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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.