Latest automotive interviews

Hydrogen storage fuels innovation - Q&A with Magna Steyr

15 Jul 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Magna Steyr is a global, brand-independent engineering and manufacturing partner to automakers, offering solutions for a range of services with development and assembly strategies. Its product expertise includes fuel tanks and systems. To learn more about this part of the business, we spoke to Jean-Luc Bichler, Vice President, Magna Steyr Fuel Systems and Martin Seiner, Director, Sales, Magna Steyr Fuel Systems.

Bosch on tomorrow’s steering systems

15 Jul 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH develops, produces, and sells steering technology for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Continuing just-auto/QUBE's series of interviews with tier one component suppliers, we spoke to Jennifer Endres, Vice President Engineering System and Advance (AS/NE), Automotive Steering division, Robert Bosch GmbH about electric power steering, steer-by-wire and steering systems for Level 4/5 cars.

Steering tomorrow’s car – Q&A with Nexteer

8 Jul 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Nexteer Automotive is a global manufacturer of steering and driveline systems. Earlier this year, it produced its 60-millionth electric power steering (EPS) system. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component suppliers, we spoke to Rudiger Hiemenz, Executive Director Engineering - EMEA and South America Division, Nexteer about the ways in which the supplier is pushing back the technical boundaries of a range of steering technologies.

On a roll with Goodyear’s VP Product Development

8 Jul 2019 | Matthew Beecham

There are so many factors shaping the global tyre market. Over the last decade alone, the popularity of EVs and SUVs has steadily increased, prompting manufacturers to redesign their tyres. The increasing segmentation of the car market has also resulted in a more complex tyre market. In response, manufacturers have found yet more ways in which to address tyre weight, rolling resistance, noise and fuel efficiency. Future mobility models will reshape the tyre market further. To learn how Goodyear is addressing these market trends, we spoke to Xavier Fraipont, Vice President, Product Development EMEA.

Continental Powertrain on e-mobility, AVs and FCEVs

4 Jul 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Since the transformation of Continental’s powertrain business into an independent group earlier this year, the company has been preparing for a partial IPO. Meanwhile, it continues to invest huge sums into automotive powertrain R&D. To learn more about the supplier‘s research focus, we spoke to Stephan Rebhan, Head of Technology & Innovation, Powertrain Division, Continental.

Delphi Technologies’ CTO on smart propulsion solutions, GDi and the CV diesel market

18 Jun 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Since its spin-off from Delphi Automotive in 2017, Delphi Technologies has been pushing back the technical boundaries on a number of fronts. Last month, we learned that it has developed a 500+ bar GDi system that can reduce particulate emissions by up to 50 per cent compared to 350 bar system without expensive engine design modifications. Last January, the supplier revealed at CES its Intelligent Driving technology, which could put 'self-aware' cars on the road by 2022-23. To learn more about these and other innovations, we caught up with Mary Gustanski, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Delphi Technologies.

Fuel for thought - some low carbon alternatives

14 May 2019 | Matthew Beecham

A greener form of motoring, low carbon vehicles emit fewer harmful gases compared to a conventional car. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we caught up with Paul Turner, engineering director at Revolve Technologies, a powertrain engineering specialist to discuss its low carbon vehicle projects, electrification, lithium-ion and the prospects for hydrogen FCEVs.

Powering low carbon tech - Q&A with APC

13 May 2019 | Matthew Beecham

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) was set up six years ago in Coventry, the once centrepiece of the British car industry. It channels investment from government and industry to accelerate the development of greener technologies for engines. Its funded projects go beyond automotive too. We spoke to Jon Beasley, APC's director of technology and projects, to find out what has been achieved to date.

Electrifying trucks - challenges and opportunities

8 May 2019 | Matthew Beecham

It is said that commercial vehicles are the most difficult to electrify and likely to be the last to migrate from IC powertrains. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we asked David Kelly of Drive System Design why this is the case and what can be done to make battery electric trucks (BETs) more attractive.

Lubricating electric vehicles – Q&A with Millers Oils

23 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Lubricants are critical for cooling high-temperature components within ICE vehicles, but the challenges of cooling the higher temperatures of power electronics in electric vehicles (EVs), is an even greater task. We spoke to spoke to Martyn Mann, technical director for Millers Oils, to learn more about the specific challenges of lubricating an EV powertrain.

