Q2 2010 - Automotive Industries

AI: What processes do you employ for testing and validation?
Quinn: There are two proof points for durability: lab testing and
on-road experience. Both take time. Remy has one of the industry’s
largest durability labs, with multiple electric dynamometers used for
combined environmental, electrical, vibration and durability testing.
Remy motors have over 800,000 equivalent miles of stress testing
with no failure. We have set several test standards for in-process
quality assurance to make sure we have every part capable of
maximum life, and we work with our customers to ensure the
Remy motor is fully validated for their application. Additionally, after
nearly 10 years of various production programs and thousands of
vehicles in service, Remy’s latest designs are leading the way on
reliability – with a warranty return rate below 0.01%. These motors
have logged over a billion miles of real-world use.
AI: What applications can a Remy motor be used in?
Quinn: Any type of vehicle and some industrial applications.
Remy has been amazed at the benefits of using HVH motors to
save fuel, reduce emissions and improve performance in a variety
of applications including boats, forestry equipment, construction,
agricultural machinery, military vehicles, motorcycles, highperformance
and race cars.
AI: How is Remy positioned to meet the growing demand
for powerful, reliable, and economical hybrid motors?
Quinn: Remy has seven years experience in the electric
propulsion motor segment. We have existing production capacity
of 100,000 units and plans to double that. Remy has invested
years in developing a proven supply chain and stable, efficient
production processes for quality and Six Sigma consistency.
Because our motors already have been lab-tested and roadproven,
Remy brings knowledge and experience to our customers
“ Remy has been amazed at the benefits
of using HVH motors to save fuel, reduce
emissions and improve performance in
a variety of applications including boats,
forestry equipment, construction, agricultural
machinery, military vehicles, motorcycles,
high-performance and race cars.
”
Remy’s compact, high power and
torque density HVH 250 electric
propulsion motor.
to address their engineering questions and accelerate the rampup
to production.
AI: What motor advancements can be expected of Remy
in the future?
Quinn: We are working on a number of different motor and
electronics cooling approaches for performance, cost and reliability
improvement. There are several unique items in magnetics, winding
and packaging that continue to create more value and customer
excitement. And we’re finalizing development of a larger electric
motor for more demanding applications.
AI: Do you have any plans to expand?
Quinn: We have plans to expand in several directions. First:
Product. We are working on the next evolution of our HVH 250
platform and will launch an HVH 410 version for vehicles needing
more power; Second: Applications. We are working with clients on
some new and interesting applications for powerful motorcycles
to large agricultural and construction equipment to various DOD
vehicles; Third: Capacity. We have plans to double our production
capacity; Fourth: Geography. We are exploring operating and sales
options for Remy electric propulsion motors in Southeast Asia.
AI: How does a DOE grant affect Remy’s plan to support
these markets.
Quinn: The DOE grant awarded to Remy in December 2009
was intended to help Remy accelerate commercialization of the HVH
electric motor technology and put U.S. manufacturers on a level
playing field with the rest of the world in terms of government support
of clean technology. The DOE grant awarded to Remy is starting to
provide capital and to assist with human resource investments as
we continue producing our full line of standard electric motors. This
investment will help us double production capacity, for example. AI
“ Remy’s latest designs are leading the way on reliability –
with a warranty return rate below 0.01%. These motors have
logged over a billion miles of real-world use. ”
Automotive Industries 19