in the autonomy sector—from basic driver assistance to automated driving to autonomous mobility—regulations play a particularly critical role in shaping the future of this segment of the market. That impact is expected to be increasingly profound over time, and Europe is poised to experience this sooner and in greater force than any other ...

The second generation Nissan Juke is assembled at Nissan's facility in Sunderland #1, United Kingdom. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Nissan Juke from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 102,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Automotive steering systems have experienced occasional changes in terms of their design and complexity. While the basic technology has endured for generations, innovation has sporadically made noteworthy advancements to the way we steer our vehicles. After the advent of steering systems that used rack and pinion gears to turn the wheels, important advancements included the development of the collapsible steering column that improved driver safety in the event of a collision, power steering mech...

Automakers are on a constant quest to innovate amenities and convenience features to improve passenger comfort. The general trend with such technology is that they are initially introduced into the upper segments. However, over time, many such concepts and features trickle down to the more affordable segments. A case in point currently being seen is in the fitment of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) modules specifically for the rear of the vehicle. After the conventional air-cond...

The global automotive component production and supply chain has been drastically affected due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mainland China, South Korea, and Japan were among the first automotive component producers to be impacted in early-2020. Vehicle demand in these regions in February was severely affected by the nationwide quarantine measures introduced to keep the public at home so as to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The lockdown measures imposed by the Ch...

The sixth generation Volkswagen Polo is assembled at Volkswagen's facility in Kaluga, Russia. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Volkswagen Polo from the plant is expected to peak in 2022 at over 85,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

With the growing number of connected, autonomous, and electric vehicles on the road, ethernet in automotive is inevitable and will become crucial. The sixth edition of the annual Automotive Ethernet Congress was held in Munich on 12 and 13 February 2020. During the event, industry leaders and experts discussed new technologies, such as SerDes links and plastic optical fiber, and trends, such as the expected migration of the in-vehicle network (IVN) from the largely distributed, one-feature-per-E...

Safety has become an incredibly important priority for today’s automotive manufacturers. Vehicles are becoming increasingly powerful and more complex, and when that is coupled with improving road infrastructure in many parts of the world and a steadily rising density of automobiles, it has the potential to become a high-risk mix. Therefore, making vehicles as safe as possible is vital. Manufacturers have added a wide variety of safety features to their model lineups, and these features eventua...

The second generation BMW 8 Series is assembled at BMW's facility in Chengalpattu, India. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation BMW 8 Series from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 51 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

Electric parking brakes (EPBs), once seen as a luxury feature that was available only to buyers of high-end and premium vehicles, are poised to make significant inroads into lower vehicle segments. This technology replaces the conventional hand-operated brake lever with a switch that operates the brakes, and it was first introduced by BMW in its 7-Series luxury sedan in 2001. The advent of the EPB has also directly resulted in the development and proliferation of the hill-hold assist system. ...

The world of today is highly aware of the problems posed, and the far-reaching ramifications, of climate change. As a result, increased levels of efficiency and optimization are demanded in every sphere, and one area where this is felt more strongly than anywhere else, is in the automotive sector. Automobile OEMs are progressively favoring engines that have ever smaller displacements in order to lower fuel consumption. However, as reducing engine capacity will have an adverse effect on power and...

Automakers are exploring headlamps as a location for lidar sensors to achieve automated driving functionalities. According to IHS Markit, vehicles in future will have digital lighting system that will include a camera, lidar, and other sensors combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to understand the environment better and improve overall safety. According to Dexin Chen, senior research analyst, Semiconductors & Components, IHS Markit, putting lidar into headlamps is a good option from de...

The second generation Mercedes Benz GLA is assembled at Daimler's facility in Rastatt, Germany. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Mercedes Benz GLA from the plant is expected to peak in 2021 at over 127,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The fast-paced technology developments in the automotive industry have made consolidation almost a necessity in order to keep pace with the changes, not just in the powertrain domain, but across the industry. We have witnessed a number of consolidations in the form of mergers and acquisitions over the last couple of years, and 2020 has started on a similar note. Last week, BorgWarner announced one of the biggest developments in the powertrain segment when it decided to fully acquire...

The growth in electrification, connected car and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), along with the strict regulatory emphasis on emission norms in the automotive industry, have set the ball rolling for changes that are expected to continue well into this decade. Multiple macro-economic factors led to depleted auto sales in 2019 around the world. Automakers cut car production during the year leading to, what IHS Markit predicts, will be a 2.9% drop in semiconductor sales. Power semiconduc...

The second generation Audi A1 is assembled at Audi's facility in Martorell, Spain. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Audi A1 from the plant is expected to peak in 2020 at over 81,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The automotive thermal sector witnessed a wide range of innovations and developments, from improving vehicle efficiency to making vehicle occupants more comfortable. Irrespective of whether automobiles are being powered by conventional forms of drive such as internal combustion engines, or by new generation methods such as hybrid powertrain, electric motors or fuel cells, thermal management will always be in demand. As a result, IHS Markit forecasts for the majority of components in the aut...

As the industry shifts towards autonomous driving and connected car technologies, vehicles and the back-end systems supporting these functionalities will become more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States defines cybersecurity as the protection of automotive electronic systems, communication networks, control algorithms, software, users, and underlying data from malicious attacks, damage, unauthorized access,...

