Down to the wire

摘要

Despite advances in the body-in-white, efforts to replace metals with plastics and greater integration of parts, the weight reductions that new vehicles should be achieving just aren't happening. The problem is that with every new vehicle generation, customers expect greater levels of comfort and safety.rnCritics like to point out that the 2003 fifth-generation VW Golf weighs almost twice as much as the original 1976 model. But apart from the name, the cars have little in common. The main difference is the number of bus systems in cars.rnOEMs are in a difficult position: without all the extra safety electronics, parking sensors and in-car entertainment, cars won't sell. As a result, the wiring harness is among the heaviest parts in a car. The increasing price of copper is also compelling OEMs to cut wiring weight.