As the world's leading provider of confidential insider information from 1979 to 2000, Auto Industry Newsletter has now re-emerged by popular request to provide chief executives with the insight necessary to meet today's challenges. Editor: John Mortimer
Wednesday 30 September 2015
Ricardo: RDE providing a pathway to cleaner diesels
Ricardo claims it has
demonstrated processes for evaluating the emission technologies of diesel cars
under the forthcoming Real Driving Emissions (RDE) regulations which aim to
ensure on-road compliance with published type approval data for fuel economy
and emissions.
Ricardo set to give JAC a big boost
Ricardo is developing a production
version of its ‘HyBoost’ concept to give China’s JAC a 30 per cent fuel economy
gain.
VW scandal: Action plan unveiled
Volkswagen AG has unveiled its action plan to
correct the emissions characteristics of diesel vehicles.
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Volkswagen, scandal and the rumour mill
The rumour mill is
asking: How would Volkswagen’s vehicles know when the EPA’s emissions testing
equipment was connected?
Monday 28 September 2015
The engineer who brought down Volkswagen
According to the Huffington Post,
Daniel Carder, an unassuming 45-year-old engineer with grey hair and blue
jeans, appears an unlikely type to take down one of the world's most powerful
companies.
Sunday 27 September 2015
The Cat trims its tail
The past
week has been a topsy-turvy world for the vehicle industry: the self-savaging
of VW, Caterpillar’s 33-rolling months sales decline in the Far East and a dividend
award of £60 million for JCB’s chairman and family.
Friday 25 September 2015
Porsche man is new head of Volkswagen
Matthias Müller (62) is the new chief executive
officer of Volkswagen AG with immediate effect.
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Winterkorn experiences his own downfall
A great many thoughts
must be whizzing through the brain of Ferdinand Piech, who resigned earlier
this year in favour of Professor Martin Winterkorn who has himself now resigned.
Ricardo set for natural gas engine R&D
Ricardo is set to be a
key partner in the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Green Vehicle Initiative project
‘HDGAS’ – which aims for a 10 per cent in overall engine improvement.
Tuesday 22 September 2015
SMMT gives a view about emissions testing
On a day when the fall in the share price of Volkswagen AG almost doubled and its plight continued to spiral downwards, the UK Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders has given a view about passenger car emissions
testing without passing comment one way or the other about the dilemma faced by Volkswagen Group in Germany, and possibly other automakers in Europe.
“The UK
automotive industry understands the concerns consumers may have following the
actions of one manufacturer in regard to emissions testing and the subsequent
decision to recall a large number of its cars. This is, however, an issue
affecting just one company and there is no evidence to suggest that any other
company is involved, let alone that this is an industry-wide issue.
“Consumers should be reassured that cars sold
in the UK must comply with strict European laws. All cars must complete a
standard emissions test, which, unlike in the US, is independently witnessed by
a government-appointed independent agency.
“On the separate on-going debate about real-world
testing, industry accepts that the current test method for cars is out of date
and is seeking agreement from the European Commission for a new emissions test
that embraces new testing technologies and which is more representative of
on-road conditions.”
UK Car
emissions testing
Why is it done? All cars sold in the UK have to undergo an official emissions test
under EU law. This is to ensure they meet the latest emissions standards, as
set by the European Commission, before they can be sold to the consumer.
The latest emissions standard is Euro-6 – and all
new cars registered in the EU from 1 September 2015 are required to meet this
standard. A range of emissions is tested, including carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
What is the test? It is a laboratory test, which ensures consistency and absolute
comparability from one vehicle to another. The vehicle is put onto a ‘rolling
road’ and fitted with equipment to measure emissions. The vehicle will then
perform a standardised drive cycle known as the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC)
– which contains set acceleration/deceleration levels, and replicates different
driving conditions.
If the vehicle emits levels of pollutants lower
than the limits set for the Euro-6 standard, it will receive a Euro-6 approval
certificate, meaning the vehicle can be sold.
What are the conditions of
the test? The test is carried out in a controlled temperature
of 20-30C, and the car must be calibrated to the specification as sold to the
customer.
All of the vehicle’s components must be present and
cannot be tampered with. For example, the alternator belt must be intact and
the brakes must function fully to pass testing. The vehicle will be checked to
ensure it has the same tyre pressures, fluid levels and components as it would
have on the road.
