Technical 19 www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 2025 Auto sector reaches technical crossroads Tom Cash, director of automation parts supplier Foxmere, on how manufacturers can bridge the gap between current capabilities and technological advancements Not long ago, the automotive industry was criticised for its slow adoption of new technologies. While 81% of automotive decision-makers said they could better meet business objectives if their organisations made more investments in technology, 78% admitted that their organisations struggled to keep up with the speed of technological innovation. Globally, auto sales for 2024 were projected to grow modestly compared to 2023. Despite a slower growth rate, sales volumes are expected to exceed 92 million units and mark the highest figures since 2018 — a recent report revealed. This optimistic forecast reflected an ongoing recovery in the automotive market following previous downturns, caused by supply chain issues and changing consumer preferences. However, vehicle production is anticipated to decline slightly as manufacturers work through a faster-than-expected inventory restocking process. This adjustment reflects a response to changing market dynamics and the industry’s ongoing struggle to embrace the technological advancements needed for growth. Although the industry is catching up, significant challenges remain. For instance, advancements in autonomous vehicle tech have been slower than anticipated, with timelines for widespread adoption pushed back by two to three years. Plus, the auto industry is experiencing a significant stall in innovation, largely due to its reliance on legacy technologies like process nodes which are used to create semiconductor devices, particularly integrated circuits (ICs). As semiconductor technology has advanced, manufacturers have continually developed smaller process nodes in line with Moore’s Law, which suggests that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years. However, many modern vehicles still use outdated analogue-based components, some of which date back to PC chips from as far as 2005. Yet many modern vehicles feature autonomous driving functions and enhanced infotainment systems, which require advanced computing and more powerful and efficient semiconductor chips. As the supply of these older components diminishes, manufacturers face increasing lead times and shortages. Research indicates that there could be a supply deficit of nearly 30% for ICs built on legacy nodes compared to current demand, with this shortage potentially extending through 2026. But it’s not all doom and gloom in the sector. The industry is adapting to many of the innovations that AI is bringing to the table. In design, automotive engineers and designers are benefitting from a range of AI-powered tools, many from Autodesk AI. For example, Fusion’s generative design platform can quickly generate thousands of manufacturingready designs based on preset parameters. AI tools can also automate tasks like transforming 3D models into precise 2D drawings and create toolpaths using CloudNC CAM Assist.
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