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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OR LOW VOLTAGE: Both Can Create Intermittent Electrical Challenges
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By Counterman
Advanced low-voltage battery solutions provider
link hidden, please login to view, announced a strategic investment in Altris, a pioneer in sustainable sodium-ion battery technology, with the aim of manufacturing low-voltage, sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries for the automotive sector.
link hidden, please login to view expects its investment to initially enable Altris to finalize and start pilot production of Na-ion automotive batteries, followed by commercial production beginning in 2026. This equity stake builds on a joint development agreement (JDA) between Clarios, producer of one in three of the world’s low-voltage car batteries, and Altris, a leader in sodium-ion cathode material and battery cell technology, focused on low-voltage Na-ion batteries, according to a news release announcing the strategic investment.
Clarios said it will leverage its expertise in Battery Management Systems (BMS), software and system integration to design the Na-ion low-voltage automotive battery system to optimize battery performance.
Altris, on the other hand, will focus on developing the sodium-ion cell technology for this low-voltage application. Every vehicle, including hybrid electric and fully electric vehicles, requires a low-voltage energy source to power an increased number of software-based functions such as steer-by-wire, break-by-wire, autonomous functions, and enhanced in cabin experiences.
The Clarios low-voltage system architecture, comprising multiple networks and battery power sources, is essential for powering critical safety features and ensuring redundancy in vehicle electrical systems, the company said. Sodium-ion batteries are well suited to meet these increased power demands. At the same time, they are inherently sustainable and easy to recycle.
“A sodium-ion battery solution perfectly complements our chemistry-agnostic portfolio, neatly dovetailing with lithium-ion and lead-acid options to capture the best attributes of both: high performance and lower cost,” said Federico Morales-Zimmermann vice president and general manager, global OEM customers and technology at Clarios. “A sodium-ion battery system provides agility for automakers seeking options in meeting intensifying low-voltage demands created by advanced vehicle technologies.”
The materials used to produce sodium-ion cells – salt, wood, iron and those found in air – are abundant globally and are free from harmful chemicals or minerals mined in conflict zones. Developing Na-ion batteries for vehicles would represent an important advancement in automotive battery technology, while advancing the auto industry’s circularity goals, Clarios said.
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By Counterman
“Humans think AI is going to replace them,” says Mike Mohler, executive vice president and chief purchasing officer with the Automotive Parts Service Group.
“It won’t. Somebody using AI to be better than you will replace you.”
The integration of artificial intelligence in the aftermarket is more advanced than many people might realize, according to Mohler. It’s already yielding impressive results for those who are using it effectively. The primary challenge is not just the availability of data, but the effective use of that data to drive actionable insights and decisions. Mohler cites a report from Accenture showing that AI-driven price optimization can result in a 5% increase in gross margin and a 15% boost in revenue.
“You look at some of our competitors, and they’re able to post comparatively outrageous profit margins,” says Mohler. “They’re using AI for logistical prowess. They’re using it for customer service. They’re using it to get the right pricing in play.”
The ability to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data analysis is a major advantage of AI. Data scientists in the aftermarket industry are increasingly using the technology to turn large sets of data into actionable insights. This includes identifying market trends, customer preferences and operational inefficiencies. The application of AI in this area can lead to better strategic planning and improved business outcomes. Mohler says those applications can have a significant impact on profitability.
“Let’s say the average WD would have a 25-45% gross profit margin, given their business model. Some competitors are posting 58%. AI is going to be the tool to help them catch up. We’ve got to get to 53% minimum, I think. That’s a rarefied position, but it’s been tested by some of the smartest people that I know, and it should be achievable when we’re planning and we’re hoping that it is,” Mohler explains.
A Customer Experience Revolution
AI’s application extends to customer service as well. Chatbots and virtual assistants are now commonplace, offering customers quick and efficient service. These AI-driven tools have evolved to the point where they can engage in conversations that are increasingly indistinguishable from human interaction.
“I wonder how many people know that they’re talking to a chatbot when they’re talking to a chatbot?,” asks Mohler.
Navigating the Risks
Despite its advantages, AI’s integration into the aftermarket raises several concerns. Cybersecurity is one of them, as increased reliance on data systems introduces new vulnerabilities.
“We have employees with access to the internet at a thumb’s notice, and if we’re not careful, they can mistakenly click on something that could disrupt our business for months,” Mohler explains.
Mohler also expresses concerns about protecting intellectual property. Misuse of data or inadequate protection against competitive eavesdropping could undermine trust and impact the industry’s integrity.
“Once the data hits the public domain, how do we protect it and how do we make sure that it’s not being used against us? How do we know that we’re not enabling our competitor who’s able to electronically eavesdrop on one another like never before?,” asks Mohler.
Envisioning AI’s Next Steps
Mohler stresses that AI’s influence on the aftermarket is only in its infancy. Over the next 5-10 years, he envisions an advancement from a basic understanding of AI as an algorithmic tool to more specialized applications tailored to industry-specific needs.
“So my thought would be that companies would have their own internalized GPTs and industries would have their own internalized GPTs. My hope is also that we will become as skilled at selling to disembodied customers via e-commerce as we are at selling to them when they’re across the counter from us or in our stores,” Mohler says.
Mohler references the seven stages of AI when looking ahead to the technology’s impact on the aftermarket.
“When it comes to supply chain, when it comes to logistically moving products around, when it comes to optimizing sale price, optimizing customer service, my hope is that we will be a little closer to stage seven. Right now, we’re really at stage one and a half, maybe two,” says Mohler.
As the technology evolves, moving beyond its current capabilities, AI’s exact impact on the aftermarket, and countless other industries, will be even more profound. Companies that invest in AI and adapt to its changes will be well-positioned to thrive in the future of the automotive aftermarket.
“It’s incumbent upon us to understand AI and to become data scientists ourselves, because everybody’s got access to the data. Whoever can use the most disparate sources for the best outcomes is going to win in my overall view of it,” says Mohler.
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By CALEPH Auto Parts
Steps to clean your car's air filter:
1. Find the location of the air filter: It is usually located in the engine compartment, near the side of the engine.
2. Make sure the engine is cool: Before checking or cleaning the air filter, make sure the engine has cooled down completely to avoid burns.
3. Open the hood: Find and open the hood so that you can access the air filter.
3. Locate the air filter box: The air filter is usually located in a black plastic or metal box.
4. Remove the air filter box: Unscrew or unfasten the screws or clips that secure the air filter box.
5. Remove the old filter: Remove the old air filter from the box, being careful not to damage the filter box.
6. Check the condition of the filter: If there is only a small amount of dust on the filter, you can clean it. If the filter is already very dirty or damaged, it is recommended to replace it.
7. Clean the filter: If you decide to clean the filter, you can blow it from the inside out with compressed air to remove dust. Do not use water or liquid cleaners as they may damage the filter.
8. Check the integrity of the filter: After cleaning, check the filter for tears or holes that may affect its performance.
9. Reinstall the filter: If the filter is in good condition, put it back into the filter box and make sure it is properly seated.
10. Reinstall the filter box: Replace the filter box cover, making sure all screws and clips are secure.
11. Close the hood: After cleaning or replacing, close the hood.
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By Mighty Auto Parts
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. The vehicle received a full service including an oil and filter change. The system was leak checked and the engine 43ehad good oil pressure. Two days later, the customer calls reporting a loss of oil pressure symptom. Mechanic A says…a defective oil filter is the cause of the loss of oil pressure. Mechanic B says…a […]
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