Pieces of Plastic
Notable developments and uses of polymers, from turbochargers to oil pans to...yes, the Batmobile.
VIEWPOINT | MEET WCX, THE RE-IMAGINED SAE WORLD CONGRESS
The SAE World Congress is no more. Meet WCX 17, its reimagined replacement, which will debut April 4-6 at Detroit’s Cobo Center.
Daimler Buys Evonik’s Stakes in Two Battery Ventures
Daimler AG has agreed to take full control of its two batterymaking ventures with Germany's Evonik Industries AG.
Daimler, Evonik Mull Ways to Prop Up Shaky Battery Venture
Daimler AG may find a partner to help bolster its struggling battery cell venture with Germany's Evonik Industries AG unless the two companies decide to sell the venture, according to media reports.
Daimler, Evonik Ponder How to Prop Up Ailing Battery Cell Venture
Daimler AG may find a partner to help bolster its struggling battery cell venture with Germany's Evonik Industries AG unless the two companies decide to sell the venture, according to media reports.
Rheinmetall Delays IPO of KSPG Auto Parts Unit
Engineering group Rheinmetall AG has postponed plans for an initial public offering for its automotive subsidiary KSPG until after this summer, citing Europe's volatile financial markets.
Auto Supplier Index Shows Stable Outlook
Auto suppliers are slightly less optimistic than they were in March, but overall attitudes remain stable because of rising North American vehicle output, according to the Original Equipment Suppliers Assn.
Carmakers, Suppliers Agree on Resin Validation Plan
Major carmakers and suppliers have agreed on a plan to quickly validate alternates to PA-12 resin, a critical material in fuel and brake systems that is expected to remain in short supply until late this year.
Output at Damaged Resin Plant Won’t Resume for 6 Months
Evonik Industries AG says its chemical plant in Germany won't be able to return to making cyclododecatriene a material used in about half the world's PA-12 nylon resin until the fourth quarter of 2012.
Damaged Resin Plant Won’t Reopen Until Autumn
Germany's Evonik Industries AG says it expects to restore production at a resin plant that was damaged in a March 31 explosion by the fourth quarter of this year.
Carmakers Agree to Fast-Track Tests of Resin Substitutes
A group of 26 carmakers and suppliers have tentatively agreed to an accelerated validation process for alternatives to PA-12, a nylon resin used in fuel and brake systems.
Carmakers Agree on Plan to Accelerate Tests for Resin Substitutes
A group of 26 carmakers and suppliers have tentatively agreed to an accelerated validation process for alternatives to PA-12, a nylon resin used in fuel and brake systems.
Resin Shortage May Hit Europe’s Carmakers First
European automakers are likely to be affected first and most severely by shortages of nylon-12 resin because suppliers there carry lower inventories of the material, Bloomberg News reports, citing auto analysts.
A smart Approach to Electric Vehicles
If the smart fortwo is a city car—and, arguably, it is—then it makes perfect sense for the vehicle to be an electric car.
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Design & Production
Resin Shortage May Hit Europe’s Carmakers First
European automakers are likely to be affected first and most severely by shortages of nylon-12 resin because suppliers there carry lower inventories of the material, Bloomberg News reports, citing auto analysts.
PA-12 Resin Relief Is Months Away
The developing global shortage of PA-12, a nylon resin used in fuel and brake systems, appears unlikely to improve for several months.
Solution to Auto Industry’s Resin Crisis Is Months Away
Carmakers and suppliers don't expect the developing global shortage of PA-12, a nylon used in fuel and brake systems, to improve for at least three months.
Carmakers, Suppliers to Discuss Resin Crisis
Executives from carmakers and auto suppliers are holding an emergency meeting in suburban Detroit on Tuesday to discuss the global shortage of PA-12 resin caused by a fatal explosion at an Evonik Industries plant in Germany on March 31.
Suppliers, Carmakers to Meet on Resin Crisis
Auto suppliers and vehicle producers are meeting in suburban Detroit on Tuesday to discuss the global shortage of PA-12 resin caused by a fatal explosion at an Evonik Industries plant in Germany on March 31.
Resin Shortage Could Disrupt Auto Production Worldwide
A fire at a German chemical plant last month could create a "severe" shortage of a key component in the resin used to make fuel and brake line coatings and flexible hoses, Bloomberg News reports.
Fire at German Plant Could Create Auto Resin Shortage
A fire at a German chemical plant last month could create a "severe" shortage of a key component in the resin used to make fuel and brake line coatings and flexible hoses, Bloomberg News reports.
Smart’s Latest EV Adds Power, Driving Range
Daimler AG will take the wraps off the third-generation electric variant of is Smart city car next month at the Frankfurt auto show.
JCI Touts Lightweight Seat Design
Johnson Controls Inc. is developing a carbon fiber-based seat frame system with a goal of cutting weight by 40% vs. traditional metal designs.
Daimler, Renault Fight Over Battery Development
Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan alliance, which announced their equity partnership last week, have not yet agreed who should develop EV batteries, reports Bloomberg News.
BYD to Partner with Daimler on Electric Vehicles
China's BYD Co. and Daimler AG have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop and market an all-electric vehicle under a new yet-to-be-named brand in China.
Daimler, BYD to Team Up on Electric Vehicles
Daimler AG and BYD Co. have agreed to jointly develop an all-electric vehicle for China.
