This paper, describes the development phases and technical details of a new vehicle concept for Autolatina Truck Operations, “A BUS CHASSIS FOR URBAN APPLICATION”, launched on March 10, 1993.
What seemed to be an extension of the current production chassis for truck application, the urban bus chassis revealed however to require a totally specific concept to fulfill its vocational application.
This challenge was faced using moderns design/manufacturing technics and organizational structure, lined up to reduce program implementation timing, while assuring customer satisfaction.
The simultaneous engineering approach replaced the conventional area by area activities, enforcing the people commitment and knowledge on program content and objectives. The CAD/CAE technics applied simultaneously assured the required flexibility to shorten development and durability test phases.
The partnership established with the bus fleets, the body builders and the major component suppliers resulted in an interactive system, responsible to define product needs and required changes along the program development.