Tom Smart Email & Phone Number

Birmingham, Michigan, United States

Product design/development and electrified vehicle technology specialist with 40 years of automotive industry experience. Have conducted a broad range of strategic and design studies, technology assessments, market analyses, and business evaluations to help clients develop compelling new automotive products, technologies, services and business strategies. Worked with China auto companies on development of hybrid and electric New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), composite materials, and other vehicle technologies and strategies. Automotive Insight customer engagements include:• Led NVH Improvement Project for Chinese OEM to develop cost-effective NVH solutions for new China market vehicle entry to make it commercially viable.• Led build of Through-the-Road (TTR) Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in a production compact SUV as demonstration vehicle for overseas client.• Led major study for TARDEC on full range of Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Improvement and Electrification Technologies, documenting industry developments and challenges.• Developed analysis of medium/heavy-duty diesel-electric hybrid truck and bus technologies, commercial products, and fleet user experiences for TARDEC. Presented results to ATA/TMC mtg.• Conducted data acquisition on military base non-tactical fleet and developed vehicle duty cycles to support vehicle electrification. Wrote papers on results for GVSETS conference and ATA/TMC meeting.• Completed Product Development Resource Management study for top automotive OEM with gap identification and recommendations.• Led analysis of new, lightweight composite material for supplier to determine automotive application potential. Worked with auto OEM’s and suppliers to identify processing issues/opportunities.• Provided automotive component design & mfg. complexity expertise on OEM study to determine appropriate supplier SG&A markups by commodity type.

Dearborn, Michigan

Led Ford's Transmission Development Lab with 130 people working a three-shift operation and $21 million operating budget. Responsible for delivering transmission development and validation testing in a high-quality and timely manner, from component to vehicle level tests.• Developed and implemented transformational test management methods to improve ownership, eliminate chronic issues and significantly improve lab throughput• Improved test operations productivity by up to 40% and reduced down-time by 32%, despite personnel reductions• Led installation of high-speed dynamometers for EV/HEV transmission and motor development• Utilized rigorous 8D approach on lab incidents to prevent recurrence and improve safety

Led the development and delivery of all current model brake cost reduction and quality/ warranty improvement actions for Ford cars and trucks, including component redesign and validation. • Implemented new methods for early failure identification, resulting in brake warranty improvement exceeding objectives; reduced R/1000 by 60% and Cost/unit by 45%• Co-led development of first Ford Commodity Business Plan for Brakes, which identified design, sourcing and parts commonality strategies totaling $100 Mil cost reduction• Led successful design and implementation of all brake MCR actions, including development and use of a new QOS to improve quality of delivery

Dearborn, Michigan

Led the Chassis Engrg. and Vehicle Integration Engrg. teams that designed and developed Ford’s first Hybrid-Electric Vehicle, the Escape Hybrid, from program inception. • Led development of program targets and cascaded requirements, including defining many new HEV-unique standards and test requirements• Led Package Engrg to incorporate all of the new Hybrid components such as battery pack and high-voltage electrical wiring while meeting safety requirements• Led Chassis Engrg to develop new technologies in Electric Power Steering and Electro-Hydraulic Brakes for regen capability, plus special tires and wheels. Worked closely with suppliers to develop FMEAs and conduct APQP reviews• Led the Vehicle Integration Dynamics and NVH groups to successfully achieve ride/handling/steering/ braking targets and resolve unique NVH issues during engine-off operation• Led a cross-functional task force to resolve an issue that nearly stopped the program, utilizing unique control strategies

Dearborn, Michigan

Led the Ford Pre-program Center which helped each new car and truck program start up, get properly staffed, and achieve balanced attribute targets within program objectives.• Defined and deployed the new Systems Engrg-based, FPDS Target-setting process to translate Voice-of-Customer inputs into attributes, and then cascade to hardware requirements• Championed use of Value Management tools to guide Advanced Engrg. efforts and identify cost-effective technologies for use by programs

Led the Chassis Engineering team that designed, developed and launched the 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII program.• Resolved issues with new tilt-telescope steering column design to eliminate rattle• Led cross-functional team to solve issue with fuel vapor shut-off valve causing engine stalling• Developed launch containment plan to successfully launch on-time despite late issues

Led the strategic planning team that developed product and technology plans to ensure that Ford achieved compliance with fuel economy (CAFE) standards.• Championed development of new, cost-effective, fuel economy improvement technologies within Ford Research & Advanced Engrg, and integrated with vehicle program plans• Developed fleet optimization strategies that balanced sales mix with new technologies

- Advanced Powertrain Strategy Supervisor- Escort/Tracer Program Management Supervisor- GN34 (mid-engine sports car) Product Planning Supervisor- Diesel Engine Program Strategy Supervisor- Powertrain & Cycle Planning Analyst- Axle Design & Release Engineer

Mba, Marketing

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: SAE-Student Chapter, UW Marching Band, Delta Upsilon Fraternity Served 1998 - 2005 on the Dean's Industrial.