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Engineering Deeper: EV Electrical Architecture, Scalability, and Serviceability
Electric vehicle (EV) innovation doesn’t stop with batteries and motors. The electrical and electronic architecture (EEA) that underpins vehicle communication, diagnostics, and control systems is equally critical. In this in-depth teardown analysis, Munro & Associates explore the EEA strategies behind Tesla’s Model Y, Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen’s ID.4 with an electrical architecture comparison. What […]
Elon Musk Unfiltered: Tesla’s Manufacturing Revolution
In an exclusive 49-minute one-on-one interview, Sandy Munro sits down with Elon Musk at SpaceX’s Boca Chica site to discuss everything from Tesla’s manufacturing evolution to the next frontier in self-driving technology. For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and investors alike, this candid conversation offers a rare glimpse into Musk’s raw thoughts on production pain points, […]
Tesla Teardown Talk: Sandy Munro Meets the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley
Sandy Munro and the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley recently met for an energetic and insightful Q&A session. What followed was a no-holds-barred conversation on EV design, manufacturing innovation, and where legacy automakers are falling behind. From the practical impact of mega castings to the limits of phantom braking, Sandy and Corey Steuben of Munro […]
Under the Hood: Tesla Model 3’s Cooling System Improvements
Tesla’s 2021 Model 3 has undergone some key under-the-hood refinements—particularly in the front trunk (frunk) design and the vehicle’s thermal management system. These updates don’t just improve robustness and reliability. They have a real impact on cost and performance, especially in extreme weather conditions. In this teardown review, Munro & Associates takes a closer […]
Tesla Model 3 Cost-Savings: What a Quick Hoist Review Reveals
Tesla Model 3 cost-savings show up in places most buyers never see — underbody panels, small fasteners, and bracket choices that add up across hundreds of thousands of units. In a recent Munro hoist review, the team highlighted seemingly minor changes that compound into meaningful savings in parts, labor, and weight. For automotive engineers, EV […]
2021 Tesla Model 3 First Impressions: Improvements and Remaining Challenges
At Munro & Associates, our passion for expert teardown analysis drives us to dig deep into every new vehicle iteration. When the 2021 Tesla Model 3 arrived at our shop, excitement ran high. We hoped to see how much Tesla had refined its engineering, particularly around long-standing concerns like paint quality, build consistency, and cost-saving […]
Aptera’s Efficiency Playbook — What Engineers Can Learn From a Solar, Aero-First Three-Wheeler
Aptera’s solar-assisted, aerodynamic three-wheeler demonstrates how efficiency compounds across every system. Shape, cooling, and manufacturing choices combine to deliver range and cost advantages that conventional architectures cannot match. In a recent Munro team discussion, Aptera’s leaders detailed their approach. They explained solar “Never Charge” assumptions, mirrorless aerodynamics, in-skin cooling, and a microfactory strategy. Each element […]
Tesla’s 4680 Battery Design Evolution: A Deep Dive into Pack Architecture and Power
TTesla’s 4680 battery pack represents a pivotal leap in EV architecture, performance, and manufacturing economics. At Munro & Associates, we’ve dissected both the older 2170 cell design and the newer 4680 format to uncover how Tesla continues pushing the boundaries of lean automotive design. In this post, we explore the design rationale, electrical configuration, and […]
Bricklin’s Safety-First Design Lessons
Malcolm Bricklin’s career compresses hard-won lessons about safety, manufacturability, and cost into vivid, engineering-grade anecdotes — and those lessons map cleanly to today’s EV design challenges. Bricklin’s stories move from 10 mph energy-absorbing bumpers to acrylic body panels shaped on the world’s largest vacuum former. They show how constraint drives innovation. They also demonstrate how […]
Bricklin 3EV Three-Wheeler Safety | Munro Insights
Bricklin 3EV three-wheeler safety sits at the center of a timely conversation for engineers and investors evaluating new EV architectures. In a Munro & Associates discussion with Malcolm Bricklin, the team outlined a safety-first autocycle concept — pairing AmSafe belt-integrated airbags with a gyroscopic control strategy and tri-motor torque vectoring. The goal is simple and […]