Production to begin on new Cadillac luxury crossover

09North America
A publication for Faurecia employees
May/June
Zoom
Production to begin on new Cadillac
luxury crossover
Excitement is building for the refreshed 2010 Cadillac SRX crossover vehicle, which will arrive in showrooms late this summer. Faurecia opened a new plant to support
production close to the customer. The 40 employees at the new Ramos Arizpe, Mexico just-in-time plant have been ramping up to begin production in June of door panels for
the new vehicle.
During the two years since the program was awarded, Faurecia has been finding and applying solutions that bring the Cadillac brand to life. In addition to the door panels,
the Group supplies the instrument panel and trim pieces and seat mechanisms. The SRX is being sold as a distinct and compelling vehicle in the luxury segment, where
technical precision blends with old-world craftsmanship. For more information about how Faurecia helps the brand deliver on this promise, go to pages 4-5.
2
Ford executives visit
Faurecia in Méru
6
Help prevent the spread
of germs at work
7
Ford Taurus delivers
style, substance,
technology
2 Group News
‘Share long-term product needs’
Ford executives visit Faurecia in Méru
On April 29, Faurecia held an Executive
Business & Technology Review with Ford
executives at the Méru, France R&D Center
(ISPG). Thirteen Ford executives attended,
representing Body & Powertrain for the U.S.
and Europe, and Engineering and Purchasing.
The main target with Faurecia’s fourth largest
customer: to share long-term product needs
and define common advanced development
projects. In that respect, Faurecia exhibited
more than 150 projects and shared its product
development road maps for the coming years.
Faurecia Chairman and CEO Yann Delabrière,
Product Group EVPs, R&D VPs, CBU/Division
VPs and product experts presented the Group’s
expertise and product innovation portfolio.
Faurecia exhibited
more than 150
projects and
shared its product
development
road maps for the
coming years.
The Ford team was particularly interested
in products that fit with its upcoming vehicle
cycle plan, such as small cars, engine downsizing, weight reduction, fuel economy, global
platforms, perceived quality and “democratization”
of consumer features.
A Faurecia first, this close collaboration with
Ford is set to continue. The event’s success
shows that Faurecia is seen as an important
and sustainable partner for Ford.
-35%
Faurecia’s consolidated sales in the first
quarter of 2009 totaled more than $2.6
billion. This is down 35% compared to the
same period in 2008. The figures for each
product group are as follows:
• Seating: $1.14 billion (-34.7%)
• Vehicle Interiors: $740 million (-35.1%)
• Exhaust Systems: $497.2 million (-41.5%)
• Exterior Systems: $244 million (-28%)
While sales in South America were
relatively stable, sharper drops were seen in
Asia, Europe and North America. However,
thanks to our diversified mix of customers
and products, the fall in Group sales was
less than the overall decline experienced by
the global auto industry.
Seating Product Group
merges R&D
The last step was taken in the integration of SMPG and ASPG into a single entity, SPG. The
middle of May saw the official announcement of the merger of the two R&D departments under
the leadership of Thilo Ludewig, R&D Vice President of SPG.
In the past, product design and process design were separate. Integrating them will
generate many synergies and cost savings. Above all, the mission for the unified global
R&D organization will be to create standard platforms and focus on streamlining innovation.
Christophe Aufrère, who becomes Chief Technologies Officer, will be in charge of driving
innovation. The Group has committed to investing a lot in the new R&D department, confirming
its essential role in remaining competitive.
The main challenge is to build a global network with common standards, while staying in
touch with local markets. The key is to standardize metal frames and do local customization
through soft parts. Saving money on the internal structure means more can be spent on the
parts that consumers see and touch.
3
Site Life
Faurecia celebrates 10 years
Shelby team marks safety
milestone
For three years the employees at the Shelby Plant (SPG) in Shelby Township, Michigan, have been working
to improve safety. In January, they reached one important milestone that reflects their commitment – they
marked one year with no lost-time injuries.
Many improvements have contributed to this, including workstation modifications to ergonomic
conditions, communication and training. Employees have also improved equipment maintenance and
evaluated material flow on and off the line. As a foam plant, Shelby has concentrated on advancing chemical
blending and reducing scrap. Since January, they have added three more months to their achievement.
