Latest automotive interviews

Q&A with Bizol 22 Apr 2014

Matthew Beecham

Bizol is a lubricant and technical fluids brand wholly-owned by Boris Tatievski. Matthew Beecham spoke to him about oils for alternative powertrains and how business is shaping-up in BRIC markets.

Q&A with Tenneco: Energy recovery technologies 14 Apr 2014

Matthew Beecham

Tenneco’s advances in exhaust heat recovery technologies include thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and Rankine systems for powering electrical accessories, recharging batteries and supporting vehicle propulsion without reducing engine performance. Tenneco reckons that the same trends that are causing the vehicle powertrain to become electrified are indeed causing its after-treatment systems to become electrified. Matthew Beecham spoke to Marcel Womann, Supervisor, Advanced Cold End Products, Advanced Engineering, Tenneco Clean Air Division about TEGs.

INTERVIEW: Michelin marketing manager winter tyres Europe Pierre-Edouard Sorel 7 Apr 2014

Simon Warburton

Pierre-Edouard Sorel joined Michelin in 2005. He started as a sales representative in France in trade marketing. At the end of 2007, he headed the market intelligence department of Michelin's Earthmover tyres product line and has been marketing manager for winter tyres in Europe since 2011. Sorel talked to Simon Warburton about legislation, labelling and the dealer benefits of winter tyre usage.

Q&A with Zircotec: Energy recovery systems in F1 3 Apr 2014

Matthew Beecham

This year marks a step change in the F1 regulations. A raft of aero and powertrain rules are set to create a more efficient race car with more direct links to road car technologies. V8s, used since 2006, will be replaced by all new 1.6 litre turbo charged V6. Engines are now also referred to as ‘power units’ thanks to the increased hybrid nature of their power generation. As track testing of this new ‘turbo’ and what some describe as an ‘energy efficient’ era, one supplier to the F1 teams talks about the impact of the rules on its business and how it is responding to the challenges. In this interview, Matthew Beecham spoke to Terry Graham, managing director of Zircotec, a supplier of thermal management products and heat protective coatings.

Q&A with Magna Steyr 27 Mar 2014

Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto's series of interviews with global component manufacturers, Matthew Beecham spoke to Karl-Friedrich Stracke, President Fahrzeugtechnik & Engineering of Magna Steyr about its MILA Blue concept, lightweight technologies and tomorrow's powertrain.

Q&A with Falken Tyre 26 Mar 2014

Matthew Beecham

Over the past few years, Sumitomo Rubber Industries' subsidiary, Falken Tyre has been strengthening its presence overseas, in particular Europe. In this interview, Matthew Beecham spoke to Matt Smith, UK director of Falken Tyres about tyre modelling, winter tyres, EU tyre labelling, run-flats and the forthcoming requirement for tyre pressure monitoring systems in Europe.

INTERVIEW: Volkswagen Group Rus general director Marcus Osegowitsch 20 Mar 2014

Simon Warburton

Marcus Osegowitsch is general director, Volkswagen Group Rus and Simon Warburton caught up with him on the sidelines of this year's Russian Automotive Forum organised by Adam Smith Conferences in Moscow.

INTERVIEW: Ford UK fleet director, Phil Hollins 3 Mar 2014

Dave Leggett

Ford's UK fleet director Phil Hollins is responsible for UK market leader Ford's fleet sales. Dave Leggett recently caught up with him at a launch event for the new Transit Connect.

INTERVIEW: Steel Market Development Institute - Washington and Detroit 28 Feb 2014

Simon Warburton

America's Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Founded in August 2008, the SMDI was previously known as AISI's Market Development programme.

INTERVIEW: Magna Powertrain president Jake Hirsch 18 Feb 2014

Simon Warburton

Jake Hirsch has worked in the automotive supply industry for 30 years, including as president and CEO of Teksid Aluminium, CEO of Textron Fastening Systems; managing director of TRW Occupant Restraints and COO at Magna Europe where he was also a member of the Board of Directors. He talked to Simon Warburton in Detroit about some of the challenges and opportunities in the business.