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FEV Powertrain Innovation Forum Challenges Current Thinking about Today's and Tomorrow's Technologies at SAE World Congress


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AUBURN HILLS, MI--March 21, 2011: FEV, Inc. (FEV) today announced the final presentation schedule for the FEV Powertrain Innovation Forum at the 2011 SAE World Congress, to be held April 12 -- 14, 2011 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich. The Forum will explore advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies and the application of those technologies in today's and tomorrow's automotive market. Sessions will include:

  • New Transmission Technologies that Could Change the Face of Powertrain Performance
  • Charging Forward Toward 2017: The Powertrains That Will Get Us There
  • The Top 5 Electrification Technologies for 2011: Will They Electrify the Automotive Industry as We Know it Today?
  • It's Homegrown, It's Green and it's Available Right Now: Has CNG's Time Finally Come?
  • 21st Century Off-Roading: New Technologies for an Evolving Sport

Hours for the Powertrain Innovation Forum are:

  • Tuesday, April 12: 10 am - 3 pm
  • Wednesday, April 13: 9:45 am - 3 pm
  • Thursday, April 14: 9:45 am - 11:45 am

"The Powertrain Innovation Forum is designed to generate debate and foster new ideas concerning 'hot' topics in our industry as well as the technologies that will address these needs and have an impact on vehicle propulsion," said Gary Rogers, FEV president and CEO, and moderator of the "Charging Forward..." panel. "We have assembled some of the brightest minds in the industry to present opinions on these topics.  We hope that attendees will leave with a better understanding of both the issues and the potential solutions that can help us meet the challenges of the future."

FEV worked closely with SAE and this year's World Congress corporate sponsor General Motors in developing a program that is both timely and provocative, according to Robert Last, FEV vice president of operations and communications.

"It's an exciting time to be working in this industry," said Last. "We are seeing a global shift toward viable new technologies that could reduce our dependence on petroleum.  At the same time, major advancements are being made in conventional technologies to make them greener and more efficient.  Our goal is to plant the seeds of innovation, to develop ideas about how to create new solutions, how to improve what we currently have, and how to leverage these technology advancements into new markets and products that will help to improve our world."

Last and SAE have assembled panels composed of leading thinkers in the industry, including powertrain directors from domestic and off shore automakers, and specialists in the areas of transmissions, fuels, environmental issues, and vehicle electrification. Several FEV executives will serve as moderators and panelists, including Rogers, Dean Tomazic, VP of FEV's engine performance and emissions division, and Kiran Govindswamy, chief engineer, Vehicle and Driveline Development.

Details of the FEV Powertrain Innovation Forum schedule include:

Tuesday, 10:00 am - 12 noon - New Transmission Technologies that Could Change the Face of Powertrain Performance

Transmission experts on the panel will discuss new development trends, control and calibration strategies as well as provide a glimpse into the future for these new design trends.


Tuesday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Charging Forward Toward 2017: The Powertrains That Will Get Us There

The panel will outline technologies and strategies that will allow manufacturers to attain required CO2 and CAFE numbers, including GDI, Downsizing with boosting, low temperature combustion, variable valve timing, and more.


Wednesday, 9:45 am - 11:45 am - The Top 5 Electrification Technologies for 2011: Will They Electrify the Automotive Industry as We Know it Today?

This panel will explore the top five emerging technologies / developments in this field, including EV control concepts, battery energy density and chemistries, and Smart Grid interface.


Wednesday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - It's Homegrown, It's Green and it's Available Right Now: Has CNG's Time Finally Come?

The panel will discuss the challenges associated with elevating CNG as a mainstream transportation fuel, new technologies that may enable broader CNG market penetration and the approaches being taken by both industry and government to overcome the challenges.


Thursday, 9:45 am - 11:45 am - 21st Century Off-Roading: New Technologies for an Evolving Sport

This session will examine the role that emerging technologies will play in the of-road segment and discussion about what off-road customers look for in the products they buy and how the industry is responding to those demands.



About FEV

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry.  FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards.  The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment.  The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents.  FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.