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Automotive Industry

China's Paradigm Shift - new car being developed

Automotive Industries, June, 1999 by Gerry Kobe

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Paradigm's drivetrain is also undergoing change from the original concept. The first car was built with a Peugeot/Citroen internal combustion engine supplying power to lead acid batteries and a DC electric motor. The design has since changed to an AC induction motor and regenerative charging system, under joint development with the Southwest Research Institute and EV pioneer Solectria. ADC is also partnering with Orbital for a two-stroke engine, and will change to Bolder thin-metal-film batteries.

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Body panels for Paradigm are thermoformed in color in the same basic process that has been used for years to make boat hulls and campers. And while the finish is not up to typical modern vehicle standards, it is very acceptable given the low cost and durability it offers. It could be brought up to true Class-A finish by adding a paintless film to the molds if desired, claims Van Steenburg.

To maximize panel finish at minimum cost, ADC uses epoxy/ceramic molds instead of steel or aluminum. Unlike the latter materials that require in-mold cooling to prevent ripples in the part, ceramic acts as a heat sink and pulls heat out of the plastic in a uniform manner. Ceramic molds also cost about $300 per square foot, as opposed to $4,000 to $5,000 a square foot for metal molds.

Tooling for all 11 components that make up the chassis and body of Paradigm cost just $100,000.

ADC has designed Paradigm around U.S. crash standards, but where European laws are stricter, it defers to the tougher regulation. Currently there are no plans to sell the car in America, but even that is under discussion.

Ultimately, Van Steenburg is taking all of the lessons learned on the Paradigm program and rolling them into a multi-purpose truck (MPT) project that is expected to have a pilot plant up and running later this year. The concept is a vehicle designed to be manufactured in micro-manufacturing plants, capable of turning out 1,200 vehicles a year from a 12,000 square-foot facility.

Automotive Industry

China's Paradigm Shift - new car being developed

Automotive Industries, June, 1999 by Gerry Kobe

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