Real-world NOx emissions test leaves ‘dirty diesels’ nowhere to hide

8 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Today’s launch of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London is a welcome step on the road to cleaning up urban air quality but will not stop ‘dirty diesels’ from entering the capital despite controlling access based on emissions, says publishers of the AIR Index. The AIR (Allow Independent Road-testing) Index is an independent vehicle emissions rating for cars from A (the best) to E (the worst) that provides the on-road urban NOx emissions using the same independent test on every vehicle, to show the relative impact a specific vehicle has on air quality. However, AIR’s own testing has found that the Euro emissions standards bear little resemblance to what comes out of a car’s tailpipe in urban driving. There is huge variation in Euro 6 diesels, and although the latest are very clean there are still millions of dirty diesels on European roads that can emit in excess of Euro standards for urban NOx, yet still gain free access to ULEZ. The AIR Index is calling on policy makers in London and across Europe to make clean air zones more effective by tackling the issue of dirty Euro 6s – using ratings such as the AIR Index– to bring air quality into legal compliance as soon as possible. To learn more, we spoke to Nick Molden, co-founder of the AIR Index.

Deal or no deal - How Brexit could impact the UK’s automotive supply chain

8 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

May we mention the B-word? UK automotive manufacturing is currently amongst the world’s most efficient, relying on a tightly coordinated global supply chain to feed its production lines, with minimum capital employed and carefully-managed risk. Yet Brexit continues to concern the industry, including the ability of automakers and suppliers to maintain their just-in-time deliveries. We spoke to Graham Little, deputy managing director of logistics specialist Evolution Time Critical to understand what might happen, how manufacturers should prepare and why they should not plan to rely on trusted emergency techniques that have so far served them well within a joined-up Europe,

Bosch on tomorrow’s mobility solutions

4 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Bosch created a buzz at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year by debuting a driverless electric shuttle with 'in-built mobility services designed to make shuttles suitable for everyday use.' The German auto supplier predicts that self-driving electric shuttles will become a common sight in cities worldwide. It has also pioneered automated valet parking and pushed back the technical boundaries of driver assistance systems. To learn more about these advances and the supplier’s plans for making cars smart, we spoke to Dr Dirk Hoheisel, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

How in-wheel electric motors can make EVs potent

3 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

There are some solid arguments for electric vehicles (EVs) in some market sectors and autonomous vehicles in particular to use in-wheel motors. To learn more, we spoke to Ben Boycott, Chief Commercial Officer, Protean Electric, a developer of in-wheel electric motors.

Auria on automotive acoustic trends

2 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Automotive acoustics is not just about laying better quality carpets or inventing ways of applying foam. An acoustic system takes into account everything in the cabin, from the dashboard to package trays. US-Chinese joint venture supplier, Auria Solutions, is an expert in this area developing and producing a range of vehicle carpet and acoustic parts. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with component suppliers, we spoke to Brian Pour, President and CEO of Auria to learn more about this business and developments in the automotive acoustics arena.

How Harman is harmonising 5G

1 Apr 2019 | Matthew Beecham

In our increasingly connected world, 2019 is predicted to be the year that 5G becomes a reality for users. In the automotive industry, some predict that this high-speed network will enable safety applications, more reliable connectivity, faster connectivity and a counteraction to network loads brought on by the increase in IoT devices. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Vishnu Sundaram, Vice President, Telematics Business Unit, Harman Connected Car, to see if the hype is real for the automotive industry.

Valeo prepares for 48V growth

20 Mar 2019 | Matthew Beecham

Valeo claims that they invented the 48V mild hybrid system 15 years ago, and are already in production in China and Europe with a "significant production ramp-up" this year. The supplier further claims that advanced orders for 48V machines will make it the number one 48V mild-hybrid supplier in the world by 2020. So is its long shot on 48V mild hybrid tech now paying off? To learn more, we spoke to Michel Forissier, Chief Technology Officer of Valeo’s Powertrain Systems Business Group.up.

Ionity charges on with European network for EVs

15 Mar 2019 | Matthew Beecham

BMW, Daimler, Ford and the Volkswagen Group are involved in a joint venture, called Ionity that is installing a high power charging network for electric vehicles across Europe. The venture is based in BMW's home city of Munich and headed by CEO Dr Michael Hajesch. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Dr Hajesch to find out more.

Digital Proving Grounds - Q&A with simulation software specialist rFpro

7 Mar 2019 | Matthew Beecham

With driving simulators becoming increasingly realistic, allowing more tests to be effectively undertaken in a virtual environment, growing numbers of proving grounds are investing in ‘digital twins’ of themselves. To learn more about what is accelerating this trend, we spoke to asked Chris Hoyle, from simulation software company rFpro.

Testing times for AVs – Q&A with AB Dynamics

6 Mar 2019 | Matthew Beecham

The development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is still in its infancy. How do OEMs test these vehicles to ensure they are safe on the road in the real world?  AB Dynamics has been developing testing systems for automakers for decades, pushing back the boundaries of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) test systems, the building blocks of an AV. To learn more about how the auto industry is developing testing regimes for AVs, we spoke to Jeremy Ash, Head of Commercial, AB Dynamics.