Blog: Automotive Design & Production

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 21, 2018 at 6:05 AM

If 40 percent is the number of autonomous vehicles that need to be out there for noticeable improvement, a whole lot more companies are going to have to be doing what Audi is.

Automotive Electronics

VW Big on the Future

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 20, 2018 at 6:08 AM

By 2022, according to Volkswagen Group, the company will have spent some 34-billion euro on developing capabilities and products for the future of transportation—which surely indicates that the future is only a few years from now.

Automotive Design

The Return of J Mays

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 19, 2018 at 1:12 PM

One of the biggest criticisms that is levied against the styling of vehicles is that they “look like an appliance.” The appliance in question, of course, is in what is known as the “white goods” category, as in the classic white enameled refrigerator, washer, dryer, or other such product that is now difficult to find in white.

HERE and Time to Drive

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 18, 2018 at 6:41 AM

One of the jobs that may be eliminated in the not-too-distant future is that of providing traffic reports on the radio on the 8s.

Automotive Management

Inside Ford

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 17, 2018 at 7:41 AM

On this edition of “Autoline After Hours” Joann Muller, Detroit bureau chief for Forbes, provides insights into what she’s learned about Ford, insights that are amplified on the show by our other panelists, Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit who specializes in the auto industry, and Todd Lassa, Detroit Bureau Chief for Automobile.

Sponsored Content

Potential Savings with an Automated Turning Cell Add Up: Case in Point

September 13, 2018 at 3:56 PM

Aside from reducing labor and need for extra fixturing, automated turning provides several opportunities for saving time and money. Here’s how.

Automotive Design

Ford Building in Detroit—Not Just a Structure but a Community

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 13, 2018 at 9:06 AM

The Michigan Central Station in Detroit that Ford is transforming from an abandoned Beaux Arts shambles into the place from which its mobility future will be largely defined and created has been vacant since 1988, 500,000-square feet of something that has been used by film makers in need of striking ruins, used by graffiti artists and scribblers because it was there.

Automotive Body

2019 Toyota Avalon Touring

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 12, 2018 at 6:38 AM

Ordinarily where writing about the experiences with a car in this space, it generally goes to the various and sundry characterizes of the vehicle, ranging from the powertrain performance to the comfort of the seats, with a generous dash of specs added.

Automotive Production

VW, HP, GKN and 3D

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 11, 2018 at 7:39 AM

“A complete vehicle will probably not be manufactured by a 3D printer any time soon, but the number and size of parts from the 3D printer will increase significantly,” according to Dr. Martin Goede, head of Technology and Planning and Development, Volkswagen.

Automotive Design

Taylor: From Rolls to FAW

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 11, 2018 at 6:29 AM

FAW is a Chinese state-owned vehicle manufacturer that’s headquartered in Changchun, which is about 600 miles northeast of Beijing.

Automotive Electronics

ZF and the Development of Tech for Autonomy

By: Gary S. Vasilash - September 10, 2018 at 8:35 AM

As executive vp with global operational responsibility for the Global Electronics business and Occupant Safety Systems businesses within the ZF Active and Passive Safety Technology division of the ZF Group, Christophe Marnat has his proverbial plate full, especially nowadays when there are burgeoning efforts on behalf of OEMs and suppliers like ZF to develop the technologies that are related to ADAS, all the way to the point of providing Level 4 or Level 5 technology.