Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers Powertrain Consulting Services (PCS) to manufacturers and suppliers across the transportation industry, providing research and development for engines, electrification, drivelines, fluids and more.
Program services consist of access to SwRI’s industry analysis portal and quarterly technical reports containing the latest developments in engines, electrification, fuels, and lubricants; onsite updates on the latest powertrain-related technologies; and individual consultation for transportation-related topics.
For more information, please contact Ryan Williams or call +1 210 522 5185.
SwRI Industry Analysis Portal
SwRI maintains an online portal for PCS clients where new material is constantly under development. The portal is SwRI’s way to share insights quickly on topics such as announcements from manufacturers and businesses or regulatory commentary. SwRI also uses this platform to provide summaries of industry conferences and seminars either hosted at SwRI or attended by SwRI staff. SwRI annually attends more than 20 United States and international transportation conferences, often holding speaking or organizer positions. Examples of recent powertrain-focused topics include:
- Proposed changes to emissions legislation
- Measurement of extremely low engine emissions
- Current trends in engine design and analysis
- High efficiency and durable gasoline engine technology
- Diesel engine emissions control
Quarterly Industry Reports
Regulatory changes and policy movements are tracked and analyzed by SwRI program managers and senior level staff to understand how these could affect our clients’ business. We distill those learnings into the backbone of our formal quarterly PCS report. SwRI also provides deep-dive analysis on new technologies, industry trends and company announcements. Lastly, SwRI gives insight into the internal research and development investments that we are making now to provide solutions for our clients in the future. Examples of subjects covered in these reports include:
- Summaries of technical meetings
- Changes in government regulations
- Summaries of important press releases
- General discussion of the engine, transmission, fuels, and lubricants industries
- SwRI IR&D program summaries
Seminars Conducted at Client Sites
Senior level SwRI automotive experts conduct three-hour-long seminars about a wide variety of powertrain-related topics at the client's site. Participants select topics from a list of presentation titles and abstracts provided several weeks before the onsite visit. The list contains material derived from the most recent quarterly report, with two to six additional presentations from the portal. This on-site visit gives an opportunity for detailed technical questions to be answered from the portal or quarterly report material.
Private Consulting Services
Participants are also entitled to individual, private consultation. This consultation takes many forms, including:
- Specific reports about topics identified by the participant
- Answers to specific engineering questions
- Analysis of participant-supplied data
- Examination of failed components
- Recommendations regarding powertrain engineering
- Strategic technology review
- Specialized training and lectures on powertrain topics
Consulting services are offered as an add on to the base PCS membership subscription in blocks of hours to be used at the discretion of the client.
Powertrain Consulting Service Membership
SwRI has PCS participants in Europe, Asia and the U.S., including light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, and oil and fuel companies. Service is renewable on an annual basis.