DSD on the transmission engineering landscape - Q&A

20 Jul 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with suppliers, we spoke to Alex Tylee-Birdsall, co-founder and director of Drive System Design, about how the transmissions market is undergoing a period of change.

Denso - digitalisation is transforming the European aftermarket

14 Jul 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component manufacturers, we spoke to Ruslan Leontiev, product manager starters & alternators and wiper blades, and Alexey Bartashevich, senior manager aftermarket products, both Denso Aftermarket & Industrial Solutions.

Magna VP on Industry 4.0, VR and RocketSpace

13 Jul 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component suppliers, we spoke to Ian Simmons, Vice President, Business Development, Corporate R&D, Magna International about Industry 4.0, virtual reality (VR) technologies and its venturing strategy.

Changing times for wipers – Q&A with Trico

12 Jul 2017 | Matthew Beecham

In theory, the wiper blade is a service replacement item. But in reality, motorists often wait until the product is disintegrating before replacing it. Research indicates that 60 percent of drivers who do not install their own wiper blades cite the confusing assortment of adaptors that accompany replacement blades as the reason. Trico Products has been doing its bit to raise awareness of the dangers of worn-out blades and make the mechanics of replacing them simpler. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component manufacturers, we spoke to Sam Robinson, Product and Brand Manager for Trico Products to learn how the wiper blade market is shaping up and why step-by-step replacement blade fitting videos are rejuvenating the DIY market.

'World first' claimed on ethical guidelines for automated driving

27 Jun 2017 | Dave Leggett

What and how will tomorrow’s self-driving cars be allowed to decide for themselves? Tasked by the German government, an ethics commission has drawn up guidelines to regulate these questions. Prof. Christoph Lütge, business ethicist at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and member of the commission, explains in which situations technology should not differentiate between children and adults, and why no one should be forced to give up control of their car.

Lightweight monotube dampers – Q&A with BWI Group

19 Jun 2017 | Matthew Beecham

As OEMs pursue lighter vehicles to help comply with CO2 emissions legislation, ever more pressure is being placed on Tier 1 suppliers to provide lighter components. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Marcin Knapczyk, engineering manager at global braking and chassis systems specialist, BWI Group, about how far lightweighting has come and where it is set to go.

INTERVIEW - Mazda's UK MD

14 Jun 2017 | Chris Wright

In an age and an industry where executives scramble to climb ever higher up the corporate ladder, it is refreshing to find someone who has found a rung on which they are more than happy to stay.

Driving passion - the psychology of driving a car

12 Jun 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Thomas Ebenfeld, psychologist and managing partner of Concept M, about what makes car consumers tick. Headquartered in Cologne, Germany with offices worldwide, Concept M consists of a group of psychological market researchers with a focus on the automotive industry.

AvtoVAZ CEO Nicolas Maure looks to build on recent up-tick

7 Jun 2017 | Simon Warburton

Russian giant, AvtoVAZ  recently unveiled sales figures which appear to bear out the slightly more optimistic tone struck by the AEB after four years of unrelenting market falls. The market is undoubtedly beset by challenges almost unknown anywhere else as a combination of international economic sanctions and a reliance on commodities have a correlation on consumer behaviour, but a stabilising ruble and exchange rate may see business pick up.

The art of painting carbon fibre – Q&A with Project 12

24 May 2017 | Matthew Beecham

As the application of carbon fibre in car manufacture increases, demand for custom and novel finishes has also soared. UK-based Project 12 develops and supplies finishes and coatings for carbon fibre and composites. just-auto/QUBE spoke to managing director Dave King to learn what automakers are seeking and the direction carbon fibre finishes are taking.

GKN on prospects for torque vectoring

22 May 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Torque vectoring is an often heard term, rarely seen computer-controlled system used on cars to deliver just the right amount of power to each wheel in order to improve road grip, stability, handling and performance. GKN Driveline’s solution, known as Twinster, is available on a number of cars, including mainstream executive models like the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. As advanced torque vectoring systems are likely to appear on an even wider range of vehicles, just-auto/QUBE spoke to Ray Kuczera, Senior Vice President of Engineering, GKN Driveline.

Thermal challenges for commercial vehicle exhaust systems – Q&A with Zircotec

15 May 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Commercial vehicle exhaust systems are facing multiple challenges. Ever tighter engine emission requirements demand ever more efficient DPF and catalyst performance and this, in turn, requires ever more effective heat management. These systems have necessarily increased in size putting more pressure on overall packaging, with hot exhaust system components encroaching on systems that could potentially be damaged by heat. There is also a desire to keep heat in the exhaust to maintain turbocharger efficiency and response. Continuing just-auto/QUBE's series of interviews, we spoke to heat management specialist Zircotec’s Group Sales Director, Graeme Barette, about some novel approaches that could address both issues.

Castrol Nexcel reinvents the oil change – Q&A

9 May 2017 | Matthew Beecham

As pressures to improve air quality intensify, it is becoming harder for automakers to find new, affordable ways to improve fuel economy through established measures such as engine downsizing. Not yet high on the industry agenda but of growing importance, sustainability in fast-growing new markets must also be addressed. Continuing QUBE/just-auto's series of interviews, we spoke to Dr Oliver Taylor about a new approach to engine lubrication that could address both issues. Dr Taylor is chief engineer with Nexcel, an innovation business within BP’s Castrol subsidiary.

Opel chief interior designer on the Insignia, and spacious, functional car interiors

27 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE's review of interior design and technology trends, we borrowed the new Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport to take a closer look and got the inside story from Stefan Arndt, Adam Opel AG's chief interior designer.

Volkswagen head of compact cars on Tiguan Allspace, autonomous cars and individualisation

19 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing just-auto/QUBE's review of interior design and technology trends, we borrowed a Volkswagen Tiguan to take a closer look and got the inside story from Dr Jochen Böhle, head of product development for Volkswagen’s compact car line-up.

BorgWarner CTO on torque vectoring, engine rightsizing and tomorrow’s turbochargers

13 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing QUBE/just-auto’s series of interviews with tier one component suppliers, we spoke to Christopher P. Thomas, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, BorgWarner Inc.

Tenneco VP on emissions control technology trends

10 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing QUBE/just-auto’s series of interviews with tier one automotive component suppliers, we spoke to Ben Patel, VP of Global Research and Development Clean Air, Tenneco.

Delphi on tomorrow’s infotainment and driver interface technologies

6 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

Continuing QUBE/just-auto’s interviews with tier one component suppliers, we spoke to Martin Bornemann, Director Product Line and Business Development, Infotainment & Driver Interface, Delphi.

Delphi on how cars are becoming 'smart mobility devices'

4 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

With automated driving and mobility on demand likely to be one of the fastest developing trends ever seen in the automotive industry, QUBE/just-auto spoke to Delphi’s technical director automated driving, Serge Lambermont. As well as leading a team at the forefront of this new technology, Serge is closely involved in the Mobility on Demand project underway in Singapore.

Chief designer for Kia Motors Europe on the Optima Sportswagon interior

3 Apr 2017 | Matthew Beecham

The arrival of Kia’s fourth-generation Optima as an estate in the UK last year – along with a plug-in hybrid version - gave the Korean automaker two new opportunities to expand its business in Europe. Continuing just-auto/QUBE's review of interior design and technology trends, we borrowed an Optima Sportswagon to take a closer look and got the inside story from Gregory Guillaume, Kia Motors’ chief designer for Europe.