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Ford, GM still doing new business with Takata amidst airbag crisis

Lengthy vehicle development times make it difficult for automakers to cut and run from the supplier. You might expect automakers to be fleeing any connection with beleaguered supplier Takata in the wake of the company's exploding airbag inflator crisis. After all, with a Senate hearing, pending lawsuit, plummeting stock value and demand for a national recall, the tier-one supplier isn't at its strongest right now. However, years of cooperation mean that automakers are standing by Takata, and necessity may be playing a role, as well. About 39 percent of Takata's business comes from airbags, and seatbelts make up another significant chunk of the operation too, says Bloomberg. The long-term relationships and lengthy vehicle development times make it difficult for automakers to cut and run from the supplier. "Takata has so much product breadth that I don't really see that they could just disappear," said AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan to Bloomberg. For example, Takata helped develop the unique front center airbag with General Motors in models like the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. Outside of safety tech, it is also a partner with Ford on the adaptive steering system available on the upcoming 2015 Edge. These long-lasting partnerships make change difficult now that there's a problem. According to Reuters, automakers claim it would take a year or longer to set up with a different supplier for replacement airbag inflators. Switching to a completely different part for the repairs might not be a viable option either, because of the engineering time needed. BMW is taking action, though. According to Reuters, the Bavarian brand is working with the supplier to move inflator production from Monclova, Mexico, to a Takata factory in Freiburg, Germany. The Mexican plant may be the source of some of the faulty parts. News Source: Bloomberg, ReutersImage Credit: Jens Meyer / AP Photo BMW Ford GM Safety Takata airbag recall

BMW, Nissan eye Formula E entry

BMW has been involved with the all-electric Formula E racing series since the beginning. It provides the safety car in the form of the eye-catching i8, with the i3 performing medical car duties. BMW's i division even sponsored the 2016 Berlin ePrix. Nissan has also been involved with Formula E – though more tangentially so – as its French partner Renault has provided the car each team used for the first season, and sponsors its own team as well (which won the Teams' Championship both seasons so far). Now that more automakers are joining the field (notably including Jaguar's return to open-wheel racing), BMW and Nissan are reportedly considering getting in the mix to try to win some races, too. Multiple sources tell Autosport that both automakers are looking into being on the grid as early as the 2016/2017 season. Since the series already has its ten teams confirmed for the third season, Nissan and BMW would have to join an existing team for the time being, which is what Autosport's sources are saying is being discussed. Nissan refers to its consideration as a "fact-finding" mission. BMW had said earlier that it wouldn't compete as long as mid-race car swaps were part of the practice. Formula E is looking to move toward a single car format as early as the 2018/2019 season, which could make BMW's direct involvement more palatable to the automaker. As for Nissan, it would have to garner approval from the Renault-Nissan Alliance to compete against its sister company in the same racing category. Either way, it's unlikely that either manufacturer would be able to provide powertrain technology should they join teams for the upcoming season. Still, both Nissan and BMW have made strong commitments to consumer electric vehicles. To be directly involved in the competition would not only be a great way to showcase their prowess in the world of electric motoring, it could also help to bring more attention to Formula E. Related Video: Related Gallery Jaguar Formula E News Source: Autosport via Inside EVsImage Credit: Formula E Green Motorsports BMW Nissan Green Automakers Electric Racing Vehicles Formula E electric racing

BMW 1 Series prototype packs direct water injection

Just a few months ago, BMW showcased an M4 that was modified to serve as the safety car for the MotoGP racing series. The flashing lights and emergency equipment, however, weren't the only modifications BMW made to the performance coupe. It also packed an innovative new water injection system. And now it's furthering the development of that system by running it in a 1 Series hatchback as well. Revealed at the BMW Group Innovation Days 2015 event, this five-door 1 Series packs a three-cylinder gasoline engine – like the one found in a Mini or i8 – but fitted with the direct water injection system. In this application, the system sprays a fine mist of water – yep, regular old H2O – right into the combustion chamber. While mixing water with gasoline normally wouldn't be recommended, in this case it evaporates immediately and helps cool the engine from the inside, allowing it to run at higher efficiency. That cooler running engine brings with it several benefits. It delivers improved fuel economy and lower emissions, to start. It also allows for an earlier ignition point, higher compression ratio, and higher boost pressure in turbocharged engines, delivering increased output. It even cuts down on engine knocking (where combustion occurs spontaneously), reduces wear and tear on the engine, and makes better use of lower octane levels. If that sounds like a win-win-win... win (we're losing count of all the wins here), it's because BMW just may be on to something. Of course it does require a water tank to be fitted on board, which means added weight, but instead of requiring the driver fill up the water tank, BMW has fitted this prototype with a system that replenishes the water level from the air conditioning system when the vehicle is switched off. So unless it's being driven in a particularly extreme climate, it doesn't even need topping up. Add one more "win" to the list, then. Extra power, improved real-world fuel economy: Direct water injection enhances efficiency. With direct water injection for turbocharged petrol engines, the BMW Group has again succeeded in enhancing the capabilities of conventional engine technology through an ongoing process of refinement and improvement. The precisely controlled injection of water into the engine cylinders produces a cooling effect that boosts power and torque, particularly when operating at or near full throttle, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions.