Automobile Body Styles and Design

Automobile Body Styles

SUV's or Sports Utility Vehicles are often offered with four-wheel drive and are designed for both on and off-road use.  Some SUV's offer the passenger carrying capacity of a mini van or large sedan (6-7 people).

http://www.affordablerentacarandsales.com/suv-rental/

Coups are often the sportier variations of saloon cars, but instead of four doors they have two. Styles can vary for different manufacturers though, as some newer styles do have four doors. They are deigned for style and comfort.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/04/top-10-cheapest-coupes.html

Convertibles are cars with retractable roofs, and are typically made for warm climates. Most appeal to luxury car riders and performance car fans.

morguefile.com

Trucks are light-motor vehicles with open air storage compartments known as "beds".They are often available with two or four doors for the passenger compartments. 

http://www.bristoltruckrentals.com/vehicles/trucks/pickup-trucks/

Crossovers are a unique body type. With the height of a truck built on a a car like body, crossovers are typically less fuel consuming while still providing four-wheel drive. They are typically designed for light off-road riding

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/top-10/top-11-crossovers-and-suvs-with-the-best-highway-fuel-economy-for-2014.html

Automobile Design

Starting with the sketching phase, it typically takes three years to create and design a car. They call car designing problem solving because the designers have to design a car within an engineering restraints or criteria. They can't do whatever they want, they have to create something that is ascetically pleasing yet still meets that criteria. 

The feasibility stage is the largest part when it comes to designing a car. It is when they take the sketches that they really like, and evolve them into something that maintains the theme of those sketches, but then fits over top of the engineering car points. It is also where the most negotiation takes place, and everything (design, engineering and marketing) come together to get a car on the road. 

Although it definitely wouldn't be my first choice, or even in my top ten, car design would be an interesting job to have. It would be cool to create new designs and then have the public using them in their day to day life. I don't think I would ever seriously consider this as a career choice, but if it was the only job I could have, I wouldn't be completely disappointed. 

Careers and Certification in the Automotive Industry

Careers in the Automotive Industry

There have been a lot of  advancements in the automotive industry, especially recently. There are many high-tech systems on our vehicles today that were never heard of only 30 years ago. Some of these are stability and traction control systems, adaptive cruise control and variable valve timing.

For young people to have a career as an automotive technician, they should have some math, science, communication and technical skills. Some advantages of obtaining an education in this field is, unlike other hi-tech educational options, it only takes two years to become certified, leaving you with the chance to get out into the "real" world faster and less college debt. It also won't be very hard to find a job once you are out of school. It is expected that the automotive repair and maintenance industry will add over 237, 500 new jobs, and have a 30% growth rate right through until 2020. That makes technicians one of the top 20 jobs to have over the next decade, and with many other careers like computer programming, customer call center work and accounting services all going over seas, it is safe to say that the automotive repair and maintenance industry is immune to such moves, and not threatened like how many other career choices are today.

There are so many jobs and positions those who are certified as an automotive technician can look forward to. There is work in technical areas, there's the growing field of high-performance machining and building, there is collision repair and painting, there are also positions with high schools and community colleges plus so much more. You could even start your own business if nothing seems to work for you, or if you just enjoy the challenge. In fact, there are so many different career choices and opportunities, that the role as an automotive technician is seen as a sort of "portal career". So many people have started their careers in the automotive aftermarket, especially as an automotive technician, that it definitely deserves the title.

I think I actually wouldn't mind being an automotive technician. I have never been extremely enthusiastic about cars, but my father is a mechanic, which I know is not the same thing, but i don know a little bit about how they work. I think I would enjoy the challenge of being an automotive technician, and how it is almost always a learning experience. Everything you would do, every new problem you would face, you would learn form it, and that's what I think I would enjoy.

A couple things from the video that I found interesting was definitely the Hybrid. I have never really had the opportunity to see what they look like and how they run, and I never really thought about researching or bothered to looked into it. It was cool to see under the hood and how there is a rather large battery in the back. I also found the device they used to find the problems interesting. Although it's a little weird to think that a car is completely run by computers and electricity, it was interesting to watch them plug a handheld computer into the car and have it tell them what was wrong, instead of the tedious process of having to figure that out.

To be an automotive technician, you are committing to a life time of learning, which isn't that much different form any other job or life that you are going to live. As humans, we are always learning. Our brain is like a sponge that is continually picking things up, and especially as an automotive technician, this is necessary. With the continual advancements in the technological, mechanical and electrical worlds, you will be expected to know how to run and maintain the new products. That is why it is important to remember that you have to learn. Without that, you'll be left behind while the newly developed world keeps developing.

When considering a career as an automotive technician, I think it is very important to have patience and communication skills, along with the ability to decipher and locate problems to fix them. Math, English and some electrical/technological sciences would definitely be helpful as well.

Certification in the Automotive Industry

NATEF-  National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, it's primary focus is to improve the quality of automotive technician training programs nationwide at secondary, post-secondary, public and propriety schools.

