Q&A

While electric and robotic cars tend to dominate the mainstream automotive news, SAE readers know the huge investments being made to improve “traditional” vehicle technologies-body structures, chassis and driveline systems, lightweight materials-for greater overall efficiencies, improved safety and reduced cost. Tier 1 driveline systems supplier American Axle & Manufacturing currently has Quantum, its all-new family of lightweight beam axles with aluminum center housing, in customer evaluations for future light trucks, crossovers and SUVs.

When AE learned there's NASA technology inside the Quantum “pumpkin,” we asked Jeffrey Nichols, AAM's executive director, advanced technology integration, to explain.