Lamborghini’s HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) hybrid super sports car, codenamed LB744, (earlier post) is based on a new aeronautics-inspired chassis, the monofuselage. As well as a monocoque made entirely of multi-technology carbon fiber, it features a front structure in Forged Composites; a special material made of short carbon fibers... Read more →

ZF has begun delivery of its new cubiX intelligent chassis control software. In the beginning of 2023, the first production vehicles with the new ZF cubiX software have been rolling on the roads: The Lotus Eletre electric SUV from the Geely Group has been delivered to the first customers since... Read more →

Rheinmetall’s Castings business unit recently booked a new order from a well-known truck manufacturer for gearboxes specifically designed for use in e-trucks.. The order is worth a figure in the lower-two-digit million-euro range. Production will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and will initially run for five years. However,... Read more →

At Tech Day 2023, Volkswagen Group Technology provided an outlook of upcoming electric car innovations in the areas of batteries, charging and electronic components. The focus was on the electric drive system of the future. Volkswagen is now developing pulse inverters and thermal management systems internally in addition to batteries... Read more →

The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance services for the networking industry, is partnering with Microchip Technology to expand testing for the 1000BASE-T1 PCS and PHY Control market to help further compliance for the automotive industry. The adoption of Ethernet... Read more →

Developers at the Porsche Group are working on new concepts for brake force distribution which will enable better braking energy recuperation in electric vehicles without compromising comfort. Chassis developers are challenged by electrification on two fronts: Batteries make the vehicles heavier but, on the other hand, the vehicles often exhibit... Read more →

Volvo Car USA reported sales of 102,038 cars for the full year 2022, down 16.5% compared with the year before. The share of fully electric Volvo cars reached 7.2% during the year, up 14.3% year-on-year. The company said that full year sales performance was affected by challenges across the supply... Read more →

onsemi’s EliteSiC family of silicon carbide (SiC) power modules has been selected for Kia Corporation’s EV6 GT model. The electric vehicle accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and reaches top speed at 161 mph. Within the traction inverter of a high performance EV, the EliteSiC power module... Read more →

Wolfspeed will be supplying Silicon Carbide devices to power future Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicle (EV) platforms, enabling greater efficiency in the powertrain. Wolfspeed’s semiconductors will be incorporated into next-generation powertrain systems for several Mercedes-Benz vehicle lines. Coming from a long-term technical collaboration history between our companies, we have now chosen Wolfspeed... Read more →

Rheinmetall has won a major order worth more than a quarter billion euros in the electromobility domain from a premium German automaker. Rheinmetall will be equipping the new 900-volt generation of electrically powered vehicles with a new type of contactor. Rheinmetall won the order in the face of stiff competition... Read more →

New Flyer of America has selected Modine’s EVantage Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS) in New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG heavy-duty transit electric bus model. Introduced early in 2021, the Xcelsior CHARGE NG bus incorporates three distinct technological advancements, including high-energy batteries that extend range up to 13%; advanced protective battery... Read more →

A well-known automaker has placed an order with Rheinmetall Group subsidiary Pierburg for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) modules, with a lifetime value of around €300 million. The order encompasses low- and high-pressure EGR modules. In the low-pressure loop, these are water-cooled poppet valves. In the high-pressure loop, EGR modules with... Read more →

Kalyani Mobility Drivelines (KMD) introduced a lineup of high-performance constant velocity (CV) driveshafts for electric vehicles (EVs) and other specialty vehicles. KMD CV driveshafts are designed utilizing high-strength steels for optimal performance under the high torque generated by EVs, military, specialty vehicles and motorsports. KMD’s family of CV driveshafts are... Read more →

In addition to conventional drive units and components, the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant is already responsible for the production of batteries and axles for plug-in hybrids and fully electric Mercedes-EQ models. The production and assembly of electric drive units from 2024 onwards was part of the plant’s vision for the future... Read more →

MAHLE is successfully establishing itself as a supplier for e-mobility. One bestseller for the company in this area is the electric A/C compressor, for which Mahle has already secured numerous series orders in the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. The total order volume is approximately €1.4 billion. Most recently,... Read more →

Mazda Motor Corporation is planning to complete the electrification of all vehicle models by 2030 and is currently working together with various partner companies on a range of electrification-related research projects that are also designed to stimulate the local economy and contribute to the development of local industry and innovation.... Read more →

ZF is presenting new electric drives for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This latest generation of e-drives advances power density and energy efficiency due to numerous innovations at both the component and system level. These include the compact design of the drives, power electronics, and a resource-saving use of... Read more →