SGS- Help you to manage your supply chain, provide safe and reliable vehicles, improve quality, efficiency and safety, and reduce environmental impact.

ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, it's primary focus is to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.

Jobs in the automotive Industry

Out of the top ten jobs in the automotive universe, I think I would like to be a car designer. Although I am not extremely artistically inclined, I think it would be fun. The job I would like the least is surprisingly enough the automotive journalist. Although I love to write, I am not that good at journalism and it's not something I fairly enjoy, especially if it would be primarily about cars.

Emerging Technologies and Automobiles

Technologies in Development

Out of the six developing technologies that I read about here, I think the Terrafugia and the T-FX  are the least likely to happen. They just seem impractical to me, and the thought of having cars flying above my head is a little unsettling. Will there be an age restriction on who can drive one of these cars, or can a 16 year old use one? Will there be a separate license to test for, will you have to know how to fly a plane or helicopter in order to fly one of these vehicles? I know that it is supposed to be autonomous, but things can happen. There can be glitches in the system or a malfunction where you have no choice but to switch it to manual, and then what? There are just too many variables, and I think it would cause more problems than the ones it seemingly will solve.

Out of the six though, they did have some interesting and kind-of-smart ideas, like what the article says under the "Next-Gen Active Safety Features.". Especially in Canada, the visibility, or the lack of, is not rare. The idea of being able to see through the storm and have your car tell you where objects and other vehicles and people on the road are, is incredibly cool and would be incredibly useful. It would be amazing if this technology was introduced into modern day cars, so I am more hoping than anything. I don't think this technology will be introduced soon, but I do think it will someday.

I think what Ford is working on will definitely make it's way into cars today, although to me, I don't think it will have a huge impact on the driver. Ford plans on integrating sensors into the steering wheel and seat belt of the driver, so the car can register the driver's breathing, heart, and stress levels. If the driver is under a lot of stress, the car will be able to ignore calls and other distractions to ensure the driver will get to their destination safely. Useful, yes, it will help the driver when (s)he is in these times of stress, but I don't think it will have a huge impact on the way we drive in our society, which is partly why I think it will be the first to appear.

Like I said above, the idea of a flying car does not appeal to me at all. I don't think there are many advantages to having a vehicle that can travel by both land and air. It seems impractical and unsafe, plus many airline companies may go out of business if families can fly wherever they want on their own. Not only do they not look appealing, (who wants to drive around in a car that looks like a wannabe plane with seemingly no wings?) but they would be extremely expensive to both buy and make, and I just don't see the point. Hardly anybody would be able to buy them, so you would have just a bunch of vehicles that no one is using. We already have enough regular cars that just sit in dealerships all day. If it can't travel through time, don't even bother. That's what I think.

The self driving car has been talked about for years, and I can see both sides of the moral argument, but I think I have to disagree with it. Yes, it would cause less accidents and people who don't enjoy driving would no longer have to deal with the stress of it, but I just don't trust the technology, and probably won't until it was proven to me how safe it is. Glitches and malfunctions can happen, the sensor can be damaged, and eventually we will forget how to drive. The where will we be?  Although I can't stop the developments from happening, I know for sure I would not be a customer.

Tech for the Sake of Tech?

It does not surprise me that younger people, typically aged 21-38, do not care about having smartphone connectivity options in their cars, but I do think our generation will. Although I find it almost annoying to have all of these gadgets, apps and unneeded options within arms length while you are behind the wheel, I think my fellow peers would love it. The idea of being uploaded, connected, and online all the time seems to appeal to most people my age, and the bare thought of going for a drive in a car without that is seemingly horrible. I personally don't see what the big deal of it all is, but that's just me, and I am just one person in a world of Cybermen continually looking to be upgraded.

Although some people think the fact that many drivers are not using the connectivity options suggest they are using their smartphones while driving, I have to disagree. Yes, there are some people who do use their phone while they are behind the wheel, which they really shouldn't do, but how is turning their car into their phone going to help that? If anything, I think it will only increase the risks of accidents and the urge to drive distractedly. All you are doing is taking away the reaching for your phone. You still have to look away from the road to hit a button, adjust and use the options and settings; it's just like a really fancy radio, which you still have to look away to use. The reason people are not using these options is because there is no need for them, and they are smart enough to know that without having to ask Siri first.

Although it is clear that not many people like to use all of these new technologies, they are still important to consider when purchasing a new automobile. Not only will they make the car more expensive, but how much of it are you actually going to use, and how much of it is going to get in the way or make it more difficult to actually drive? I know many people who bought a higher tech car than what they are used to, and they still aren't sure how to use it. When there are so many buttons and so many features, it can make driving the vehicle intimidating and cause the driver to be anxious, confused and worried. Why pay more for something that makes it more difficult to do something? Driving a car is simple, and it should be kept that way.

If I had to choose one technology to have in a car I wanted to purchase, I would pick Bluetooth, which in itself has been out for awhile, and the only reason would be for the music on my phone when there is nothing on the radio. I don't like being able to receive calls when I'm driving, and I also really don't like how it makes my voice sound. It makes people sound as if they are in a tunnel and it sucks.

