AD #1686 – Time for Closed Cockpits? Middle East Loves U.S. Cars, Suppliers Exit Interiors
August 24th, 2015 at 11:56am
Runtime: 7:34
- Time to Close Open Cockpits?
- Michigan Installs V2X Technology
- Middle East Loves U.S. Cars
- What’s Up With This BMW?
- Suppliers Exiting Interiors
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On today’s show… is it time for IndyCar to adopt closed cockpits?, a look at the upheaval in the interior components business and the Middle East loves to drive American cars. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for August 24th, 2015.
TIME FOR CLOSED COCKPITS?
In a high speed accident at the Indy Car race at Pocono speedway yesterday, Justin Wilson was struck in the helmet by a piece of debris. The impact resulted in serious injuries that left Wilson in a coma and fighting for his life. The debris was thrown in the air when another driver, Sage Karam, lost control of his car while in the lead and struck the outside wall. This is not a new problem with race cars with open cockpits. Other drivers have been hurt by debris, too. Racing authorities have been debating for years whether they should enclose the cockpit, and have conducted tests to see how strong they would have to be. The Red Bull Formula One team even released drawings for a closed cockpit several years ago. But the appeal of open cockpit race cars is that you can see the driver, so there’s a lot of opposition to a canopy. Here at Autoline we think that a tall windshield might be enough to protect drivers from debris. So what do you think? Should racing adopt full canopies, a tall windshield, or what?
MI INSTALLS V2I TECHNOLOGY
Connected vehicles have the potential to greatly improve safety because drivers can get warnings about accidents, traffic or other hazards to avoid those dangers. And the state of Michigan just took the first steps to create a connected car infrastructure. The Detroit News reports that MDOT has installed sensors and cameras along 20 miles of highway on I-96 and I-696 in Metro Detroit. Several automakers and the University of Michigan are also involved in the project. There aren’t any cars on the road today that can communicate with the system… the 2017 Cadillac CTS will be the first car to be equipped with the technology. And this technology is a first one towards self-driving cars.
Still to come… what’s up with this BMW? and the Middle East in one of the U.S.’s top export markets.
MIDDLE EAST LOVES U.S. CARS
There is one area where the United States and the Middle East truly connect in a positive way. In the Middle East, they love American cars. The region represents the fourth largest export market for American made cars, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates being the biggest markets. But even tiny little Kuwait with a population of only 3 million people buys the same number of American cars as are exported to Japan with a population of 127 million. If and when the Middle East ever settles down, the car market there could be phenomenal. Last year the US exported over 230,000 cars to the region. With a little bit of stability there, that number could really grow.
| 2014 U.S. Exports to Middle East | |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 106,004 |
| UAE | 65,669 |
| Kuwait | 19,451 |
| Oman | 10,709 |
| Qatar | 10,246 |
| Israel | 7,651 |
| Bahrain | 7,577 |
| Jordan | 3,167 |
| Egypt | 829 |
| Yemen | 610 |
| Djibouti | 26 |
| TOTAL | 231,939 |
LOOK AT THEM PIPES
Every once in a while we ask for your help identifying a classic car and we’re looking for your help again, but this time it’s something much more modern. Autoline viewer Wim van Acker spotted this camoed BMW parked on the streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The car appears to be a new 7 Series with German license plates on the front and rear, but is also rocking a Georgia plate in the window. What’s real interesting about this car are these odd-looking tailpipes. Does it have some kind of special powertrain? We thought it could have been a fuel cell, but it sure looks like there’s some carbon buildup at the end of the pipes. And what’s up with that hook sticking out of the bumper? Maybe an anchor spot for when the car’s strapped down to a dyno? What do you think is up with this BMW? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
Coming up next, John sees a lot of turmoil with suppliers who make interior components for the automotive industry.
SUPPLIERS EXITING INTERIORS
What in the world is going on with the suppliers who make interior components for car companies? It’s almost as if a call went out earlier this year for them to get out of the business. Could it be that automakers want to start in-sourcing this business and that sent everyone running for the exits?
First, JCI, the largest interior supplier in the world sold off most of that business to a Chinese supplier called Yanfeng. And overnight, Yanfeng became the largest interior supplier in the world. Then shortly after that Magna decided to sell its interiors business to a Spanish company called Grupo Antolin. And then the CEO of the interior supplier IAC, abruptly left the company to become the CEO of Dana. That prompted Wilbur Ross, the main shareholder in IAC to bring in Steve Miller, a turnaround artist who previously worked at Chrysler and Delphi and other companies. Miller is managing the company while he uses his connections in the industry to find a new CEO. On top of all this Faurecia, the supplier company owned by Peugeot, which makes interior and exterior components formed a joint venture with the Chinese automaker Dongfeng. Unlike the law for foreign automakers, there is no legal requirement for foreign suppliers to form joint ventures with Chinese companies. So this could be the first step for Peugeot to spin off Faurecia?
And yet, Lear, another Tier 1 interior supplier is posting good profits and strong margins. And Yangfeng, which bought JCI’s interiors business, says it sees plenty of growth opportunities, especially in Mexico. So it’s not as if everyone is running for the exits.
