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As cost and human-resource pressures mount, testing and engineering outsourcing heats up and alters roles within the industry.

Outsourcing in the auto industry is continuing to expand, creating significant growth for the companies that provide engineering and testing services. Automakers are starting to change the way they use outside engineers. While maintaining some of the constants that face engineers, they need to do more complex tasks in shorter time frames.

Service providers are picking up many of the chores that come as downsized engineering staffs attempt to add features that help differentiate vehicles. As automakers become more comfortable with the idea of outsourcing design and testing, some are starting to change the way they work with these service providers.