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Q1 EV Sales Surge Despite Market Headwinds
Despite political uncertainty and potential trade turbulence on the horizon, the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market showed impressive momentum in the first quarter of 2025. Even amid concerns around tariffs and stalled federal funding for charging infrastructure, automakers posted strong EV sales gains—a signal that consumer demand continues to grow. GM Leads With Impressive EV […]
How It’s Made: Inside DECKED’s Ultimate Truck Bed Storage Solutions
At Munro & Associates, we’ve always emphasized the importance of not just the what of a product—but the how. That’s why our recent visit to DECKED’s manufacturing facilities in Defiance, Ohio, was more than just a tour. It was an inside look into the engineering, tooling, and craftsmanship that bring DECKED’s truck bed storage systems […]
A Deep Dive into Hybrid Systems: Lessons from the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
At Munro & Associates, we specialize in benchmarking and reverse engineering. But sometimes, it’s just as valuable to take a moment and appreciate the engineering behind a modern hybrid vehicle. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offers us that perfect opportunity. Not only is it a solid example of what a parallel hybrid can be, […]
The Future of Metal Shaping: Inside Machina Labs’ Robo-Craftsman Revolution
At Munro & Associates, we’re always fascinated by transformative technologies. And few are as groundbreaking as what’s happening at Machina Labs. Nestled in California’s manufacturing heartland, Machina is rewriting the rules of metal forming by combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and good old-fashioned craftsmanship in a way the industry has never seen. From custom car hoods […]
A Deep Dive into the Hyundai Santa Fe Interior
At Munro & Associates, we pride ourselves on evaluating vehicles with a discerning eye. Especially when it comes to innovation, functionality, and cost-efficiency. Recently, we had the chance to review the interior of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy edition—a $50,000 three-row SUV that not only surprised us but even challenged some of our […]
Cushy or Costly? A Deep Dive into the Imperium Skywell Door Design
At Munro & Associates, every teardown tells a story—and few are as layered as the ongoing investigation into the Imperium Skywell, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) that’s been waiting in the wings of our shop for several years. Purchased by Sandy Munro a while back, the Skywell has recently become the center of our teardown […]
Imperium Skywell Seat Teardown – Did They Get It All Wrong?
At Munro & Associates, seat teardowns are more than just taking things apart—they’re a deep dive into the design philosophies, cost structures, and manufacturing choices that tell the story of a vehicle. Today, we’re looking at the Imperium Skywell, a Chinese electric SUV that entered the market at an aggressive $30,000 price point. After sitting […]
German Engineering at Its Best: A Deep Dive into the Volkswagen APP550 Electric Motor
At Munro & Associates, we tear things down to build understanding—and few things excite us more than brilliant engineering that exceeds expectations. When we got our hands on Volkswagen’s new APP550 electric drive system, we knew we were in for something special. We’d like to thank VW for the opportunity to borrow this unit for […]
Pratt Miller: Michigan’s Hidden Gem of Motorsports and Defense Innovation
Tucked away in the heart of mid-Michigan lies a world-class engineering powerhouse that many outside the racing or defense industries may not know about—Pratt Miller. This impressive company is redefining what it means to be a motorsports leader. At the same time, it’s driving innovation in military technology, electrification, and advanced product development. Recently, Munro […]
Underneath the All-Electric Jeep Wagoneer S: Strength, Structure & Surprises
At Munro & Associates, we’ve long emphasized the importance of a vehicle’s foundational design when evaluating innovation, manufacturing decisions, and long-term durability. With the all-electric 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S, Stellantis has unveiled a compelling mix of familiar Jeep DNA and forward-thinking architecture. In this teardown, we explore what’s going on beneath the surface—and there’s a […]