Comments on: Metabo Mania Hits Japanese Automakers

By: gcorley

gcorley — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:59:18 +0000

Firstly, please note that the Prius weight reductions are quoted, in the original article, as being compared with the “1st generation” Prius (not current).

The current Prius is the “2nd generation” – perhaps someone knows what weight reductions there were already between the 1st & 2nd generations?

Secondly, I work in the electric motor industry and I would be very surprised if you could produce a motor with the same power for only 1/6 of the weight!

The latest weight optimization developments in electric motors are mostly related to the magnets, which can be significantly reduced in size & weight when going from ferrite to neodymium. However, this would not result in a 5/6 reduction. The rest of the motor is made primarily from steel laminations & copper windings, which are needed to produce the necessary torque/power.

By: durailer

durailer — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:09:53 +0000

Hmmm… I guess domestic carowners will have to trim off their own waistlines to reduce fuel costs…

By: Nicodemus

Nicodemus — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:15:19 +0000

“Mazda wants to pare 220 lbs. from each of its new models.”

RX8 Model Year 2006 – 1337 KG
RX8 Model Year 2008 – 1374 KG

Hmmm….

By: Steve-O

Steve-O — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:04:35 +0000

Ford’s effort is to use ‘Nano coatings” to reduce vehicle weight:

http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news4.18.08a.html

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:59:32 +0000

To Ford’s credit, they did announce plans to reduce vehicle curb weights along with using the twin-force engines in their plans to reduce consumption.

By: AKM

AKM — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:49:07 +0000

Lighter cars? Count me in!

By: Robert Farago

Robert Farago — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:12:35 +0000

KixStart:

I don’t [sub] to AN. Any mention of Detroit’s plans to “add lightness?”

No.

By: KixStart

KixStart — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:08:33 +0000

“For example, the next Prius’ electric motor will be one-sixth as heavy as the current powerplant; the batteries will weigh half as much.”

Seriously? That is awesome.

I don’t [sub] to AN. Any mention of Detroit’s plans to “add lightness?”

By: seoultrain

seoultrain — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:46:53 +0000

I'm looking forward to what Mazda can do. 220 lbs down for the next Mazda3? count me in.

Edit: what happened to the comment above mine? Erasing evidence of typos, are we?