Component/ Module manager Team manager/ Sub-project manager 1 1 F O C U S LARGE MARKET VOLUME THROUGH VARIANT DEVELOPMENT Particularly the growing number of vehicle variants has led to a sharp rise in the demand for base powertrain derivative development. “These derivative developments are the result of a fundamental trend, in which AVL has repeatedly been deeply involved due to its extensive technical expertise,” Helfried Sorger said. Despite good methodological approaches on the part of the OEM – e.g. platform strategy, modular system, etc. – it is not always possible to make adjustments to the new application through calibration alone. Apart from that, more and more OEMs have decided to introduce common drive-system families for reasons of volume and cost. That is why modifications have to be made to modules and components, in other words, it has become necessary to “tailor” powertrain elements to fit the respective application. An example of this is the use of a passenger-car engine in a light-duty commercial vehicle. “With this type of vehicle, the load profiles are much higher than they’d be with a passenger car. The same is true for the demands on durability. That’s why the entire powertrain is NEW CUSTOMER COLLABORATION MODEL Due to AVL’s new role of taking full responsibility for the series development of powertrain elements for OEMs, AVL now also provides the chief engineer, the technical project managers and those in charge of components and modules that form an interface to the OEM as well as to the AVL project team and suppliers. So, technically, AVL reflects the organizational structure at the individual OEMs in the key roles of series development. “The chief engineer at AVL assumes full technical responsibility for the project and updates the OEM continuously. The OEM primarily has a steering function and ultimately gives the final series approval,” Helfried Sorger added, outlining the new customer collaboration model. Conducting turn-key projects entails a comprehensive extension of AVL’s development capacities, both in terms of staff and infrastructure. “We’re already very well positioned and are continuously expanding our staff capacities and the technical infrastructure available close to our customers. Besides having excellent technical expertise, the employees that fill these key positions are distinguished essentially by having an in-depth understanding of processes and exceptional organizational talent, as well as communication skills. Another significant factor that makes AVL virtually predestined for conducting turn-key developments are the tight networking links between the colleagues on site and the AVL experts at the Graz headquarters, which ensures high technical standards at all locations,” the Head of Base Powertrain Development explained. Chief engineer/ Project manager Chief engineer / Project manager Sub-project manager Component / Module manager Overall responsibility & Steering Implementation Implementation OEM AVL > In its new role AVL reflects the organization structure at the OEMs in the key roles of series development.
focus_2014_1_E_Web
To see the actual publication please follow the link above