Engine Expo North America - The Review

Following 13 years of success in Europe, Engine Expo expanded this year to include an event in North America.

Engine Expo 2011 North America opened in Novi, Michigan, on October 25, attracting over 1,000 visitors, including many high-profile decision makers from the local ‘Big Three’ (Ford, GM, and Chrysler). Attendees were able to see first-hand the latest technologies to help them meet growing demands for lower CO2 emissions and greater fuel economy, as well as other factors such as greater power and durability.

The international range of exhibitors covered everything from engine components, to materials and manufacturing technologies. One particularly interesting exhibitor was Controlled Power Technologies, which was using the expo not just as a sales platform, but also as a research tool. The British company is an expert in powertrain, power electronics, and control software for low carbon powertrain-related products, and also develops and manufactures a range of technologies such as electronically controlled superchargers, stop-start systems, and exhaust energy recovery systems. All these systems use switched reluctance electric motor technology for micro-hybrid vehicle functionality.

The company has enjoyed success in Europe, but is keen to strengthen its position in the US market. However, to do so it must commit to an appropriate strategy for North America. Nick Pascoe, CEO of the company, stated, “The reason we are here is that we came to the US a couple of years ago to visit OEMs and were redirected back to their European subsidiaries because they were still only thinking about hybridization. They’ve done some big, bold projects in the US, but not so many mass-market projects. What we want to understand is if they’re staying at 12V, or pursuing a high-voltage hybrid strategy, and what their feeling is of a modular strategy rather than a complete redesign of the powertrain.

So we’re finding out if now is the right time for us to create some more strategic alliances out here. We would create these alliances through Visteon and Emerson, both US corporations that played a role in our original technology. After the show we’ll decide if we should be doing more out here [in the USA], and how we might be doing more.” Controlled Power Technologies was among many exhibitors who had exciting news for visitors at the event, in the form of new investments, products, or capabilities. Another major automotive supplier that had a busy booth at Engine Expo North America was Ionbond, a provider of DLC coatings in Europe, which has recently started activities for automotive components in its high-volume manufacturing site in Greensboro, South Carolina, a fact the company was keen to promote at the expo. “Following the worldwide trend for higher efficiency engines, US manufacturers have also started to employ low-friction coatings. We are here to support the industry with our technology and the know-how we have gained in the automotive world in Europe for the last 10 years,” stated Marc van der Sommen, product manager worldwide for automotive components at Ionbond. The Greensboro site is currently ramping up its capacities on contracts with manufacturers to supply coatings on various parts of the engine and the injection systems.

A further draw was that visitors could also enjoy the sister events in the Suburban Collection Showplace venue in Novi, Michigan, namely the Electric and Hybrid Pavilion, Automotive Testing Expo North America, and The Battery Show. Don't miss out on the 2012 event, which the show's organizer is predicting will attract over 1,000 visitors, with the usual strong attendance from Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Details of Engine Expo North America 2012 will be released shortly.