Automotive, F1 & Motorsport Issue 2 - March 2019 | Page 3

Say goodbye to the iconic 'bug'
Since the first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the production
line in 1938, it has be an easily recognisable and ever-beloved
car. Throughout the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, you couldn’t
drive down a street without seeing ‘a bug’ parked on a
driveway.
In 2003 the bug was squished, but was brought back to life
in 2011 with a new, stylish design. Many have been
speculating and hoping for a newer, perhaps electric, bug.
However, Volkswagen has stated that the production of their
iconic beetle will end this year.
RARE MINERALS TO BE USED LESS
IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Toyota is leading a new era of using less ‘rare’ minerals in the construction
of their motors.
Currently, motors use ‘rare’ minerals used for magnets, however, these are
not rare regarding their availability in the earth, but are energy intensive and
damaging to the environment to get hold of.
Rather than using dysprosium or neodymium, the magnets will use less
expensive and more common earth metals lanthanum and cerium.
These new types of magnets will be used for electric motors that use a
fraction of the rare elements; it may also be used in other applications such
as robotics and wind turbines.
MAY 2018
2018 | | MANE
MANE AUTOMOTIVE,
AUTOMOTIVE, F1
F1 &
& MOTORSPORT
MOTORSPORT | | 7 7
MAY