Going back to the timeline, I think one thing that seemed unnecessary was the Energy Policy Act of 1992. I don't know how frequently we use this today, or if that's how all of our fuel is, but it encouraged alternative-fuel vehicles, which used a combination of fuels to run the automobile.

The History of the Automobile

Part One - Carl Benz

The automobile has been around for about 120 years, thanks to the work of Carl Benz. In January of 1886, Carl Benz obtained a patent for his invention. A patent is a copyright license, that allows inventors the rights to their invention for a limited period of time. This also allows them public disclosure of their invention as well. When Benz obtained this patent, he describes the automobile with the title "Benz Patent-Motorwagen". In the summer of 1888, Benz's wife drove to Portime (sp?)

with her two eldest sons, and the first Petrol Station is born. 

Benz made a lot of different models and designs of his great invention, each with newer upgrades as the years went by. One of his inventions for the automobile was the 'Axial Pivot Steering System", which allowed the driver to turn both front wheels simultaneously, solving the problem of not being able to turn two wheels at once. 

Three years before his death, Benz & Co. merges with another company, and they become Mercedes Benz. As a pioneer in technology, Benz got to experience something that many other pioneers did not get to; he lived to see and fulfill his dream. Without Benz, automotive road travel may never have been possible, or at least nowhere near as advanced as it is today.

Part Two - Henry Ford and the Model T

Henry Ford created the assembly line, but it wouldn't have been what it was without the suggestions from three of his employees, who suggested that the line move instead of the workers. The job that a person was best at would be the job they would do five thousand times a day, and the cars could be made faster and more efficiently because of it.  

Ford was also different in his ways of treating his employees. He wanted to make sure they were treated fairly in terms of wage, paying them a more livable salary. Therefore his employees were more committed to Ford's plant and company, and stayed longer as a result. 

The Model T was the car for the common man. It was manufactured for the middle class who couldn't have afforded the previous horse-less carriage. When the first Model came out, it costs about $1000, which dropped to about $800, which dropped to just roughly over $365. I think the price dropped so much because at this point, there were over 100 000 of his cars in completion. and when their is a large quantity of a product, the value drops. He would also have a lot of money coming in from all of the purchases, so there would be no need for a high price. 

As the automobile became more popular, it allowed people more freedom and the chance to travel for pleasure. You could visit family who lived farther away without the transportation of a train. You could go where you want when you wanted, and that is why the automobile has become one of the main means of transportation today.

My Video Selections

The Assembly Line: Then and Now

Before the assembly line, it took 16 hours and lot's of men running around with car parts to construct just one Model T Ford.
After the assembly line was created, it only took men half the time to create the same car.
This worked great, but the jobs were really repetitive, making the workers act like machines.
Today, machines do most of the repetitive work with the humans working alongside them.

Tucker's Dream Impacts Auto Industry

Tucker's dream, which was to create an automobile from scratch in the 1940's, was virtually impossible.
Tucker wanted to create a car based on safety, and attempted to make the safest car on the road.
He sold shares in his company, and he sold more of those than his own automobiles.
In result, only 51 were ever constructed.

Automobile Timeline

• 1901 - The Oldsmobile factory starts production. 

Starting in Detroit, the company makes 425 cars in it's first year, and introduces the first three-horsepower "curved dash" at $650. The car is a success, and the Olds company is selling 5 000 units a year by 1905. I found this really interesting because I think it's astounding how quickly the Oldsmobile company grew and prospered and became successful. I also really like the look of their cars, and had no idea they started as early as 1901.

• 1911 - Electric starter is introduced. 

Charles Kettering introduces the first electric starter. Until then, all motors had to be started by hand, and no one thought an electric starter could ever be made that would be small enough to fit under the hood and strong enough to start an engine. They were first in service in 1912 Cadillacs. I find this interesting because I like how Kettering proved everyone wrong, and how today, just the thought of people being concerned about the electric starter being too big to fit under the hood seems almost funny, considering all of the technological advancements we have made since then.

• 1919 - First single foot pedal to operate coupled four-wheel brakes

A french luxury car, the  Hispano-Suiza H6B, introduces the first single-foot pedal to operate coupled four-wheel brakes. Before this was invented, drivers had to use a foot brake and a hand brake simultaneously. I find this interesting because I can only imagine how dangerous driving a car before this would have been. If you didn't use both brakes at the same time, you wouldn't have come to a complete stop, which would have made accidents a lot more easier to happen.

• 1950's - Cruise control is developed.

Ralph Teeter, who is a blind man, sensed by ear that cars traveled at uneven speeds, which he believed caused accidents. Throughout the 1940's, he developed a mechanism that allowed the driver to keep the car at a steady speed. Although not very popular when it first made it's appearance in the 1950's, cruise control in on at least 70% of cars today. I find this really interesting because I find it amazing how a blind man created something that a lot of people use today, and he got the idea because he could hear the differences in the car's different speeds. I think that's incredible, and a lot of people are thankful for it and probably don't even realize that he was the one who created it.