Simulation Tool For Predicting Warranty and Total Ownership Cost

During vehicle concept development, the manufacturer generally places primary focus on meeting performance specifications and automobile manufacturing “launch cost” objectives. Although ultimate vehicle reliability is an issue, conventionally, the automotive system designer has limited access to reliability data early in the design process. Seldom, if ever, does the designer have any indication of predicted warranty cost for initial concept ideas. Further, since total ownership cost includes warranty, this metric is not usually a primary focus of design decision making.

As new simulation capability is introduced to the marketplace, this paper identifies the impact warranty and total ownership cost prediction can have on design decision making. Further, the capabilities of a specific simulation tool are discussed herein.