MUMBAI, India, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Visteon
Corporation (NYSE: VC) and 3M (NYSE: MMM) today introduced to the
India market an approach to
integrating advanced features and innovations for cars, designed to
meet the preferences of drivers and the needs of vehicle
manufacturers in this fast-growing market.
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Based on extensive consumer research in India, the two global companies collaborated
on the Growth Market Project, leading to today's unveiling of a
demonstration car − called the Growth Market Car. The car shows how
technologies can be integrated to enhance the driving experience,
while meeting cost and packaging requirements of vehicle
manufacturers in India. Key themes
of the Growth Market Car are modular design − with certain interior
components and systems that can be installed or excluded based on
driver preference; and scalable platforms − engineered to allow a
wide range of features to be added cost-effectively.
Visteon and 3M experts ensured the styling, design and features
of the Growth Market Car appeal to Indian consumers while offering
maximum flexibility.
Visteon technologies demonstrated on the Growth Market Car
include these innovations:
- Climate − A compact heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) unit and thinner heat exchangers contribute to a roomier
interior.
- Electronics − The scalable instrument cluster features an
integrated control panel (electronic or mechanical) to operate the
vehicle's entertainment system, climate and other features.
- Interiors − The instrument panel can be full-size or two-thirds
size, depending on whether consumers choose to eliminate the panel
in front of the passenger seat for more space. Also, a rear-facing
fan on the back of the center console cost-effectively eliminates
the need for separate rear-seat ducts.
- Front and rear lighting – A halogen front-lighting source
features dynamic bending for "seeing" around turns.
3M innovations on the demonstration car include:
- Vehicle Personalization – Solutions include 3M™ Interior Trim
Film for changing the look of hard plastic parts, 3M™ Paint
Protection Film to protect the exterior finish, and 3M™ Paint
Replacement Film and 3M™ Scotchcal™ Vehicle Graphics to enhance the
vehicle exterior.
- Light Management – 3M™ Light String and 3M™ Light Management
Lens create both ambient and functional solutions by enabling even
illumination and reduced complexity in both the interior and
exterior spaces.
- Sound Management – An optimized, lightweight solution that can
reduce the overall weight of the vehicle is implemented with
Thinsulate™ Acoustic Insulation after an in-depth analysis of the
vehicle.
- Attachment Solutions – 3M™ Structural Adhesives, 3M™ Acrylic
Foam Tapes, 3M™ Structural Bonding Tape and 3M™ Dual Lock™
Reclosable Fasteners enable innovative joining methods, proven
performance and process flexibility.
"Visteon conducted extensive research to better identify the
mobility wants and needs of today's consumers in India," explained Tim
Yerdon, Visteon global director of innovation and design.
"New automotive solutions were born from these findings and,
together with 3M, were integrated into this demonstration car to
share with manufacturers, so they can consider implementing these
technologies in future models."
Ideas for the technologies came from thorough research. In 2010,
Visteon conducted extensive research with Indian consumers to
define craftsmanship as it relates to automotive interior
components and overall interior harmony and design. Furthermore,
consumer clinics were conducted where drivers were observed
interacting with their vehicles and given an opportunity to talk
about their driving experiences and how they perceived quality.
This research resulted in an outline for the Growth Market Project,
yielding a compilation of technologies considered by target
consumers as having high value and quality, and designed to reflect
local needs.
Mr. S. Sashidharan, vice
president – Transportation Business, 3M India, stated, "This is our second initiative
with Visteon and we are pleased to be part of this exciting
project. As a company, 3M has always focused on Customer Inspired
Innovation and the GMV is an initiative to co-create and
collaborate on technologies to provide the best consumer
experience. 3M and Visteon's ongoing relationship leverages the
strengths of both companies, and results in more relevant
applications of technologies to India and other target markets."
The Growth Market Car will be demonstrated to manufacturers in
India, as well as Japan, China,
Brazil, and Europe.
For more information about this technology demonstration
vehicle, visit: www.visteon.com/innovate/growthmarket and
www.3M.com/autoinnovate
This is the second major collaboration between Visteon and 3M on
technology demonstration vehicles. The initial project in 2008
yielded two solution-based retrofitted prototype vehicles that
addressed six social trends: comfort, connectivity, convenience,
health, flexibility (individualism) and sensory. Read more about
Visteon and 3M technologies at www.visteon.com/innovate.
About Visteon
Visteon has four manufacturing plants and two engineering
centers in India, with more than
3,000 employees.
Visteon Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier that
designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, electronic,
interior and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers. With
corporate offices in Van Buren Township,
Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai,
China; and Chelmsford, UK;
the company has facilities in 26 countries and employs
approximately 26,500 people. Learn more at www.visteon.com.
About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces
thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets.
3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology
platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer
needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M
employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65
countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews
on Twitter.
SOURCE Visteon Corporation