1. 2015 Wards/DuPont Engineering Survey
Engineering Survey Results
2015 Wards/DuPont Engineering Survey
Five years of surveys, 700 to 1,300 from auto engineering and design community respond each year.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

2. Broad Sample of titles Engineering Survey Results
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

3. Great Insights From the Trenches
Engineering Survey Results
Great Insights From the Trenches
2012 survey gave early tipoff that 2025 CAFE standards were not as draconian as first believed.
2014 survey revealed stronger industry shift to lightweight materials.
2015 survey tells us 2025 CAFE standards unlikely to be relaxed following midterm review.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

4. Tougher 2025 CAFE Rules Likely
Engineering Survey Results
Tougher 2025 CAFE Rules Likely
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

5. Engineering Survey Results
Revelations From 2012 vs. 2011
2011 survey conducted before proposed fleet average of 56.2 mpg by 2025 was negotiated down to target of 54.5 mpg.
Respondents reacted like most of the auto industry.
“Consumers don’t understand what this will cost, and environmental groups don’t care,” is typical comment.
“Aerodynamic blobs on the way,” another quips.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

6. Engineering Survey Results
Revelations from 2012 vs. 2011
“Regardless of what the Union of Concerned Scientists says, it is a MAJOR STRETCH,” another engineer writes.
“A C-segment car will be considered huge by 2025; bye bye to the CUV/SUV, light-duty pickup trucks and D-segment or larger cars,” another says.
100 pages of negative comments, the sky is falling.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

7. Major Shift in 2012 Survey Responses, comments much more upbeat
Engineering Survey Results
Major Shift in 2012 Survey
Responses, comments much more upbeat
Still plenty of dissenters, but majority of comments reflect can-do attitude.
“Creative, innovative businesses always find a solution,” is a typical comment.
What changed?
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

8. Engineering Survey Results
What Changed Minds
Engineers saw their companies planned to spend money and invest in new technologies.
They realized government regulators weren’t conspiring to force everyone into tiny, ugly little cars.
They realized 54.5 mpg fleet target is theoretical. Real number closer to 40 mpg.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

9. Why Won’t Rules be Relaxed?
Engineering Survey Results
Why Won’t Rules be Relaxed?
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

10. “2025 Targets Are Achievable”
Engineering Survey Results
“2025 Targets Are Achievable”
“Lots of progress has been made to improve fuel economy to meet the requirements.”
Global platforms. Europe isn’t backing down
California won’t back off its EV mandates.
Fastest growing “trucks” are fuel-sipping compact CUVs.
Targets aren’t as tough as they look.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

11. “2025 Targets Not that Tough”
Engineering Survey Results
“2025 Targets Not that Tough”
Chris Grundler, director-Office of Transportation and Air Quality at EPA, says current ’15 Ford F-150 pickup, equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 and 2-wheel drive, meets rules through 2024 without ANY modifications. It gets 19/26 mpg city/highway, 22 mpg combined.
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

12. 2014 vs. 2015 Changes Engineering Survey Results
Drew Winter, Senior Editor

13. Electrification Still Muddled

14. Hybrids Still Getting Most Attention

15. Lightweighting, Engine Tech Leads

16. Aluminum, Multi-Material Solutions

17. No Silver Bullet in Materials

18. Recycle Content Gaining Slowly

19. Check Out Previous Surveys
Automakers Focus on Lightweighting to Meet CAFE Standards
Auto Engineers See Fuel-Economy Targets Climbing Higher, Survey Reveals
Automotive Engineers Preparing to Meet 2025 CAFE Standards
Auto Engineers Doubtful About Hitting 2025 CAFE Target

20. Watch for WardsAuto/DuPont survey, coming August 2016.
Look for Next Survey
Watch for WardsAuto/DuPont survey, coming August 2016.