The Nikkei reports that Japan-based motor maker Nidec is planning to invest an estimated ¥100 billion (US$715 million) to build an e-axle plant in Mexico. The company is currently producing e-axles in China and Europe but will start making them in North America as well ahead of an expected surge... Read more →

General Motors plans to invest $45 million at its Bedford, Indiana aluminum die casting foundry. This investment will be used to expand the facility’s production capacity of EV drive unit castings to support the anticipated strong demand for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV full-size pickups. The capacity... Read more →

Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL) and VinFast Trading & Manufacturing Joint Stock Company (VinFast) announced a Memorandum of Understanding to expand collaboration in areas including CIIC (CATL integrated intelligent chassis) skateboard chassis products. According to the agreement, CATL and VinFast intend to explore various forms of cooperation on CIIC skateboard... Read more →

Hitachi Astemo has developed a prototype of an anti-jerk control that improves ride comfort by reducing the back-and-forth jerk that can occur when the vehicle stops, and a motor torque control (motor ABS (anti-lock braking system)) that improves electricity consumption, driving stability and a sense of security by maintaining appropriate... Read more →

NXP Semiconductors has introduced the OrangeBox automotive-grade development platform, which integrates a wide variety of NXP wireless technologies, from broadcast radio, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, to secure car access with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and 802.11p-based V2X. The OrangeBox is a single, security enhanced, modular development platform... Read more →

FPT Industrial, the global powertrain brand of Iveco Group, inaugurated the new Turin (Italy) ePowertrain plant, a manufacturing site fully dedicated to the production of the electric powertrain range and Iveco Group’s first completely carbon-neutral plant. Covering a total area of 15,000 sq meters, the plant generates its own energy... Read more →

BAE Systems and Supernal will partner to design and develop the flight control computer for Supernal’s electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle. In support of Supernal—an advanced air mobility company from Hyundai Motor Group (earlier post)—BAE Systems will help define the architecture of a lightweight, fly-by-wire system for its... Read more →

ZF signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China-based NIO for the development of steer-by-wire (SbW) products and other fields. Both companies have also agreed to establish an instant information sharing mechanism to deepen communication and conduct regular technical exchanges to jointly engage in industry-leading processes and quality standards. Meanwhile, ZF... Read more →

DSM Engineering Materials has partnered with Renault to create an industry-first lightweight solution for hybrid vehicle fuel tanks. By using Akulon Fuel Lock, DSM’s high-performance low-carbon-footprint PA6 (polyamide 6) material, the fuel tanks can be produced with a blow molding monolayer construction that significantly reduces weight and cost without compromising... Read more →

Technical plastics such as polyamide 6 offer numerous benefits for the design of battery enclosures for electric vehicles in terms of sustainability, manufacturing costs, weight savings and economical functional integration, for example. However, there have been doubts as to whether these large and complex components are also able to meet... Read more →

ZF, addressing the demand for an electrified pickup truck solution, has created the eBeam Axle, a drop-in, electrified axle that allows automakers to transform their current internal combustion engine (ICE) powered trucks into battery-electric vehicles. The eBeam’s modular solution provides 400V and 800V architectures offering flexibility for both OEMs and... Read more →

Vitesco Technologies has recently won several orders worth more than €2 billion for its Battery Management Systems (BMS). One of Vitesco Technologies’ significant contracts will deliver already a wireless communication version of the battery control units for 400V and 800V BEV architecture. This particular solution reduces the amount of cabling... Read more →

At its Dingolfing plant, the BMW Group is implementing a modular production system for chassis components to ensure even more flexibility in the production of different vehicle variants—whether all-electric, hybrid or classic combustion engine, whether all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. This also has advantages for the environment. In the component... Read more →

Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. has received electric axle (e-Axle) orders for mid-size and large-size battery-electric vehicles from Honda Motor Co., Ltd., slated for a global rollout in 2026. Hitachi Astemo will deliver a high-performance, integrated drive unit for Honda, with the e-Axle system combining a highly efficient, silicon carbide (SiC) inverter;... Read more →

​​​ An investigation into a California crash that killed nine—including seven children—has led the National Transportation Safety Board to call for alcohol detection systems to be included in all new vehicles, according to new recommendations released Tuesday. The crash, on New Year’s Day 2021 in Avenal, California, was caused by... Read more →

Allison Transmission announced the new eGen Power 130S, the latest product to be introduced to the company’s eGen Power family of fully electric axles, this week at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany. The new Allison eGen Power 130S was designed specifically to support the heavier 13-ton gross axle weight rating,... Read more →

