Ford Mach-E Rear Motor Teardown: Design Critique and Cost Opportunities
At Munro & Associates, we recently conducted a detailed teardown of the Ford Mach-E’s rear motor, inverter, and transmission assembly. Our objective? Understand how Ford’s design stacks up against competitors like Tesla and Volkswagen—and where it may be adding unnecessary complexity, weight, or cost. While the Mach-E’s system shows a few thoughtful touches, our analysis […]
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’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 […]
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 […]
Volkswagen ID.4 Battery Pack: Redesign Opportunities
In the competitive world of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, every kilogram matters. Lighter vehicles accelerate faster, drive farther, and cost less to produce. In a recent Munro & Associates teardown, the team explored the Volkswagen ID.4 battery pack, uncovering significant opportunities for redesign, weight reduction, and cost savings — particularly through the use of polymer […]
Mach-E Front Motor Teardown: Sandy Praises Ingenious Design
At Munro & Associates, Sandy Munro has earned a reputation for his no-nonsense engineering reviews. His teardowns spotlight critical insights into automotive design, cost optimization, and manufacturing efficiency. In a surprising turn, the latest teardown of the Ford Mach-E’s front motor system left Sandy genuinely impressed — a rare feat. Here’s why. First Impressions: A […]
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 […]
Inside Tesla’s Motor Evolution: Model Y vs Model 3 Teardown
Electric vehicles are more than battery packs and sleek user interfaces — their powertrains are evolving fast, and Tesla remains at the forefront. In a recent teardown walkthrough, Munro & Associates examined the electric motors from the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, comparing them not just to each other, but to motors from leading […]
Cybertruck Body Structure Faceoff
A Bold Leap in Lean Truck Design Tesla’s Cybertruck isn’t just another pickup—it’s a radical departure from everything the truck market has seen before. In this post, we’ll break down how its exoskeleton design compares to conventional body-on-frame and unibody configurations seen in Ford, Chevy, and Ram trucks. This expert analysis highlights the material choices, […]
Volkswagen ID.4 Electric Motor Teardown: A Modular Masterclass in Lean Design
When Volkswagen handed over their ID.4 electric motor to Munro & Associates, they did something rare in the auto industry: they invited a no-holds-barred teardown on camera. And we delivered. This permanent magnet (PM) motor offered a compelling look into how VW is approaching the global EV market—with a strong focus on modularity, cost reduction, […]