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Zeroshift
Bill Martin, managing director of Zeroshift
What social/economic/technological trends do you think will
have the greatest impact on car design in 2018?
Socially the current exponential trend is environmental. In 2018 vehicles
that consume unnecessarily will be rare. At present, 4x4 vehicles and
SUV’s are being singled out. People movers are replacing these vehicles
but perhaps in 2018 they too will be fading as more couples elect not
to have children, causing an increase in vehicles with two seats. Economically,
the introduction of wholly-acceptable low cost cars will cause people
to question unnecessary expense and environmental impact of more expensive
models.
• What technologies will be key in 2018?
Efficiency and emissions reductions will cause electric cars to feature
more. Hopefully they will have a two speed Zeroshift transmission to provide
a soft start. Hybrids will also be very popular, again a powertrain type
that is well-suited to the Zeroshift transmission.
• How will your products and business sector develop?
Zeroshift’s transmission system will feature strongly as it is the
most efficient automatic gearbox available. I don’t see any other
system currently in development that will be able to compete. In order
to cater for supply in such volumes Zeroshift Ltd is in license negotiations
with existing manufacturers.
• Where do you see the big opportunities?
Cost down engineering is very popular. Anyone developing technologies
that reduce costs will be more likely to succeed. In spite of the many
benefits offered by Zeroshift technology it is cost that gets peoples
attention most.
• What skills/specialisms will you need from engineers in
2018?
In 2018 we will have a mature technology in high volume production.
We will be implementing incremental improvements and cost down in parts
design, sourcing, supply chain and production processes.
Index
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January 2008
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