Volvo Trucks unveiled a completely new, fully electric rear axle at the IAA Transport show in Hannover, Germany. The new e-axle integrates the electric motors and the transmission into the rear axle, thereby freeing up space for more batteries. More batteries mean longer range, which creates opportunities for long distance... Read more →

Bosch is starting volume production of a new drive unit consisting of an electric motor and an integrated inverter for light commercial vehicles. The inverter controls the electric motor and provides the connection to the high-voltage battery. Compared to its predecessors, the new unit provides even higher power and torque... Read more →

For the first time since finalizing the acquisition of Meritor last month (earlier post), Cummins will showcase Meritor’s 17Xe ePowertrain assembled with a Cummins battery system during the IAA Transportation tradeshow in Hannover, Germany. The 17Xe is designed for heavy-duty trucks in the 4x2 and 6x2 segment, with capacity to... Read more →

ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division presented its latest eMobility technologies ahead of IAA Transportation 2022. These include ZF’s new CeTrax 2 electric central drive— an integrated, modular e-driveline system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles—and an advanced new Electric Power Steering (EPS) system for trucks, coaches and city buses. The EPS... Read more →

At the upcoming IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover, Germany, MAHLE will premiere its new SCT electric motor (Superior Continuous Torque), which provides extremely high continuous power and is therefore especially suited to commercial vehicles. (Earlier post.) In addition, MAHLE is presenting its newest systems solutions for battery electric drives,... Read more →

Mercedes‑Benz Vans, the Österreichische Post and MANN+HUMMEL have launched a pilot project to reduce fine dust pollution and to gain comprehensive insights into effectiveness, weather influences and durability in real-life operation. For this purpose, two eSprinter series production vehicles of the Österreichische Post were equipped with optimized fine dust filters... Read more →

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has entered into a license agreement with Israel-based Silentium for automotive Active Road Noise Cancellation (ARNC). Silentium’s Quiet Bubble software technology will be incorporated into one of AKM’s audio voice processors for distribution worldwide. Sample shipment is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022. The electrification... Read more →

GKN Automotive has developed a new test rig capable of handling the unique requirements of electric vehicles. The rig, installed at GKN Automotive’s Offenbach facility, can handle the extreme dynamics and higher torque of electrified powertrains, which make conventional load test rigs unsuitable for driveline parts of the latest generation,... Read more →

At Prawaas 3.0 in Hyderabad (India) earlier this month, Eberspaecher presented its new all-electric air-conditioning system AC135 AE, especially developed for hybrid and battery-electric driven buses in the Asia-Pacific region. Market forecasts show that by 2030, 40% of the bus fleet in India will consist of BEVs. In this context,... Read more →

Based on new business awards and actions announced to date, BorgWarner believes it is already on track to achieve approximately $3.7 billion of electric vehicle revenue by 2025. The company now expects its 2022 electric vehicle revenue to grow to approximately $850 million—more than double what it was in 2021.... Read more →

Drive systems supplier GKN Automotive has reached a major milestone with more than two million electrified vehicles using its eDrive technology on the road globally. Rising demand for electric vehicles has enabled GKN Automotive to increase the range and volume of its products to its existing customers, which make up... Read more →

LightMAT has announced its annual funding opportunity for 2022 for the automotive industry to leverage technical assistance from US Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories. LightMAT is seeking proposals that identify key technical challenges limiting the use of lightweight materials that can further improve the energy efficiency of conventional and... Read more →

During an annual global technology event, ZF presented its advanced steer-by-wire technology for the front axle and announced that this technology will be launched with industrial scale by a major global automaker within the next year. ZF has procured additional customer contracts in all major regions for its steer-by-wire systems... Read more →

The all-new Austral premières the third generation of Renault’s 4-wheel drive system: the 4CONTROL Advanced. Renault is introducing 4-wheel steering technology in the new CMF-CD platform. Thanks to electronic control of the rear wheel steering, it is now possible to modify the rear suspension to offer the best performance in... Read more →

NXP Semiconductors signed a memorandum of understanding with Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) jointly to develop platforms for a new generation of smart connected vehicles. Hon Hai (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer and a leading technology solution provider, will leverage NXP’s portfolio of automotive technologies and its longstanding expertise... Read more →

Sensata Technologies has developed a new fly-by-wire inceptor (sidesticks or centersticks used to direct and maneuver aircraft) for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and has provided prototypes to several advanced air mobility manufacturers. A passive inceptor is a cockpit control device through which pilot inputs are collected and... Read more →

Westport Fuel Systems Inc. has been awarded a program to develop and supply liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems for a number of vehicle applications for a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The deal is forecasted to provide €38 million in revenue through the end of 2025, with production expected to... Read more →