Blog: Automotive Design & Production

Automotive Chassis

2019 Chevrolet Blazer Premier AWD

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 20, 2019 at 7:20 AM

The thing about the 2019 Chevy Blazer: It is the most-complete Chevy I’ve ever driven, as in seemingly every detail of the crossover having been carefully considered and appropriately executed, from the front end that has a design the likes of which is absolutely rare in a category of vehicles that is getting more undifferentiated by the moment to even consideration given to the piping on the IP. (This and subsequent images: Chevrolet) Yes, there are those who consider the Blazer to be something of a Crossover Camaro, which I think misses the case (despite the interior borrowings from the Camaro) and really isn’t all that fair to the Camaro.

Automotive Production

Ford Gets Big at Kentucky Truck

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 19, 2019 at 10:18 AM

The Ford Expedition, for being a consumer vehicle, not something meant for industrial purposes, is big.

Digital Domain

NVIDIA Launches DRIVE Constellation

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 18, 2019 at 8:54 PM

NVIDIA has announced that its DRIVE Constellation simulation platform is now available for developers of autonomous systems.

Automotive Engineering

The Transformation of the Auto Industry

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 18, 2019 at 7:12 AM

Karma Automotive came into existence five years ago, when Chinese supplier Wanxiang Group purchased the assets of Fisker Automotive—the company that had been founded by designer Henrik Fisker to produce high-end hybrids. (And it is worth knowing, just for contextual purposes, that Wanxiang had purchased developer and manufacturer of electric batteries, A123, out of bankruptcy in 2013—Karma Automotive vehicles need batteries, so. . . .) Karma Revero (Image: Karma Automotive) One of the ways that Karma marked its fifth anniversary was announcing that it has invested $7.5-million in its Irvine, California, facility, including a powertrain test facility.

Automotive Production

Take a Look at Additive Manufacturing

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 15, 2019 at 7:52 AM

Giving the growing increase in interest in additive manufacturing in the auto industry, our sibling publication Additive Manufacturing held a conference dedicated to that subject (i.e., additive manufacturing in the auto industry) at the 2019 North American International Auto Show.

Automotive Electronics

The Death of the Internal Combustion Engine Is Greatly Exaggerated

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 14, 2019 at 7:24 AM

This week Volkswagen put the rest of the auto industry on notice that it would be the world leader in electric mobility in the not-too-distant future.

Aircraft in a Dealership: The Future Is Now

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 13, 2019 at 7:56 AM

While the notion of commuting to work or being transferred from A to B via aircraft might still seem Jetsonian, it is evidently real, given the announcement that Prestige Imports is putting the ICON A5 light-sport aircraft, an amphibious sport plane that is designed, engineered and produced by ICON Aircraft, in its Prestige Imports 2.0 showroom.

Automotive Materials

Brembo Is Serious—and Whimsical

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 12, 2019 at 11:04 AM

When it comes to serious brakes, Brembo is certainly a leader in developing and producing them, such as with its gen-two dual-cast floating brake disc, which is made with both cast iron and aluminum, with the former being used for the braking band and the latter for the bell.

Automotive Engineering

Painting a McLaren

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 12, 2019 at 7:58 AM

The new McLaren 720S Spider by MSO: No, we’re not going to talk about the performance of the car that’s powered by a 710-hp, 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8.

Automotive Materials

Pininfarina Times Two

By: Gary S. Vasilash - March 11, 2019 at 4:02 PM

Pininfarina--the Italian car design firm and specialty vehicle creator owned by the Mahindra Group, an India-based conglomerate—has been on a roll the last several days.