The way automobiles are designed, manufactured and used has undergone significant transformation in recent years.

Advancements in technology, materials and production processes are fundamentally changing how cars are created - and also how they are supported and used. For instance, the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) is not just a change in the powertrain, but also changes supply chains, manufacturing, maintenance and user expectations.

Additionally, an increasing reliance on electrical technologies means a growing emphasis on electronics, including connectivity and autonomous driving features. The integration of software into vehicles means that they are no longer just mechanical machines; they are sophisticated computing platforms. This also brings about new challenges, such as cybersecurity concerns and the need for constant software updates.

As we look to the future, the ways we design, manufacture, and use cars will continue to evolve in ways that are hard to fully predict, making the automotive landscape more disruptive than ever.

Here's a glimpse on where things stand today.

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From the archives

• Solid state batteries are poised to disrupt EV power sources (May 2024)
• Highly efficient magnet-free electric motor (November 2022)
• How much does an EV battery replacement cost? (September 2022)
• Meet the lithium-sulfur battery (February 2022)