The response to climate change has been the defining aspect of this year for car makers and component manufacturers with regard to the powertrain sector. Car markets across the globe witnessed the creation and implementation of more stringent emission norms, forcing OEMs and ancillary companies to redesign and/or come up with new components in order to adhere to the new regulations. Another direct result of this pressure on automotive OEMs to cut down on emissions is the drive for increa...

The buzzword for the automotive chassis sector in 2019 was “consolidation”. Ever increasing competition, falling demands and spiraling costs meant that different companies have felt the need to work together in order to outperform the competition and market standards, and reduce their exposure to risk in a volatile economy. This has been amplified by the emergence of technologies such as autonomous driving, which, according to IHS Markit data has resulted in approximately USD100 billion bein...

The third generation Mercedes Benz B-Class is assembled at Daimler's facility in Rastatt, Germany. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Mercedes Benz B-Class from the plant is expected to peak in 2020 at over 86,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail Aman.kapoor@ihsmarkit.com.

The global chassis systems market is currently undergoing a sea change, and strategies of both OEMs and suppliers are, above all, being molded by the emergence of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. A growing number of chassis systems are being designed to be intelligent and directly contribute to ride comfort and passenger safety. This prompted the formation of partnerships such as Autoliv Nissin Kogyo Braking Systems back in 2016 (the company is now known as Veon...

New developments and technological advancements in the automotive powertrain sector are taking place at an unprecedented pace. The focus is on ramping up power and torque levels delivered to the wheels from powertrain units that are increasingly more efficient, in addition to being lighter in weight and more compact in dimensions. Apart from countries such as the United States, vehicles equipped with manual transmissions continue to be the mainstay for customers in the vast majority of car ma...

While a raft of macro-economic factors, including the Sino-US ‘trade war’ and a slump in the Chinese automotive market, have led to a fall in vehicle production over the past two years, hybrid (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) production grew in double-digits in 2018, and the momentum is continuing in 2019. Recent production data shows that there was a double-digit growth in hybrid and electric vehicle segment in 2018 and a significant 75% increase in the battery electric vehicles (B...

Overview A key component of any automotive air conditioning system is the condenser. The condenser is a heat exchange system that condenses the refrigerant from a vapor state to a liquid state, thereby transferring latent heat to the surroundings and lowering the temperature of the air that is circulated within the passenger cabin. Types of AC condensers There are multiple types of AC condensers, and they can be categorized into the following : Tube and fin Serpentine Multi fl...

Automakers and suppliers are joining forces to deal with the immense challenges created by megatrends such as connected cars, electrification, and autonomous driving. Today, there are hardly any automakers which are not investing in these fields. For new innovations with regards to these megatrends and to better serve their customers, suppliers are required to make sizeable investments in research and development (R&D), which may not be feasible for many of them individually. This is leading...

The first generation Skoda Kamiq is assembled at Skoda's facility in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic. According to IHS Markit production forecasts, output of the new generation Skoda Kamiq from the plant is expected to peak in 2020 at more than 90,000 units. If you would like your company included in this feature or the car cutaways published in Automotive News or Automotive News Europe, please e-mail autotechInsight@ismarkit.com.

As the industry moves towards autonomous vehicles, it is important to create an ecosystem that not only sustains the progress but also creates an environment for collaboration and information sharing. It is difficult for one company to take on the responsibility of creating an autonomous vehicle entirely from scratch, given the complexities such as data management, safety and power consumption. The time and cost incurred in research and development is another deterrent. On 8 October, at the 15th...

Automotive manufacturers across the globe are investing ever increasing amounts of time, effort and money in order to make the interiors of their vehicles better. Vehicle owners are spending longer durations in their cars than ever before in history, particularly due to longer commute times. Studies have shown that, in the United States alone, commuters lose nearly a hundred hours each year due to traffic congestion. This, coupled with unpredictable weather patterns, has resulted in the need to ...

A study by the European Union (EU) in 2017 states that cars are responsible for around 12% of total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the EU. By 2021, under the emission reduction targets planned by the EU, all new cars must achieve an average of 95 grams of CO₂ emissions per kilometer. This means fuel consumption of around 4.1L per 100 km, or 24.4 km/L, for petrol and 3.6L per 100 km, or 27.7 km/L, for diesel. One of the measures determined by the EU to improve air quality in metropolitan a...

Vehicle systems today are increasingly attempting to reduce driver dependence in the event of a crash, apart from day-to-day driving. Braking systems are also being looked at from a critical eye in this respect, in order to further the safety cause in an imminent autonomous future. No longer looking to develop completely manually operated brakes, automakers and suppliers are turning to electronics to assist drivers when braking, by way of brake assist, emergency braking, and other such functions...

It is a common belief that the chassis of a vehicle has had limited evolution, when compared to other sectors of the car, such as powertrain or electronics. However, in the last decade, the chassis has seen several advancements, not just in terms of its structure, but also the way the chassis is conceived. For instance, chassis is no longer just a frame to the car, rather a dynamic component in the vehicle that needs to be able to ‘communicate’ even if passively, to the rest of the vehicle. ...