Powertrains Drive Future of Auto Industry
Posted 07/20/2009
More than 90 people gathered at the U-M Michigan League Ballroom July 15 to learn about the latest trends in powertrain technology. UMTRI’s Automotive Analysis Division coordinated the one-day conference, Powertrain Strategies for the 21st Century, focusing on how new government regulations are affecting company strategies.
The future of the automotive industry hinges to a great extent on one word: powertrains. The term describes the technology that powers every vehicle on the road, encompassing everything from conventional spark-ignited engines, to hybrid technologies, to electric and fuel cell vehicles.
In light of a new national policy on fuel economy standards and greenhouse gas emissions, innovative powertrain technologies are critical, said UMTRI assistant research scientist Bruce Belzowski, who moderated the conference.
“I can’t think of anything more important to the industry right now than powertrains,” Belzowski said. “No technology will play a greater role in the future of the industry.”
The conference focused on how the new government regulations, announced in May 2009, are impacting industry decisions. The new standards ultimately require an average U.S. fleet fuel economy standard of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.
Walter McManus, head of UMTRI’s Automotive Analysis Division, was one of ten conference speakers. He presented an analysis of current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations and how these regulations affect each manufacturer differently. “Every vehicle sold in the U.S. will have its own unique target,” he explained. “That’s one of the biggest differences going forward.”
William Charmley of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discussed the complexity of the new fuel economy regulations, which will begin with the 2012 model year. “It’s very near-term for the auto industry,” said Charmley, who is deputy director of the Assessment and Standards Division of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality.
Other speakers presented a variety of approaches to meet the new regulations.
Justin Ward, advanced powertrain program manager at Toyota, said that hybrid technology will be a key component of a sustainable transportation system. Ward added that the future will likely require a “marriage of technologies” to meet diverse needs.
Daniel Kapp of Ford Motor Company discussed Ford’s new EcoBoost engine technology as the cornerstone of the company’s near-term and mid-term strategy.
Other conference speakers included Dennis Assanis, of the U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering, who provided an overview of U-M powertrain research.
Robert Czarnowski of BorgWarner described his company’s efforts to support powertrain manufacturers. John Ettlie of the Rochester Institute of Technology discussed a joint National Science Foundation research project with Bruce Belzowski on powertrain innovation processes, and Bryan Krulikowski of Morpace Market Research presented the results of the company’s consumer research with regard to powertrain acceptance and consumer engagement.
Overall, the conference addressed a pivotal topic, said Dennis Minano, formerly of General Motors, who attended the event.
“This conference is the first that I’ve seen to zero in on the most significant technological change the industry will face,” said Minano. “Advanced technology powertrains will drive this industry. UMTRI has assembled a leading-edge conference to help decision-makers with strategic planning.”
The conference was part of the division’s Focus on the Future conference series. The next event in the series is scheduled for September 2009, The Business of IT: Transforming the Organization and the Vehicle.
For more information, see: Automotive Analysis Division.