Mentor Blogs

One telling sign of the automotive electrical and electronics industry slowdown last year was a steep drop in marketing efforts by component, software and system suppliers. Companies that sponsored major events for customers and press or were otherwise highly visible two years ago had relatively little to say in 2009. That didn’t mean the companies were idle, of course; only that corporate belts needed … Read More

The Hansen Report on Automotive Eelctronics, Silicon Valley, Wrightspeed, Hyatt Dearborn, Ian Wright, Chrysler, Mentor Graphics, Paul Hansen, Integrated Electrical Solutions Forum (IESF), John Antilla

Remember a year or so ago when GM and Chrysler were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and debate raged – as it still does – over federal involvement in the filings? Would either have survived without the government’s help, or would they have been liquidated? And if one or both had ceased to exist, where would the automotive industry (not to mention the U.S. economy) be now? How many suppliers would … Read More

GM, Honda, Airbag Recall, Toyota, Chrysler

Since the auto industry entered crisis mode a year or so ago, I’ve often thought about the horrid and simplistic perception of the industry in the public mind – “stupid” and “greedy” people who only make “gas guzzlers” – in contrast with the very different perception I’ve gained from reporting on automotive electrical and electronic technology. The auto industry employs some very smart people who are … Read More

Chrysler, GM, "Crash Course", United Auto Workers, Wall Street Journal, Greek Tragedy, Paul Ingrassia

I was leafing through a national magazine recently and noticed a two-page ad for the Ford Taurus. I stopped to read the copy, and was pleased to see radar-based active safety features among the vehicle’s options – right up there with SYNC hands-free communications, a 12-speaker audio system, and several other enticements. I subsequently learned that Ford offers active safety - adaptive cruise control … Read More

Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKT, Sony, Chrysler, Chrysler Town & Country, Blind Spot Monitoring, SYNC, Lincoln MKS, Taurus, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ford