Progress Through Partnership Engineering Thermoplastics and the Auto Industry

The adoption of engineering thermoplastics is rapidly expanding in the worlds automotive industry. All thermoplastic bumper systems, instrument panels and fascias have become the industry norm. The paper outlines how in partnership the use of engineering thermoplastics will provide the answer to lower volume model differentiation and how they are particularly suitable for newly emerging manufacturers with limited capital availability.

The paper details with the aid of the "Vector" concept car program how engineering thermoplastics can provide an economic alternative to traditional body building materials. Emphasis is placed on systems for exterior body cladding and the liftgate. The Vector vehicle is designed to accept thermo-plastic body componentry without major revision to existing production lines or production practices.

The commercial adoption of such parts is discussed and the industrialization of the vehicle detailed.