Automotive Industry: Detroit’s Cultural Change
Automotive Industry: Detroit's Cultural Change
image: mug25
Once upon a time it was known as the world's traditional automotive powerhouse, but unfortunately 'Detroit' is no longer a symbol of power within the global automotive industry. Detroit's automotive industry has been forced upon a cultural change as a pure form of transformation, which was radical and fundamental. This cultural change involved changing the basic values, norms, and beliefs, in order to significantly improve performance. A mission that appeared impossibly daunting with numerous obstacles: collapse of market shares, overwhelming structural costs, profuse bleeding of cash.
The unusual suspect character that led the effort had no automotive or governmental experience. Steven Rattner left his Wall Street position, and straight into the largest restructuring attempt in American history. The scale and speed of the rescue raised many more questions, especially within the automotive circle. Rattner, who led the task force, believed passionately that the decision to intervene prevented a colossal economic collapse. Part of the suspicion was caused by the appointment of a 'non-car czar' to come to the rescue of a passionate industry.
Electric Vehicles: Sounds
Electric Vehicles: Sounds
The near silent nature of Hybrids and Electric Vehicles is clearly a potential safety problem for pedestrians. Until now, the branded sounds cars make has been a function of the engine and exhaust system. The option of making future electric vehicles sound like anything we want creates a world of options.
After decades of trying to make cars quieter, manufacturers are willing to bring back, and even brand, decibels. It’s clear that some vehicle manufacturers see prospects of warning sounds as a unique and possibly valuable form of branding. Maybe even to the point of a commercial prospect.
Rare Metals
Rare Metals
Rehabilitate vehicles off one addiction - petroleum - and get them hooked on another: rare earth elements. That is the issue the industry is facing by switching over to electricity as the energy of choice. The world is facing hi-tech crunch as China eyes ban on rare metal exports. Beijing is drawing up plans to prohibit or restrict exports of rare earth metals that are produced only in China and play a vital role in cutting edge technology; from hybrid cars to catalytic converters.
Every large car manufacturer either has hybrids on the market, or is planning to introduce them, but key components of the electric motors and batteries in hybrids are almost completely controlled by China. It is a little known, but increasingly important fact, that China produces more than 93 percent of so-called rare earth elements (REEs), and specifically more than 99 percent of two particular elements, dysprosium and terbium, which are key components in hybrid cars.