Even so, we have never seen so much turmoil in such a short amount of time in the supplier business. Everything that I mentioned here just happened over the summer. Economists may call it creative destruction, but this kind of change inevitably leads to disruptions and quality problems that automakers want to avoid.
Anyway that’s how I see it. And as always we welcome your comments and insights. But that wraps up today’s report. Thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (39)
August 24th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Sean, I must admit, when I first read today’s caption “Time to close open cockpits” paired with that pic of a sedan interior, my thoughts went instantly to having a plexiglass divider to activate at the touch of a button to isolate my wife and I from the constant chatter and noise from our 5 and 7 yr old boys in the back seat.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted that feature!
August 24th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Given today’s available tech, perhaps open cockpit racers could have sensor controlled “instant” partial or full enclosure to deflect incoming debris.
August 24th, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Sensors
Google, EPA and Aclima are teaming up to put air quality sensors on Google’s Street View cars. Beginning in Denver and expanding to the bay area, the cars will measure pollutants as they develop through the day. From Smithsonian magazine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/google-street-view-cars-mapping-city-air-pollution-180956205/?no-ist
____
driver protection.
For all the structure built up around the drivers today, we already cannot see the drivers. The addition of a thick debris shield, open at the top for cooling and escape, would seem simple. Maybe it’s more complicated though. Justin Wilson is only the latest driver to pay.
_____
Bayerische Mystery Wagon
Do I care? Hang dich auf.
August 24th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
I also want a debris shield to protect drivers’ hands. A few years ago Romain Grosjean tore through the field airborne at the start of the Spa GP and his car passed directly over the hands of Fernando Alonso. It was just luck that the best driver of his era didn’t have his fingers torn off. Start watching at 40seconds…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Y5Co1kZjQ
August 24th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Sean The BMW has those exhaust tips because like many development cars those allow or quick connection to vent exhaust gas when on a dyno which also explains the hooks. My guess is the powertrain is under development and this vehicle is placed on a dyno often as it is stil being tweeked.
August 24th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Open vs. Closed cockpit. This is a tough call. There are so many cons to the closed cockpit such as visibility, ventilation, extraction, and fire. I don’t think the current cars could have a canopy “scabbed” on. I think this would have to be involved in the design and engineering process. The accident that happened Sunday was a very freak thing and I’m not sure a Lexan windscreen would have prevented all of the injuries, but it might have deflected some of the impact. Watching the race, I was very respectful of NBC pulling the cameras back from the incident. My prayers go out the Justin Wilson and his family for a speedy recovery.
August 24th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Closed cockpit racing; I’m not so sure that fans care that much about being able to see the driver (which is really just the top half of their helmet). That Red Bull F1 car looks great!
I think the biggest concern will be the difficulty to get in and out quickly. Plus alcohol burns clear and being trapped inside a cockpit could suffocate a driver quickly.
August 24th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
I can’t figure out what great contribution to society racing makes which justifies the lethal risks of open cockpits. Like the spec cars dragging billboards around in circles isn’t anything more than marketing. Did you see the big crowd at Pocono? Me neither. These guys shouldn’t be risking their lives for so little.
And maybe the scoundrel scuderia, Ferrari, might want to reconsider its promotion of cigarette smoking. Probably not, they need the money too bad. Low lifes
August 24th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
@ #1 MLB – I found a rear seat DVD/BluRay to be a perfect “mute button” for my kids when they were the same age as your kids.
August 24th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Oops – MJB
August 24th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
I’m all for the safety of a closed cockpit. All you see now anyway is a helmet bobbing around in the car. A closed cockpit would also I believe help to reduce driver fatigue.
August 24th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the vehicles that the countries in the Middle East are buying; but it’s probably the usual suspects as they’re buying big SUVs, trucks and sports cars as it’s doubtful that they’re buying a Chevy Malibu or Cruze.
August 24th, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Sean,
Adding to an earlier comment from Rob.. The funny looking tail pipes are welded on to the the existing tail pipes as extensions out the rear of the vehicle for tail pipe emissions equipment connections. This is called a “Marmon flange” which a rubber gasket is placed and the same flange on the emissions equipment is then clamped on using a special vice-grip pliers. The hook is just that, it a tow hook supplied by the car manufacturer to pull the vehicle without tearing up the bumper cover (normally look for a little plug that covers the hole when hook is not being used!)
August 24th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
9.
Thank you, dear sir, for feeling my pain – haha
August 24th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
HtG; Racing as made so many contributions to the auto industry the list is too long to list. Regardless if its jumping a truck through the desert, Round track or the drag strip, so many parts like transmissions, brakes, suspension, turbos, superchargers, aerodynamics came from racing. Many of todays safety features can be attributed to racing. Do a quick google search.
Besides guys/gals will risk their lives to do something they love, maybe its racing, Mt climbing, sky diving etc and unless you have raced you may never understand.
