• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

Engineering

Ford is “All In” With Start-Stop Technology

December 17, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Start-stop technology is one of the newest engineering features that automakers are employing in a bid to squeeze more mpg out of every model sold. What start-stop does is to shut down the engine when idle, such as at a traffic light or at a railroad stop, then automatically restarts the engine when the driver releases the brake to step on the accelerator. When available, the technology increases city fuel economy by upwards of 10 percent.

Of more than three dozen models driven by this writer in 2013, just three were start-stop equipped: two BMW models — the M6 and 435i — and the Chevrolet Malibu. The hesitancy experienced with the manually controlled M6 was at times annoying, while the Malibu’s system was virtually flawless and not intrusive. The 435i fell closer to the Malibu.

2014 Ford Fiesta with Auto Start-Stop

Auto Start-Stop

The Ford Motor Company announced last week that it intends to make its Auto Start-Stop system available on 70 percent of its North American vehicle lineup by 2017. The automaker’s initiative is part of the company’s Blueprint for Sustainability, an effort to provide “outstanding fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our products.”

Ford’s commitment to the Auto Start-Stop will be apparent in the 2014 Ford Fiesta, notably the 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. That model is rated at 32 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, the latter achieving the highest fuel efficiency for a gas powered only model on the market.

With auto start-stop, the engine will shut down, but the battery will continue to power accessories and systems such as the navigation system and climate control while stopped. Ford says that the engine restarts as the driver begins to release the brake pedal, delivering fuel savings ranging from 3.5 to 10 percent. Ford says that the technology also provides a “meaningful reduction in CO2 emissions that are avoided during long idle times.”

Hybrids and Europe

Start-stop technology is not new to Ford. It is popular in Europe and is also included with its standard and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. By the end of this year, more than 500,000 global Ford vehicles sold will come with Auto Start-Stop, a technology that is also sold with the 2014 Ford Fusion equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine.

Besides Auto Start-Stop, Ford has other fuel-saving technologies in play. Electric power-assisted steering is standard across its entire model line, delivering a 3 to 5 percent improvement in fuel economy. Its six-speed automatic transmissions are also standard throughout and improve fuel economy by 4 to 6 percent over previously used slushboxes.

Ford has also been achieving important fuel savings by deploying its trademark EcoBoost engines in 90 percent of its product line. EcoBoost combines turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve lift technology to squeeze more power from a smaller engine footprint. These engines also run cleaner and burn less fuel while delivering performance equal to what its larger engines provide. For instance, a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine used in the numerous products makes 350 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque, matching or beating what previous V-8 engine delivered.

Where Else Deployed

Besides Ford and the previously mentioned BMW and Chevrolet products, start-stop technology is also included or available with the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volvo S60 Diesel, and the Audi A8 to name a few. Among mainstream brands, only Ford and Chevrolet have demonstrated a commitment to the technology, but as its use becomes more widespread, prices drop and fuel economy mandates rise, we’re likely to see it universally adopted. But not all models have kill switches, including the current Malibu, representing undesirable and uncontrolled technology for some drivers.


Recent News Stories

Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Silhouette Teased

GM Federal Ownership Ends; Mary Barra Ascends

Center for Automotive Research Says GM, Chrysler Bailouts Benefited US Economy

Chevrolet Europe and a New GM Strategy

Filed Under: Engineering & Technology Tagged With: AUTO START-STOP, EcoBoost, Engineering, Ford Motor Company, HYBRIDS, Technology

The Average Salary of Automotive Engineers

April 30, 2012 by admin 8 Comments

Information updated May 2, 2020.

By Charles K. Green

What automotive engineers earn.


Infiniti Engineering Academy
Infiniti Engineering Academy students complete a series of challenges as part of their placement.

Automotive engineers help shape auto trends, by developing new or improved vehicle designs. Such planning can cover the car’s body, its powertrain system, and other vehicle systems. Engineers make use of computer-assisted technologies to build, modify, and test vehicles and related components.

These professionals numbered 312,900 as of 2018, with most earning bachelor degrees and others obtaining master’s degrees in a bid to qualify for management positions. For government reporting and statistical purposes, automotive engineers are typically included with data for mechanical engineers.

Average Pay for Automotive Engineers

The mean annual wage for mechanical engineers (including automotive engineers) was $94,500 as of May 2019 according to the BLS.

Those in the 10th percentile averaged $27.05 per hour while those in the 50th percentile earned $42.00. Automotive engineers in the 90th percentile earned $65.65 per hour, according to CareerOneStop (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor).

Largest Industries

According to Stony Brook University, most automotive engineers are employed directly by new car manufacturers.

