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Industry-Leading EV Analysis

Munro & 3IS: Delivering Industry-Leading EV Teardown and Analysis

In the fast-evolving automotive landscape, electric vehicles are redefining what consumers expect from performance, safety, and technology. As cars shift from mechanical machines to software-defined platforms, understanding their inner workings has never been more important. That’s where the partnership between Munro & Associates and 3IS comes into play. Together, they bring unmatched expertise in EV teardown, cost benchmarking, and deep electrical and electronics analysis — a combination that delivers clarity and competitive advantage to OEMs, suppliers, and investors.

The Partnership Behind the Insights

For over seven years, Munro & Associates and 3IS have collaborated to push the boundaries of vehicle analysis. Munro is known worldwide for detailed product teardowns, cost evaluations, and lean manufacturing consulting. Their process goes beyond disassembly — it’s about finding ways to improve quality, reduce weight, and cut costs without compromising performance.

3IS specializes in electrical and electronic systems, analyzing every wired component in a vehicle. Their expertise extends to reverse engineering at the silicon level, uncovering the “why” behind design decisions. While Munro brings the facility, tooling, and teardown team, 3IS delivers a forensic deep dive into electronics architecture, enabling a holistic understanding of modern vehicle systems.

From Components to Complete Systems

One of the core deliverables of the Munro–3IS collaboration is the Zone E Report. This detailed document covers every connector-equipped component in the vehicle. It goes beyond listing parts — it explains their role, their integration into the system, and the design logic that drove their inclusion. The goal isn’t just to say what’s there or how it works, but why it’s engineered that way.

Understanding that “why” matters. Whether it’s a unique solution to a persistent problem or an innovative step toward future-proofing, knowing the design rationale informs better decision-making for manufacturers and engineers alike.

The Shift to Software-Defined Vehicles

The automotive industry is moving rapidly toward architectures that prioritize electronics and software over purely mechanical solutions. Modern EVs are effectively rolling servers, equipped with computing power once reserved for high-end desktop systems. Many functions that were once mechanical — like switching and fusing — are now solid-state, controlled entirely by silicon.

This shift is more than a technological curiosity; it’s a cost, weight, and efficiency advantage. For example, Tesla’s transition to a 48-volt system reduces wire gauge and copper use, improving both packaging and energy efficiency. The Munro–3IS team has tracked these advancements across multiple Tesla generations, from early Model 3 builds to the Cybertruck, noting exponential improvements in system integration and component efficiency.

Zonal Architectures and Strategic Design Control

One of the most significant trends in vehicle electronics is the adoption of zonal architectures — a design approach that consolidates control modules into regional hubs. Tesla has been a leader here, while other OEMs are moving more cautiously. The benefits are clear: reduced wiring complexity, easier software updates, and enhanced scalability for features like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

This is why many automakers are now bringing electronics design and software development in-house. Controlling these architectures has become strategically important, influencing both product differentiation and long-term profitability.

Making Complex Systems Understandable

As vehicles become more electrified, understanding their systems requires a blend of mechanical teardown expertise and deep electronic analysis. Munro can break a product down to the cost of an individual circuit board, while 3IS provides the context of how that board fits into the system and supports overall vehicle functions. Together, they make complex architectures accessible to decision-makers who need actionable insights.

Even relatively simple components are increasingly packaged into multifunction devices, making them harder to reverse engineer without specialized expertise. This is where the combined skill set of Munro and 3IS delivers exceptional value.

Real-World Applications and Deliverables

Clients benefit from the partnership in multiple ways:

  • Detailed Architecture Reports — Covering components, connectors, software integration, and system-level functionality.

  • Cost and Weight Analysis — Identifying opportunities for savings without sacrificing performance.

  • Design Rationale Evaluation — Explaining why a specific engineering path was chosen.

  • Competitive Benchmarking — Comparing architectures across brands and model years.

For manufacturers, these insights can inform new vehicle programs, help avoid costly missteps, and reveal competitive strengths and weaknesses.

Example: Tracking Tesla’s Progression

By following Tesla’s evolution from the early Model 3 to the Cybertruck, Munro and 3IS have documented how the automaker continues to refine its electronics. Eliminating 12-volt systems entirely, replacing relays with solid-state controls, and integrating functions into fewer, more powerful modules — these are changes with ripple effects on cost, manufacturability, and repairability. Understanding those changes provides a roadmap for others in the industry.

How to Access These Insights

Munro & Associates and 3IS work with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and other industry stakeholders to deliver custom analysis projects. They also maintain a growing library of architectural topology documents, covering vehicles from Tesla to Kia’s EV9, with more added regularly.

Potential partners can arrange for detailed teardown studies, targeted component analysis, or full-system benchmarking.

Munro 3IS EV Teardown Takeaway

In today’s competitive EV market, success depends on mastering both the mechanical and electronic sides of the product. The Munro–3IS partnership offers a rare combination of capabilities that cover the full scope of modern vehicle design. From high-level architecture mapping to granular cost breakdowns, their work provides the clarity needed to make informed design, investment, and manufacturing decisions.

Drive Your EV Program Forward With Munro & 3IS

For detailed EV teardown analysis, cost benchmarking, and deep electronic system insights, connect with Munro & Associates and 3IS. Explore how their expertise can help your next program hit performance, cost, and market targets — and stay ahead in an industry where technology is rewriting the rules.