Riding with more options

摘要

Henry Ford probably would be amazed at the endless options available to drivers today. He is quoted as saying, "The customer can have any color he wants so long as it's black." For engineers and designers in the automotive industry, today's endless options mean that they must produce endless innovations. They face the demands of creating even quieter, safer, smoother, faster, and cleaner-running rides. What's more, interiors are adding their own set of challenges. Consumers want their vehicles to have more room and comfort and to provide information and entertainment. That's why automakers are relying more and more on on-line collaboration, virtual design, simulation software, and virtual business models; these tools are giving them endless design options.