RESEARCH
Return to CAR Research

CAR Research Groups:
Economics & Business Group

Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology

Transportation and Information Systems Planning

Publications:
View CAR Recent Publications

Staff:
View CAR Staff List

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology (MET)
Jay Baron, PhD, Director
Brett Smith, Assistant Director

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Group focuses on evolving technologies and manufacturing engineering systems, primarily in the automotive industry. Technology and product planning are combined with manufacturing to provide a comprehensive and strategic perspective. A significant effort continues to support improving the performance of vehicle development through research in manufacturing systems, tooling, and new technologies of car and light-truck bodies. Research is directed at reducing new vehicle development costs and lead time while improving product quality. One major initiative includes addressing the strategic and technological challenges of producing vehicles probably at lower volumes. The scope of this perspective incorporates market analysis, supply chain requirements, and new manufacturing technologies to lower tooling investment and increase manufacturing flexibility.

MET has also provided technological assessments regarding future powertrain development. The uncertainty over future requirements for efficient and clean power derived from gasoline, diesel, electric hybrids, natural gas or fuel cells (for example), will significantly affect future vehicle development requirements.

The MET group has assembled multiple coalitions as an effective mechanism to address broad-based industry concerns while using limited resources. Tooling coalitions have been formed to exploit collaborative synergies available from multiple niche companies, and to reduce costs through improved design, program management, tooling construction, and launch support. Another industry coalition has been assembled to collaborate on providing economically viable components, tooling, and services for low-volume vehicle production. MET identifies and assembles coalition members, facilitates meetings and communication, and manages project tasks.

MET also manages the Auto Body Consortium (ABC), an organization focused on developing and deploying manufacturing technologies and competitive techniques and systems for the design, processing, and production of automobile bodies. ABC provides companies with opportunities for collaborative research among automotive manufacturers, leading suppliers, and the research community to apply generic state-of-the-art solutions to common industry challenges. Typical activities have addressed manufacturing processes to improve car body quality, new manufacturing technologies (e.g., hot metal gas forming), and digital engineering and tooling development for new vehicle launches. ABC is jointly funded by government sources and private industry.

MET continues to work with automotive companies and suppliers from around the world. Many new technologies and systems are not documented for public consumption. MET facilitates the collection and dissemination of new developments by focusing on manufacturing, engineering and technological concepts and principles without compromising intellectual property. Surveys, benchmark studies, and forecasting analysis on automotive technology and manufacturing systems are prominent methods to enhance the knowledge and understanding of new developments. CAR’s reputation is the foundation for cross-company learning (benchmarking) and coalition building.

CAR’s long history of digital engineering and tooling development for new vehicle launches, industry analysis, and industry access, combined with the ability to leverage technical expertise from throughout the industry, ideally positions MET to undertake research that highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of automotive technologies, manufacturing and engineering, materials, and advanced powertrains.

Major sponsors have included: American Iron and Steel Institute, Auto/Steel Partnership, BMW, Robert Bosch Corporation, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, and the National Institute of Standards & Technology.