LAS VEGAS — Last week at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Visteon and 3M introduced a new technology demonstration vehicle targeted at consumers in global growth markets such as Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. Technologies demonstrated on the vehicle included Visteon innovations in electronics, lighting, interiors and climate, as well as an array of 3M products and solutions.
According to Tim Yerdon, Visteon global director of innovation and design, Visteon and 3M jointly conducted research to identify the mobility wants and needs of today’s consumers in growth markets. Representatives from both companies observed drivers in target markets and how they interacted with their vehicles, then entered in dialogue regarding their driving experience. Workshops also were held to gauge the consumer’s sense of perceived quality. Output from 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.
"New automotive solutions were born from these findings and integrated into this technology demonstration property to share with automakers, so they can consider implementing these technologies in future models," Yerdon said.
"While this project encompasses all product areas at Visteon, we elected to unveil this demonstration vehicle at CES for its unique implementation of cockpit electronics technologies," he added. "CES is the premier electronics-based event where Visteon can engage customers, technology partners and suppliers in a single venue."
The company enlisted Visteon experts in various growth regions to provide insights that would ensure that the project’s styling, design and features appeal to emerging market consumers while offering maximum customization. The modular design offers consumers a vehicle with key features that can be tailored to meet their driving needs and preferences, according to Visteon. For instance, the instrument panel can be full-size for improved styling, or two-thirds of normal size to increase available storage space.
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.
Dr. Steven Vander Louw, global technical director, 3M Automotive Division, stated, "We’re pleased to be a part of this exciting project. The research and analysis portion of 3M and Visteon’s ongoing collaborative relationship leverages the strengths of both companies, and results in more relevant applications of technologies to target markets."
For more information about this technology demonstration concept, visit www.visteon.com/innovate/growthmarket.
Read more about Visteon and 3M technologies at www.visteon.com/innovate/xwave.
