Interior Award Winners Seal Deal Jun 4, 2008 9:10 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Tom Murphy This year’s Ward’s Interior of the Year winners have many things in common: flush seams, comfortable seats, durable materials, minimal noise, ample space and stellar design.
Providers Say Lukewarm Telematics Industry Finally Ready for Boom Jun 12, 2008 1:21 PM, WardsAuto.com, By James M. Amend Although industry giants OnStar and ATX Group have been offering services such as roadside assistance and hands-free calling for nearly 12 years, the technologies have struggled to catch on with consumers.
Irresistible Interiors Require More Than Great Design Jun 12, 2008 12:53 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Drew Winter Ask a group of auto designers or engineers to explain what makes an interior irresistible to prospective buyers, and you likely will go through an exercise that sounds like three blind men describing an elephant.
Less Is More in Vehicles Jun 12, 2008 10:32 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Derek Stark New technologies allow interior designers to eliminate 20%-30% of the wiring.
Reducing Seat Mass a Science Jun 11, 2008 9:42 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Seating engineers have turned to the science of metallurgy in efforts to reduce seat-frame weight, employing many different metals and forging and casting techniques.
Silver Lining Hard to Find in Ross Speech Jun 10, 2008 9:00 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Tom Murphy Ross has reasons to be pessimistic: People are losing jobs and unable to replace their vehicles; the housing market is in shambles; Americans are defaulting on loans; and household debt is up to $13.8 trillion.
CD Players’ Days Numbered, Really Jun 6, 2008 3:40 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay CD sales have been off by double-digits in recent years as consumers switch to MP3 players.
Aftermarket Offerings Range From Exotic to Mundane Jun 6, 2008 3:18 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay To expand business, Chrysler’s Mopar parts division is partnering with aftermarket firms it previously spurned.
Rise of Private Equity in Auto Interiors Business Good for Industry Jun 6, 2008 3:11 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Christie Schweinsberg “I think we would have had a complete meltdown in this town if (not for) private equity (investing in distressed firms),” one Ward’s interior show panelist says.
Ross Counts on IAC to ‘Make the Cut’ Jun 6, 2008 3:06 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Tom Murphy “Most of our suppliers would no longer exist unless we let them raise prices. I believe other Tier 1s are in a similar position,” says Wilbur Ross, who formed International Automotive Components in 2005.
Reporter Notebook: Inside Out Jun 6, 2008 2:50 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Ward’s Staff Ward’s writers pass along the buzz at this week’s 2008 Ward’s Auto Interiors Show in Detroit.
Motorists Want More In-Car Infotainment Jun 6, 2008 1:23 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Society has changed in significant ways that are affecting the growing number of information and entertainment systems in cars.
Mazda Designers Draw Inspiration From Nature, Fashion Jun 6, 2008 12:53 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope Mazda designers are given the freedom to use a myriad of materials and draw inspiration from unconventional sources.
‘One Ford’ Strategy Streamlines Purchasing Operations Jun 6, 2008 10:27 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope To further reduce complexity and eliminate redundant engineering, Ford assigned each region specific responsibilities.
Setting Record Straight on Bio-Based Materials Jun 5, 2008 4:22 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Christie Schweinsberg Panelists speaking about environmentally friendly interiors admit the term “bio-based” products can be confusing, and there is little oversight to determine the parameters.
Designers Push to Make Vehicle Interiors More Eco-Friendly Jun 5, 2008 4:09 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Derek Stark While much of the industry is focusing on cutting emissions and improving fuel economy, auto makers and suppliers also are working to create environmentally friendly interiors.
Drivers Facing Information Overload, Suppliers Warn Jun 5, 2008 12:47 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Steve Finlay Safety is compromised because modern motorists feel compelled to tap into every available in-vehicle stimulus while driving, a JCI executive says.
Tata Wants Nano Seats for $100 Jun 5, 2008 12:14 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Tom Murphy Lear isn’t backing away from its seat contract. The Southfield, MI, supplier is meeting Tata’s terms, although it’s not the only seat supplier for the program, an executive says.
Chinese ‘More Particular’ than Americans Jun 5, 2008 11:29 AM, WardsAuto.com, By Tom Murphy Chinese consumers don’t purchase an item merely for its use but also to admire, study its fit-and-finish and examine the manufacturing technology behind it.
Interior Designers ‘Heroes of Studio’ Jun 4, 2008 4:15 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Byron Pope An auto maker that ignores the importance of interior design does so at its own risk, Ford’s Peter Horbury says, adding, “Today’s customers have incredibly high standards.”
Don’t Take LED Lightly, Suppliers Warn Jun 4, 2008 3:28 PM, WardsAuto.com, By Eric Mayne The next bright idea on the horizon involves electro-luminescent lighting that will afford greater design flexibility.
Safety in Demand, Might Even Be Cost Effective Jun 4, 2008 2:31 PM, WardsAuto.com, By David E. Zoia Of the more than 500 customer needs identified in a recent survey, No.2 on the list was a desire for vehicle cabins to protect occupants from every angle in the most violent of collisions.
Providers Say Lukewarm Telematics Industry Finally Ready for Boom 
Irresistible Interiors Require More Than Great Design 
Mazda Designers Draw Inspiration From Nature, Fashion 
Designers Say Smart Features Key to Retaining Luxury’s ‘Premium-ness’ 
‘One Ford’ Strategy Streamlines Purchasing Operations 
Setting Record Straight on Bio-Based Materials 
Designers Push to Make Vehicle Interiors More Eco-Friendly 
Drivers Facing Information Overload, Suppliers Warn 
