In fact many innovations introduced in cars and trucks have come from supplier companies, including electronic fuel injection, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), auto-dimming mirrors, electronic stability control, and a host of others. One of the keys to survival for any medium- to large-size auto parts supplier is innovation, either an improvement or significant refinement to an existing system or introduction of a totally new concept or technology. A major emphasis in the early years of the twenty-first century was to make vehicles more environmentally compatible by reducing exhaust emissions and improving fuel mileage. This has included not only refining the venerable internal combustion engine but seeking alternative fuels and powertrains as well, including hybrid, all-electric, and fuel cell systems. Advanced safety systems are also a major focus, including everything from occupant protection systems ranging form “smart” air bags and seat belt systems to accident avoidance systems.
While the vehicle manufacturers take the lead in much development work, they rely heavily on their parts suppliers to develop and refine many of the technologies and devices required to make the new systems possible. These efforts include advanced batteries capable of long-range touring without frequent recharging; bio-fuels for both diesel and gasoline engines; inexpensive catalysts for fuel cells; and gasoline and diesel engine refinements to make these powertrains even quieter, more fuel efficient, and capable of higher power and torque outputs. Electric motor advances are being pursued to make these powerplants practical as either the primary motive force or as part of a hybrid system mated with an internal combustion engine. In hybrid versions, the internal combustion engine may be used in any of three ways: as part of a generating system to charge the batteries; as an auxiliary to the electric motor providing extra power when needed as well as recharging the batteries; or as the main motive force while the batteries are used to power all other systems in the vehicle, reducing demands on the internal combustion engine.
A great deal of R&D effort by both the vehicle manufactures and engine suppliers is being devoted to refining the diesel engine. Diesel may wind up being the best solution to an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly powertrain. The diesel engine suffers from a negative image. It is thought to be noisy, dirty, hard to start, and expensive. Research, as reported in a May 2004 report in Motor magazine, has largely addressed these issues but ongoing R&D among diesel engine builders and fuel system suppliers is focused on improved engine management systems, common rail fuel systems, direct injection, high pressure injectors, multiple spray patterns, turbocharging, particulate filters, and new biomass fuels. In the longer term, fuel cells are considered to be the next revolution in automotive powertrains. Fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen by using electrochemical devices. Such systems are inherently clean in that water is their by-product. Research into the development of viable fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) is directed at reducing the cost of fuel cells, improving their performance, and developing effective and efficient ways to produce and store hydrogen and other fuels. The effort is spearheaded by Freedom-CAR, a cooperate venture between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and CaFCP, the California Fuel Cell Partnership formed to encourage private companies and government agencies to work together to move FCVs toward commercialization.
