Automotive engineering is a rapidly changing and exciting industry. The cars of today are different from those of the past, with smart technology, hybrid engines and electric cars all being available on the market. But automotive engineering is not just about the development of new types of cars, it’s also about finding more efficient ways to manufacture and power them, discovering new techniques to optimise fuel efficiency, as well as maintaining safe engineering practices and quality assurance.

Automotive engineering can be broken down into three major areas – design, R&D (Research & Development) and manufacturing. These three areas allow for the development of modifications which improve the speed, weight and reliability of vehicles. 

Find out more about each area below. 

Design

The first phase of the automotive engineering process involves the planning and execution of ideas, which can be integrated into working prototypes. These plans can include vehicle styling, performance characteristics and safety features, as well as preparing material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications.

During this stage, design drawings and blueprints are created, computer software developed, and special tooling assembled. When designing new concepts, automotive engineers ensure they take into consideration changing customer needs and government emissions regulations.

Research and Development

During the R&D stage, the safety, cost and environmental impact of designs are analysed and tested. Automotive engineering is reliant upon computer simulation software, which allows automotive engineers to study how their design would perform in real-world situations without having to test them personally, which proves to be a more cost effective and safer option.

Some examples of the uses of computer simulation software include:

• Testing the aerodynamics of vehicles by using wind tunnels
• Test driving a vehicle in a virtual environment
• Running crash tests with virtual dummies

R&D has also made significant leaps towards introducing autonomous driving on a large scale, which will revolutionise how we interact with cars, leading to safer roads and more efficient transportation systems.

Manufacturing

After a concept has passed through the prototype stage and has been developed and researched thoroughly, it must go through rigorous testing to ensure that it meets all industry standards for quality control, before being approved for
mass production by regulatory agencies. 

After successfully completing these tests, manufacturing can begin and a production line can be assembled, examples of which can include producing:

• Engines
• Gearboxes
• Suspension systems
• Braking systems
• Wheels and tires
• Airbags

These three stages of automotive engineering allow for the production of high-quality products which are safe, sustainable, cost effective and design focused.  As the automotive engineering sector evolves and develops, McGreevy Engineering is proud to be a part of this industry, which consistently works to improve the world we live in.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team about a project, contact us by
calling: 028 9044 8755 or email: [email protected].