International Automotive Conference takes global view

The challenge of emerging global markets and the ever-growing pressure to cut industry carbon footprints were hot topics at the hugely successful ninth International Automotive Conference, held in Sunderland, UK from 13 to 15 November.

Industry leaders from across the automotive spectrum met in the City of Sunderland, home of the UK's massive Nissan manufacturing plant. Lively debates and seminars threw the spotlight on the many ways in which the automotive sector is changing and adopting new methods, while staying competitive and keeping on the right side of new legislation.

Senior representatives from top vehicle makers including Nissan, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Honda and Renault led revealing and informative sessions on how changes in the industry are shaping the development and manufacture of vehicles of the future.
Conference sessions were preceded on day one by a plant tour of auto-parts manufacturer TRW, a major sponsor of this year's event. This was followed by a trip to the Nissan site in the city, which is the most productive plant in Europe and employs about 4,400 people. Sponsored by Sunderland City Council, the annual IAC is a clear demonstration of how the region has become a leading automotive centre: more than 15,000 people employed in the motor manufacture supply chain.

Highlights of the conference included sessions setting out the clear implications of climate change and carbon footprints.
Julian Hetherington, Director, Manufacturing Business Office with Jaguar Cars and Land Rover, gave a clear warning about what faces the industry, but said those that act now will be in a good position to move forward.

He told delegates, "Carbon footprinting will impact us all very heavily over the next five to 10 years and the effects will start biting soon. We have to realise carbon will become a currency for the automotive industry as we look to reduce our footprint. It is not just about what comes out of the tailpipe, but the way in which carbon is created through the supply chain. As car businesses, we will ultimately be in competition with other sectors as they look to trade in offsetting carbon."

"We need to embrace energy saving and examine renewable energies across our plants. Carbon management culture needs to be adopted across the industry at every level. If we do not get it right, we will not be in business in the future."
The investment in research and development to counter the implications of the on-coming carbon economy gave a tantalising look to the future. Phil Barker, Executive Engineer, Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies with Lotus Engineering, set out the exciting potential of the fully electric and hybrid cars set to hit the market in the near future.
He revealed: "Fully electric cars will see the design book re-written. Vehicles with individual motors driving each wheel will open up creative possibilities in design terms."
"Not having to base a car design on having a heavy engine and a restrictive transmission system will see potential for bigger interior spaces, flat floors, exciting vehicle shapes and more individuality. The future of the automotive sector is very exciting and in the UK, we are in a position to be ahead of the game."

Emerging markets across the globe are creating new challenges for western vehicle makers and impacting on logistics. Geoff Smith, General Manager, Vehicle Pars Purchasing of Nissan Europe, highlighted the pressures and the potential for innovation and new thinking.

He said: "The challenge is to go from sketches and computer designs to production in just three years, with plants in emerging markets starting to achieve this. We are working towards cutting the time it takes to speed up development." "We have adopted cross-function thinking across the business. All functions work together to make the best decisions for the business as a whole. We have to recognise that there are other countries developing in the automotive sector who want to rightly enjoy our standard of living. They will work hard and we have to work hard to protect our businesses."

Conference sponsor Autodesk demonstrated just how technology is speeding up the development process with design software systems that can turn flat sketches into 3D visuals in minutes, not days.
Michael Jelinek, Senior Design Consultant with Autodesk, said: "It used to take a week to take sketches and flat plans into 3D. Once curve demonstrations for surface modelling are combined with sketches, the process can take seconds. Image studio visuals at the touch of a button!"

Automotive logistics is facing greater pressure with a need to balance low-cost country sourcing with the environmental pressures associated with the long-haul movement of parts.
Paul Dyer, Managing Director, Automotive UK, DHL EXEL Supply Chain, warned that the industry needs to embrace collaboration efforts to meet the growing pressures that will ultimately have cost benefits. DHL aims to be the catalyst to collaboration, bringing the industry together while not compromising competition. Dyer said, "There are still millions of unused truck miles that could be shared and used by the industry as a whole. Supply chain partners should be given a greater role and more trust by vehicle makers to manage the chain moving forward." "We are making moves to reduce our fuel carbon emissions in terms of introducing greener fuels and electric vehicles, but it is collaboration that is key. By coming together to use up spare capacity, manufacturers will enjoy shared cost benefits."
Developments in engineering technology and the evolution of design were hot topics too at this successful conference, attended by delegates from across Europe and the world.