In the U.S., General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler are among the largest original equipment manufacturers  (OEM) and employers. Other manufacturers, including Nissan, Honda, Toyota, BMW, the Volkswagen Group, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Kia, also employ automotive technicians.

Engineers can find work with industry suppliers — Robert Bosch, Johnson Controls, TRW Automotive, Lear, and BorgWarner have hired in recent years. With the advent of autonomous driving, companies not traditionally associated with the auto industry are also employing engineers, including Google’s Waymo subsidiary and Uber.

By Location

As of 2017, approximately 15 percent of automotive engineers worked in Michigan with California a close second. Wages in Michigan are near the national average, but higher in California.

Other larger pockets of automotive engineers can be found where car manufacturing plants are located including in Tennessee, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, and Texas.

Training

Automotive engineers typically complete a mechanical engineering program at a four-year college. Such programs often include a co-op program, enabling students to gain important experience before they graduate college. Most programs are accredited by ABET, the former Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Students should possess excellent mechanical and problem-solving skills, and have advanced math skills including trigonometry and calculus. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require licensure for engineers that offer their service directly to the public. Certification is received through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) offering certification directly related to the industry.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects a 4 percent increase in automotive engineer jobs through 2028, representing a below-average growth rate for all jobs. Much depends on the long-term outlook of the automotive industry which is in transition to electrification.

Those engineers with the desire to pursue advanced technologies such as electric vehicles are especially in demand. Engineers with a desire to relocate can find work across the United States and in some cases abroad.


Additional Salary Articles


The Average Salary of Automotive Body Technicians

What Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics Earn

The Average Salary of Automotive Engineering Technicians

The Average Salary of Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

The Average Salary of Automotive Engineers

The Average Salary of Automotive Service Technicians

Photo copyright Infiniti.

Filed Under: Automotive Career Tagged With: AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, AUTO MECHANIC, Automotive Body Technician, Automotive Engineer Work, Automotive Engineering Jobs, Automotive Technician, CAREER, CAREERS, Engineering, Engineering Technicians, Greentech Automotive, SALARIES, UNITED STATES

Hankook Tire: No Longer Anonymous

October 6, 2011 by admin 3 Comments

A Korean tire manufacturer wants you to know the ‘Hankook Tire’ name.

You’ve heard of Firestone, Goodyear and Michelin, but what about Hankook Tire? Maybe you have and simply just didn’t make the connection. This company, based in South Korea, is the seventh-largest tire manufacturer in the world, deriving 20 percent of its business from original equipment manufacturers and the rest from customers seeking replacement tires.

And it is with replacement tires that the Hankook name may have surfaced for you, especially if your tire retailer includes Hankook among your choices. You may have also noticed the manufacturer’s prominently displayed ad in New York City’s Times Square or as a sponsor of 22 major league baseball teams. Moreover, Hankook Tire is a significant supporter of Formula Drift.

Industry Suppliers

Opportunities to visit the facilities of auto industry suppliers don’t come nearly as often do my visits with the car manufacturers, so when Hankook invited me to visit the company’s research and development center in Akron, Ohio, I jumped at the chance. The company’s U.S. headquarters are located in Wayne, New Jersey, but the Akron Technical Center is where much of Hankook’s U.S. marketed products are conceived.

Hankook Tire

► 7th largest tire manufacturer in the world
► 7th largest tire retailer in the United States
► New plant is under construction in Indonesia
► Hankook has 5 R&D centers worldwide
► 80% of its business is replacement tires
► OE manufacturer for 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
► Ventus S1 evo luxury premium summer UHP #1

Only four media professionals were invited for Hankook’s event, a five-hour show and tell of the company’s facility, providing us with the unique opportunity to meet with some of the top engineers in the business. Although the company’s Akron facility has been in existence for nearly two decades, many of the 40 or more employees on hand were lured to Hankook from other tire manufacturers including B.F. Goodrich, Dunlop and Goodyear.

Hankook History

Hankook Tire was launched in 1941, survived foreign occupation and two devastating wars, and is one of several companies that have helped to transform South Korea from an impoverished nation into an international powerhouse. Rapid growth has come in the past 10 years — the company is the only global tire manufacturer that has managed to remain profitable and increase its market share. With its current or under construction manufacturing plants in South Korea, China, Hungary and Indonesia, the company expects to climb to fifth place globally by 2014, but it will still be well behind Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear, the tire industry’s version of the Big 3.

The Hankook name is found on a variety of tire applications including cars, pickup trucks, touring and racing, medium and light-duty buses, and winter duty. The company does not make motorcycle tires nor will you find its tires on earthmoving equipment — a spokesman for Hankook noted that the company is satisfied with its current market penetration and will concentrate on growing those segments.

