This issue of Evolution focuses both on the United States and the automotive industry. Why choose this particular focus? Well, I think it’s still on many people’s mind that it was in the U.S. that mass production of cars first became a commercial success. In 1908, the Ford Motor Company introduced its Model T on the market. The always-black T-Ford was the first car to be manufactured in large scale on a moving assembly line, a production method applied in 1913. The T-Ford became one of the world’s most popular cars ever. When production was terminated in 1927, more than 15 million vehicles had left the factories.
Today the United States and the automotive industry is still a natural pairing. From the most sparsely populated areas in the U.S. to the most bustling of suburbs, the business of daily living is made possible by the car. As a young student I spent a few weeks traveling around the east coast of the U.S. on Greyhound buses, but if I wanted to see places not on the bus routes, I had to either rent a car or hitchhike.
   

Today when I travel in the U.S., I rent a car and drive it with pleasure. The traffic on the interstate highways normally runs at an even, comfortable speed. The traffic signs are clear and easy to follow, and most drivers are friendly and courteous. (Of course, this is not the case in downtown New York City, where I once had a fight with a taxi driver who wanted to press himself into my lane. I didn’t give in, but it cost me a smashed rearview mirror.)
   

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue of Evolution. We’ve updated the outlook article to reflect recent mergers in the automotive industry. And we’ve included several automotive case stories and a profile on Amory B. Lovins, a guru for fuel-efficient vehicles.
   

In addition to the articles in this issue, you’ll find a searchable archive of articles published earlier in Evolution. If you have any questions on SKF products, applications or services, please contact your SKF dealer or distributor.
Janerik Dimming  

Editor-in-chief