Stefan Jacoby Of VW To Reportedly Head Volvo
Rick Maiman/Bloomberg News Stefan Jacoby, president and chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America. Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen Group of America president and chief executive who had been the main architect of the company鈥檚 efforts in the United States since 2007, is reportedly leaving the company to head Volvo鈥檚 worldwide operations. The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that Mr. Jacoby will replace Stephen Odell, a Briton, at Volvo in August. Mr. Jacoby was the company鈥檚 chief strategist as it embarked on an ambitious effort to increase sales in the United States. 1 billion car plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., and many new model introductions (including several hybrids). Michael Lohscheller, who has been executive vice president and chief financial officer of the group since 2008, was chosen to head Volkswagen Group of America on an interim basis. He had been involved in overall strategy in the United States and in opening the Chattanooga plant, which will produce a new midsize sedan for the American market. Mark Barnes, the chief operating officer since 2007 and a former Chrysler executive, will be the interim head of Volkswagen of America. Jill Bratina, Volkswagen Group vice president for communications, declined to comment about Mr. Jacoby鈥檚 departure, referring reporters to a statement. 鈥淲e are holding contract talks with Stefan Jacoby,鈥?the company said. Part of Volkswagen鈥檚 American strategy under Mr. Jacoby was winning converts at the lower end of the market. 16,000 Jetta model for 2011. 鈥淲e want to play a very big role in the U.S. 鈥?Mr. Jacoby said in an interview this month.
For 2014, the Volkswagen Beetle convertible sees a handful of small but notable changes. The Beetle Turbo picks up 10 horsepower and a name change: It's now called the Beetle R-Line to avoid confusion later in the year when VW replaces the base Beetle's 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with a new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Finally, the base Beetle picks up a few more standard features, and Volkswagen's telematics system (dubbed "Car-Net") debuts, along with a rearview camera (late availability). Producing a retro-themed version of an iconic car can present automakers with quite a challenge. On one hand, they'll want it to pay proper homage to the original, but on the other, they don't want exaggerated styling cues to overshadow functional design. The reasons for this V-dub's broad appeal are many. Within the classic yet tastefully updated shape, there is ample passenger space, sensible ergonomics, a decently sized cargo hold and suspension tuning that provides an agreeable balance between sporty handling and a comfortable ride. Variety helps, too, as one may select from a number of color and trim options and pick a gas or diesel engine. The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle convertible is available in three main trim levels: Beetle 2.5L (2.5-liter gasoline), Beetle R-Line (turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline) and Beetle TDI (turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel). Note that later in the model year the 2.5L will be replaced by the 1.8T (turbocharged 1.8-liter four).
Electrical switches comes in several configurations, but are normally classified into only four types. The most common switch is the single pole single throw, abbreviated as SPST. This implies it has one contact that is normally open 鈥攁bbreviated N/O鈥?which is closed when the switch is flicked. This type of switch is either on-or-off / open circuit or closed circuit. This switch also comes in the form of a push button switch which is normally open and closes when pushed but when released it open once again. It is also known as push-to-make, abbreviated PTM. An example of a PTM is a door bell switch or a cars hooter or the individual keys on a keyboard. Push button switches also comes in a normally closed configuration and opens when pushed, but when released, it closes again. Commonly known as push-to-break, abbreviated PTB. An example of a PTB switch is used to release a door, held closed by an electromagnet.
The second and slightly more advanced switch is the single pole double throw switch, abbreviated as SPDT. This is a three terminal switch which toggles between two states when switched. SPDT are in essence two switches in one package. The one switch is normally open whilst the other is normally closed. By flicking the switch the two switches reverses their roles. The normally open switch is then closed and the normally close switch is opened. The third type of switch is the DPST and is similar to the SPST switch in operation except that it has a pair of on-off switches that switch together. It is commonly used to connect / interrupt both the live and neutral supplies in a circuit simultaneously or it may be used to switch two separate circuits simultaneously. Computer power supplies have DPDT switches as a safety feature to avoid getting electrocuted whilst working on the power supply if only one pole was switched.
The fourth type of switch is the DPDT and is similar to the SPDT switch in operation except that it has a pair of on-on switches that switch together. It is commonly wired to reverse the direction of a DC motor or be used to switch between to different colour LEDS. DPDT can be used as a DPSP in an application by using the centre contact and either one of the other two contacts and duplicated on the paired switch. DPDP switches are also available with a centre-off position, known as momentary (ON)-OFF-(ON) switch. Having discussed switches you may ask what does switches have to do with relays. The simple answer is, a relay is essentially a remotely controlled switch. Relays are controlled electrically rather than mechanically, hence they're known as electro-mechanical relays. They are commonly used in automotive design, where high current devices can be switched from a cockpit fairly cheaply. Sometimes you may need a switch with more contacts than the best switch you can find, and this is where relays outweigh switches. Relays also cost less than the combines cost of all the switches that it replaces or that can do the job of.