Technical Center

The Akron Technical Center is all about engineering, research, rubber compounding and testing. Why Akron? Well, Akron was once known as the “tire manufacturing capital of the world,” but has long since seen its industry flee overseas. What’s left are several research centers and Goodyear’s global headquarters. Notably, the University of Akron is a prime research hub for tire manufacturing, enabling industry minds and academia to collaborate. Hankook says that a number of its new workers come from schools such as Akron, students who complete a cooperative education program and are hired upon graduation.

Tire design is conceived by utilizing proprietary or industry software. Not until engineers have determined the concept’s viability is the design forwarded to another department for a full scale mockup.

Our comprehensive tour allowed us to see the inner sanctum of Hankook’s U.S. research and development. No cameras were allowed, but much was shown, including proprietary equipment that runs tires through a series of tests including one device that tests a tire’s ability to withstand temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

These tests are run by engineers to help determine how tires behave on the road including measuring for noise, vibration and harshness. We learned that when a car manufacturer considers a tire for its vehicles, the automaker works closely with Hankook Tire to design one to its specifications. This involves starting the process off by using in-house software to design the tire, followed by a review from Hankook engineers before a prototype is built at ATC.

Once a design is determined, then that information is transferred to South Korea and a set of ready for testing tires is shipped stateside for automaker inspection. It takes about two or three cycles of development to get the right tires made before a final design is locked down. The final design follows extensive track testing to ensure that the tires meet the car manufacturer’s exacting requirements.

Once a design passes engineering scrutiny, it passes to an “artist” who designs and cuts the tire accordingly. That design eventually finds its way to South Korea where a set of road ready tires are shipped back to the United States for testing.

Natural & Synthetic

If you are under the impression that tires are chiefly made from natural rubber, then you’re mistaken. Natural rubber is used, but SBR, bromobutyl, polybutylene and EPDM may also be used, synthetic rubbers that are mixed and milled with other ingredients until the right consistency is made. Yes, there are some similarities between tire making and cake baking — you need the right ingredients and percentages thereof to produce a finished product that won’t go flat when it exits the oven.

The Hankook tour underscored the importance of tire safety and vehicle control. To this day, when you purchase a new car, the car manufacturer extends its warranty to every vehicle component except the tires. Your tires are warranted solely by the tire manufacturer, but the relationship between the car company and the tire company is the same as you would find between the automaker and a suspension supplier, for example. With tires, a separate umbrella of protection is offered directly from the tire manufacturer, an original equipment supplier that is chosen by the car manufacturer.

Renting an ice rink helps engineers to see just how well tires grip ice. Other tests include spewing water on a track and measuring hydroplaning.

Manufacturing Guidelines

The most important takeaway from my visit with the Hankook Tire people is that there is much more engineering that goes into tire construction then you might guess. Federal regulations, industry guidelines and company operating procedures are followed to ensure that the finished product conforms to these stipulations. That’s critically important, because tires not only hold up an important consumer investment, but can affect the lives of people riding inside of these vehicles.

Disclaimer — Hankook Tire paid for my flight, hotel and meals. No money was exchanged to solicit a review from me. These comments are entirely my own.

Photos: Hankook Tire USA

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: Akron, ATC, Engineering, HANKOOK TIRES, OHIO, South Korea, tires

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover

Recent Comments

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Buying Guide: 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Kia Telluride: Opulent, Large Crossover
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Class Act: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Highlights of the 2020 Toyota Sienna
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand — Auto Trends Magazine on Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
  • The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer Forges Urban Paths
  • The Small Infiniti QX50 is Big on Tech and Engineering Features
  • Toyota Brings the TRD Treatment to the Midsize Camry Sedan
  • The Kia K5 Outclasses Most Competitors, Including the Departing Optima
  • Can the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Handle Tough Terrain?
  • Subaru WRX Showcases Its Performance Chops
  • Infiniti Overhauls QX80 Trims and Makes This Important Safety Feature Standard
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package
  • A Cut Above: Mazda’s Mazda3
  • The Highly Efficient Hyundai Ioniq
  • Volkswagen Atlas Revels in its Strengths
  • General Motors Deepens Partnership With Honda, Takes Stake in Nikola
  • Smart Concept: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • More Than an Encore: Buick Encore GX
  • Got a Recall? There’s an App for That.
  • Refreshed Nissan Titan Makes Its Case
  • BMW M235i: Not Your Typical Coupe
  • Hot Stuff: Lexus RC F Sport Coupe
  • Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?
  • Rumors? We Got Them!
  • About Bollinger Motors, EV Startup
  • Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • White Space Wonder: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • About the 2021 Genesis GV80
  • The Toyota Supra Gets a Four-Cylinder Engine and We’re Simply Gobsmacked!
  • Jim Farley Appointed Ford President and CEO
  • 12 Things We LOVE About the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack
January 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec    

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in