Testing adapts

Growing vehicle complexity, globalization, and other industry trends are prompting companies to focus more on automation and standardization in their test programs.

The marketing forces driving designers to reduce emissions, improve safety, and add features are challenging the test programs that help get new cars into production without glitches. Carmakers and Tier 1 suppliers alike are implementing new approaches to perform even more tests.

For designers pressing to differentiate their vehicles, testing becomes an increasingly important aspect of the development process. And as more and more tests are run on modules, prototypes, and initial production vehicles, testing managers are moving forward in many directions. They are shifting architectures, building new facilities, and generally figuring out how to expand the process while also streamlining it.