August 24th, 2015 at 2:17 pm
15 Racing has largely outlived its usefulness. Carcos and their suppliers can develop new tech all on their own, thanks. In the past, racing made a contribution as you said, but now except for maybe the 24 Hours of Lemans, not so much. I’ve made the same arguments as you, Rob. No more. Real world development is coming from the computer industry. I want to see GM or Porsche make 7nanometer computer chips for a racing purpose. It’s just silly. Pirelli intentionally makes naff tires because F1 thinks it improves the show. But Pirelli has their own scientists and test facilities for rubber that’s going to be on the road. F1 is advertising. Etc etc etc.
Does racing want to contribute? Make a super lightweight structural material that is also cheap. Not this obscenely expensive carbon fiber. Hey, what’s that? BMW is making affordable carbon in the i3? Hey, somehow Sandy Munro missed that! How about McLaren make a self driving F1 car? I’d watch them try.
I’ll wait. In the meantime, no more head injuries.
August 24th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
I meant to write, ‘Sandy Munro missed the racing pedigree of BMW’s low cost carbon fiber!’ Which he didn’t
August 24th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
closed cockpits wouldn’t change my love of racing. if they could make the cars safer for the drivers,then go for it
August 24th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Racing continues to improve the breed. Honda, especially, uses it to develop new engineering talent. So do Audi, Ford,GM and others. There’s nothing like forcing an engineer to develop a fix by next week’s race, rather than by Job One three years from now. Racing is also an effective recruiting tool.
August 24th, 2015 at 3:56 pm
They still have car races? ;}>
August 24th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
If you can’t accept the possibility of dying in a race car, don’t get in one.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
If closed cockpits, or tall, thick Lexan windshields would make racing safer, it sounds good to me. The drivers still need to be able to see, though. Maybe racing could be used to help optimize forward facing cameras and monitors.
August 24th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
AA Fuel drag cars have been successfully using closed cockpits for a couple years now. They are at speed for less than 4 seconds. I think the biggest inhibitor to Indy going to closed cockpits is the problem of extracting the driver in case of an accident where the driver is unconcious. Cockpit heat and visibility are also serious issues. This “fix” may be more dangerous than the problem.
August 24th, 2015 at 6:17 pm
Perhaps F1 should visit with the folks behind the technologies used in unlimited hydroplane racing. They have used fighter-jet style cockpit covers for more than a decade, prompted by driver injuries. Very similar to auto racing and with many of the same risks. They may have some answers to the good points raised here.
Would love to know the cost of the technology installed on the stretch of 696 and 96 in Michigan. Cost per mile may restrict this technology to select areas in the future.
August 24th, 2015 at 6:31 pm
The mirror cameras on Indy cars showing the driver from the side and especially the steering action adds a lot to the enjoyment of the TV coverage. With that said, safety is paramount. It would seem like a thin longitudinal tapered fin could be added in front of the cockpit that could deflect debris and encroachment without interfering with the driver’s visibility and is another place to promote sponsors.
August 24th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Htg- yes racing has a purpose as Rob says, maybe sitting on your couch you can’t see them but there are many. The traction control on my motorcycle would be one. Developed in Super Bike and MotoGP racing, also the adaptive suspension.
Where exactly do you think they get the tire technology from?
August 24th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
25 Buzzerd, I think if you read my posts today you’ll see I did say racing developed some tech. And it’s a padded desk chair, not a couch, from which I hurl my thunderbolts.
August 24th, 2015 at 9:16 pm
I think it has added more than you give it credit for, at least from my chair, which could use a little more padding now that you mention it.
August 24th, 2015 at 9:40 pm
It was just announced on Indy TV stations that Justin Wilson has died. RIP.
August 24th, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Terrible. RIP
August 24th, 2015 at 10:05 pm
For me I’d close the cockpit. Open wheel does not mean open cockpit.
As to the interior business. I think the profits will shrink.
August 24th, 2015 at 10:29 pm
If you want to improve safety, enclose the wheels as well!
August 24th, 2015 at 10:41 pm
BMW with the strange exhaust pipes? May be it is the water injection they are developing. Wonder what that will do do the catalytic converter though.
August 25th, 2015 at 1:09 am
I don’t really care who does the interiors so long as the quality is there, but how about some new colors?!?! The F-150s were available with blue, green, red, and white a few years ago. Surely technology is available give us (a few) different colors!!
August 25th, 2015 at 1:09 am
I don’t really care who does the interiors so long as the quality is there, but how about some new colors?!?! The F-150s were available with blue, green, red, and white a few years ago. Surely technology is available give us (a few) different colors!!
August 25th, 2015 at 8:03 am
32, 33 Yeah, you had a choice of about 13 interior colors when my parents ordered a 1966 Dodge Coronet. They got gold. Now, you have to get a Rolls-Royce to have any choice other than black, grey, tan, and in a few cases, red.
August 25th, 2015 at 8:18 am
34.
Well there you have it, Kit.
You just identified the single separator in the age-old Premium vs. Luxury debate. The ability to have your interior in a color other than tan, black, gray or red (or burnt orange too in the case of Infiniti and Chevy/GM).
August 25th, 2015 at 8:34 am
I guess Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth were luxury brands in the 1960′s, when you could actually order a car equipped the way you wanted.
August 25th, 2015 at 8:36 am
36. Yep. We’re good for role-reversals every half-century or so. Happened with the donkeys and elephants too.