The Future of Cars: Seven Trends You Can’t Afford to Miss
Seven major trends are transforming the automotive industry. For engineers, sourcing managers, and procurement agents, these developments will drive decisions surrounding a host of business and technical issues. For JBC Technologies, a leading automotive die cutter, helping you make the most of these trends is just one of the ways we add value to your operations.
Recently, JBC attended Foam Expo 2018, North America’s leading event for the technical foam industry. In addition to discussing market developments, JBC connected with industry experts who offered valuable insights about automotive applications and material requirements. Foam Expo provided many important lessons, but here are seven trends you can’t afford to miss.
Light Weighting
Light weighting increases fuel economy by reducing a vehicle’s load. The benefits include reduced emissions, but that doesn’t mean automakers are building lighter cars. Today’s vehicles are loaded with electronics, wiring, and safety systems that increase vehicle weight.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay. As Forbes reports, Europe seems serious about killing the internal combustion engine. In addition to being cleaner and greener, electric motors are quieter. Yet EVs still need acoustic insulation, especially die cut foams that can absorb and isolate different sounds.
Autonomous Driving
Autonomous cars can navigate without human input. These vehicles are driver-less, but some carry passengers. Instead of driving the car, an occupant can watch a movie. Focusing on a phone call or listening to music are options, too. All these activities require a quieter ride.
Acoustical Performance
The automotive industry keeps moving, but acoustical performance won’t change much over the short-term. As JBC learned at Foam Expo, however, the innovations in technical foams keep on coming.
Renewable Materials
In the 1940s, Henry Ford made a plastic-bodied car from soybeans. More recently, soybean materials were used in car seats for the Ford Focus. Renewable materials like soy are also biodegradable, which helps reduce waste streams.
Higher Efficiency and Costs
Cars are becoming more efficient. They’re also getting more expensive. Perhaps not surprisingly then, this sixth trend paves the way towards the seventh.
Shared Cars
Car sharing programs and ride sharing services are changing that way that some consumers are thinking about car ownership. In fact, the Wall Street Journal even wonders if it’s the end of car ownership altogether.
Ready to Roll?
Are you curious about the future of cars? Do you need die cut products for automotive applications? The JBC Team is ready to help. Contact us to get started.