Who carries out the test? The test is carried out in a government-approved test facility, with a
government-appointed independent witness.
Who governs the test? The EU test operates in strict conditions and is witnessed by a
government-appointed independent approval agency. In the UK, this is the
Vehicle Certification Agency, which is responsible to the Department for
Transport.
How old is the test? The current test dates back to 1996.
What is the difference
between the EU test and the US test? In the US, the official tests are carried out by the manufacturer and
not witnessed by an independent third-party as they are in the EU. The results
are submitted to the US Environmental
Monday 21 September 2015
VW on the ropes as 'cheating' issue grows
Volkswagen shares fell
some 18 per cent on the first full day off trading following the EPA finding
that algorithms on some VW Group cars could manipulate emissions limits.
Saturday 19 September 2015
EPA accuses VW of 'defeat' emission devices
The US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a notice of violation (NOV) of the Clean Air
Act (CAA) to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Friday 18 September 2015
Cummins diesel prospect creates a buzz in Texas
There's a bit
of a buzz in the air
in San Antonio, Texas. For there,
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMT) has a
strategy to ramp up pick-up truck production.
Thursday 17 September 2015
EV versions of smart set for late 2016
Electric versions of the new smart fortwo and forfour will go on
sale in late 2016.
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Autonomous pod takes to the road
The first of three pod vehicles was unveiled in the
UK today as part of a pioneering project to trial automated vehicles in
pedestrianised areas.
How GKN can make the Ford Focus drift
GKN Automotive has developed a new version of its Twinster torque
vectoring all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the Ford Focus RS.
The man who changed Volkswagen?
Martin Winterkorn clearly wants to be remembered as
the man who changed the face of the Volkswagen group.
Monday 14 September 2015
Jaguar F-PACE: More business for vendors
Jaguar’s F-PACE performance crossover for with its
lightweight aluminium architecture provides further business for suppliers of
major technology and component suppliers.
Ford drives IC engine R&D to challenge EVs
As Ford continues to push its hybrid and electric
vehicle products, its technical centre in Germany is working on lean reciprocating
engines.
Mahindra launches India's first SUV with AMT
India’s leading SUV
manufacturer, Mahindra, has unveiled its much-awaited sports utility vehicle,
the TUV300.
JLR pushes on with zero emission technology
JaguarLandRover (JLR) has
revealed some of the new and innovative low and zero emission powertrain
technologies it is researching.
Sunday 13 September 2015
A time to hold nerves and stay calm
As auto executives pay homage by attending Europe's top-class automotive event – this year's Frankfurt motor show, just starting – their minds will be on other matters.
Saturday 12 September 2015
Qashqai generates UK cash for Nissan
Nissan claims it is making one Quashqai every 62
seconds at its Sunderland, UK production site.
Saturday 5 September 2015
VW to make 600 a day at new engine plant
Volkswagen Group has opened its new engine plant at
Kaluga in Russia.
Friday 4 September 2015
Daimler-Nissan break ground in Mexico
Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance yesterday
broke ground for their joint-venture manufacturing complex, COMPAS (Cooperation
Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) in central Mexico set to build
next-generation premium compact vehicles for the brands Mercedes-Benz and
Infiniti.
Thursday 3 September 2015
Navistar: Losses continue to flow
Thunder continues to rumble
in the background at troubled Navistar International Corporation which has now reported
12 straight quarter losses on the trot
Ricardo cuts rear drive unit weight by 25%
Ricardo claims that by using state-of-the-art technologies
it can cut the weight of a rear drive unit by 25 per cent
Schaeffler makes new active roll control unit
Schaeffler has built
completely new production facilities at its Schweinfurt location in Germany to
make a new electromechanical active roll control system the company has put
into volume production.
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Is there a market for plug-in hybrid trucks?
If Bob Lutz, chairman of VIA Motors is to be believed, his company is aiming to sell 50,000 hybrid trucks and vans a year by 2018.
Nissan seeks 10 per cent of US market
Nissan wants a 10 per cent US market share in 2016, according to Jose Munoz, chairman
of Nissan North America, speaking recently at the J.D. Power Automotive Summit
in San Francisco.
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