Phil Biggs covers the automotive industry for NewsTalk 1340 WJRW
January 31, 2012 4:30 P.M. ET
DETROIT, Mich. Now that the show is over, the hard work begins…but the auto industry is up to the task. This year sales are expected to push higher, and you will see significant innovation breakthroughs in manufacturing and throughout the supply chain.
Look no further than Ford Motor’s Michigan Assembly Plant and you’ll find five different powertrain variants built on one line: conventional internal combustion, hybrid, all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and Ford’s own Eco-Boost. This flexible shop-floor innovation is the first of its kind in the world – no other OEM can boast this manufacturing prowess. But because vertical integration is complex and extremely costly, this year we’ll see more innovation and game-changing technology via co-investments, co-development, and co-branding of assets and projects. Witness Ford Motor’s alliance with Toyota to co-develop new hybrid technologies. Cost pressures and sustainability expectations are causing traditional driveline and petro-based solutions to move to other power sources to transform personal mobility.
The future of the Smart Grid will in part depend on the free market alignment of government incentives and regulations. Here’s a shot at what the composition of the global market may look like by 2015: fifty conventional hybrids, at least 30 pure electric, 20 plug-in hybrids, more than five fuel cell vehicles. A very robust spectrum of choices for the car buyer.
How will world events affect the global car business this year?
The one sure thing for 2012 is that we can expect uncertain economic conditions and social-political landmines ahead. Last year it was two of our domestic automakers emerging from bankruptcy as Americans faced a severe financial crisis here in the U.S.
In Europe, currencies crumbled and debt overtook entire countries. Now events such as a possible blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, rising gasoline prices, and worldwide recession loom large, which makes you wonder where sales volumes are heading. Expectations are that North America will break the 13 million volume level this year. But, as Keith Crain, editor of Automotive News said, “Does anyone have a good crystal ball?”
Change the car…change the world
There is a rapid convergence of traditional and emerging technologies in the auto space. New business models are being evaluated and implemented based on changing everything from new driving patterns, vehicle/battery warranty requirements, shared riding demands, new consumer insurance needs, and mass knowledge-sharing to understand new technologies in the commercial and consumer sectors. Of course we want to be connected to these changes and new requirements, and we expect there will be an app to inform us and guide us everywhere in the process!
This transformation is what has become know as the “e-volution” of transportation or the new vehicle “ecosystem” depicted below:
| Vehicle | Array of choices: PHEV, HEV, EV, natural gas, hydrogen cell, synthetic fuels, conventional IC |
| On-Board Command Language | Multi-touch hand gestures, proximity sensing, natural speech recognition, haptic feedback |
| Infrastructure | Charging stations (at home, at work, public venue), connectivity enablers i.e. Google, Verizon, Best Buy, Microsoft, Facebook, et al |
Fulton Innovation recognizes that linking consumer technology demands with the evolution in personal mobility is already upon us – and the growth and adoption of wireless power will play a significant role in vehicle connectivity. It is clear that the industry truly has become technology-driven. And, as on-board innovation expands, Fulton hopes to create and commercialize the kinds of technology solutions that meet the stringent requirements of suppliers and manufacturers as well as the aspirational needs of car buyers worldwide.
Read more:
