Abstract
This intelligence set represents excellent value for money, it includes just-auto' s first edition powertrains report along with profiles of the major players in the market: Ford, Honda, GM, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan, PSA, Renault, Toyota and VW.
Anyone responsible for engineering or product-planning light-duty vehicle powertrains has to find the answers to three basic questions. These are:
- The state of current and evolving powertrain technology
- How many units to build, of what type, using which technologies
- Where and how to build them
This, the first powertrains report from just-auto aims to provide these answers. Written by industry expert Jeff Daniels (author of just-auto' s best-selling transmissions report), this report draws on data and activities to the end of September 2006 and forecasts the sector to 2014. It contains trended market data for this period for overall car and LCV assembly by region, and the volume and % penetration of the major powertrain types including diesel and hybrid.
At over 20,000 words, this report provides a technical overview of how powertrains are evolving, covering powertrain technology, powertrain type and their markets, powertrain manufacturing considerations and comments on the future for this fast-evolving automotive sector.
Report summary:
Chapter one: Powertrain technology.
Until about 1975, designing a new engine was about achieving the required power and torque output, with acceptable operating refinement, for minimum bulk and cost. Since that time, more and more external, and especially legislative, pressures have come to bear on the engine designer, who must today take account of the need for legislated limits on exhaust emissions, noise levels and (increasingly) energy efficiency, measured either as fuel consumption or as CO2 emissions. This chapter discusses how engine design requires an awareness of the many technologies now available, or being developed, to improve emissions performance and economy.
Chapter two: Powertrain type and volume considerations.
Tables in this chapter show the numbers of vehicles produced in the main vehicle-producing geographical areas in 2000-2005, and forecasts production for 2006-2014. The forecast figures reflect several recently arising factors including the likelihood of a worldwide economic slowdown around 2008, the effect of increasing fuel price in damping consumer demand for vehicles especially in the fully developed markets, and recent moves by Ford and General Motors in particular to downsize the volume of their operations in North America.
The main area of powertrain manufacturing growth in the period under consideration will undoubtedly be in Asia outside Japan, above all in China and to a lesser (but still very substantial) extent in India. The majority of European, North American and Japanese manufacturers have now concluded agreements with Chinese companies to manufacture powertrains in significant quantity, with several plants planned for production of up to 300,000 units per year. Use this chapter to discover more about these developments in China other Asian regions.
Chapter three: Powertrain manufacturing considerations.
Where production is concerned, it might appear logical to manufacture engines either directly alongside vehicle assembly, as close to it as possible. In fact, there are a number of factors influencing the locations of engine plants other than proximity to vehicle assembly. These include low cost premises, a sufficiently skilled or trainable workforce and the availability of components and systems such as forgings, castings, electrical components and fuel and ignition systems. This chapter outlines where powertrains are manufactured and why the major manufacturers have chosen these particular locations.
Chapter four: The future
In the medium term, the shape of the powertrain sector will be influenced by the trend away from pure internal combustion powertrains and towards hybrids, which require the addition of more or less substantial electrical machinery. Use this chapter to learn about the predicted future developments and hybrid and fuel cell powertrain influences.
A typical profile contains the following:
- Chapter 1: Company dossier - a brief outline of business activity, stock symbol, key executives, financial statistics, customers, and an outlook.
- Chapter 2: Worldwide locations - gives the production locations and number of employees.
- Chapter 3: Financial Analysis - sales figures, profit, investments, cash flow, depreciation, research and development, and number of employees.
- Chapter 4: Competitor analysis - identifies rivals and illustrates market share
- Chapter 5: Key events in the company' s history
- Chapter 6: Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).
- Chapter 7: Customers - locations of customers are given
- Chapter 8: Products - details brands and product ranges
- Chapter 9: Product development - recent innovations and product launches.
- Chapter 10: Prospects
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Powertrain technology
- Exhaust emission regulations
- Fuel economy regulations
- New technical features and systems
- Petrol technology evolution
- Diesel technology evolution
- Alternative fuels
- Innovative powertrains
Chapter 2 Powertrain type and volume considerations
- Basic engineering decisions
- Engineering decisions
- Powertrain configuration and installation
- V-configuration
- Choice of dimensions
- Cylinder size
- Cylinder dimensions
- Cylinder spacing (bore centre spacing)
- Connecting rod length
- Materials for powertrain manufacture
- Cylinder head and combustion chamber
- Valve gear
- Induction system
- Fuel system
- Ignition system
- Cooling
- Lubrication
- Powertrain management
- Emissions control
- Overall volume requirements
- Geographical markets
- The EU 15
- North America
- Japan and South Korea
- The rest of the world
- Market segments
Chapter 3 Powertrain manufacturing considerations
Chapter 4 The future
- Internal combustion technical trends
- Hybrid powertrain influences
- Fuel cell hybrid powertrain influences
List of tables
- Table 1.1: Main exhaust emission regulation regimes for light passenger cars
- Table 1.2: Evolution of European exhaust emission regulations (g/km)
- Table 1.3: Fuel economy standards
- Table 2.1: Worldwide car and LCV assembly by geographical area, 2000-2014 (units ' 000)
- Table 2.2: Diesel penetration by geographical area, 2005-2014 (' 000s and %)
- Table 2.3: Hybrid penetration by geographical area, 2005-2014 (' 000s and %)
- Table 2.4: European (EU15) market segmentation, 1H 2006 (% and m)
- Table 2.5: US market segmentation, passenger car and light commercial1, 2004 (units ' 000s)
- Table 2.6: Engine classification within segments
- Table 3.1: Major engine manufacturing plants worldwide