June 4, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the
incorporation of Faurecia. On that day in 1999,
Faurecia stock began trading on the Paris stock
exchange, after the merger of Bertrand Faure and
ECIA. With roots extending back nearly 200 years,
this merger resulted in a business that included
a combined 32,000 employees at more than 100
locations. Acquisitions and significant organic
growth have led
to the Faurecia
we know today,
with about 58,000
employees at 190
sites in 29 countries.
Safety best practice
The plant has also introduced Workstation Safety Sheets for each station. Each operator reviews the sheet as
a part of polyvalence training. The sheet details the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform
the tasks and the chemicals that are used at the workstation or in the surrounding area, and notes the
locations of the nearest spill and first aid kits.
These safety sheets were implemented after AGREPT ergonomic evaluations. The AGREPT audits
identified the types of hazards at each station and outlined corrective actions to ensure a safe work
environment.
“We have come a long way,” said Stacey Kacarka, Shelby HSE Coordinator. “Shelby is growing and
improving. A safer working environment means safe employees, increased production and higher quality
parts.”
Employees at Shelby are working to maintain their achievement and are now looking to improve their
FR1t measurements and ergonomics.
Q1 sales slide in North America
Faurecia sales in North America during January, February and March totaled $323.12 million. That is down
47 percent compared with the same quarter in 2008. For total Group sales, see the story on page 2.
In the region, the reported sales were:
• -40.6% for the Seating Product Group
• -40.8% for Vehicle Interiors
• -64.2% for the Exhaust Systems Product Group
-47%
Northwood offers helping hand
to neighbors
Employees at the Northwood, Ohio Plant (ISPG) answered a call to help friends and neighbors in their Toledo
community. From April 6-9, the team collected close to 2,000 pounds of food and toiletries for the local Cherry
Street Mission.
“Everyone pulled together as one solid team to serve the greater good,” said Northwood Plant Manager Craig
Zimmerly. “They responded to a call right in our backyard in a completely unexpected way. It makes me really
proud, especially in these economic times.”
The donations of nonperishable food, paper
towels, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, napkins
and other personal care items were packed into
Zimmerly’s truck and delivered on April 9. He said
five men at the mission were needed to unload
everything.
The Cherry Street Mission serves homeless
and low-income people. It provides food, clothing,
shelter and other services like literacy and vocational
training and job-readiness assistance. In 2008,
the mission served more than 240,000 meals and
sheltered an average of 200 people each night, an
increase of 28 percent compared with 2007.
Ford restores ESPG to
supply panel
The Exhaust Systems Product Group was added
back to Ford’s panel of suppliers in early April. In
2007, the automaker decided to limit the number
of suppliers to three, just edging out Faurecia. The
division in North America has been working for
more than a year to change minds at Ford, and
they succeeded.
The strategy to overturn the decision included
exceeding targets on programs that were already
being launched, demonstrating Faurecia is
commercially competitive and bringing quality
levels up, and having Ford recognize that.
“It has been a very long year and a half,” said
Mark Stidham, President of the Exhaust Systems
Product Group in North America. “During that
time we have tried to prove the previous decision
wrong. Now we must prove this new decision right
– flawless delivery is the only way to do that.”
Schmink named Vice
President of HR
In March, Mark Schmink was
appointed Vice President
of Group Country Human
Resources. He replaced the
acting Vice President, Olivier
Lurson. Schmink continues
to hold his position of Vice
President of HR for the Seating Product Group in
NAO. He is based at the Troy, Mich. Technical Center.
Barrie ends production
in June
Production will end at the Barrie, Ontario Plant
(SPG) in June. Preparations have been ongoing
since December 2008, with several production
lines relocating to other Faurecia facilities. Many of
the employees from Barrie were eligible to apply
for positions at the Bradford, Ontario Plant (SPG).
This decision, according to SPG President
for North America Pat Szaroletta, was a result of
several economic pressures. Declining customer
demand, along with other factors, has led to
excess capacity for SPG in North America,
necessitating a consolidation of operations. Barrie
opened in 2007 to take on excess capacity of seat
mechanisms from the Bradford site.
faurecia infos NA • May/June 2009
4 Zoom
The world of ‘heavy metal’
Faurecia’s frames, tracks,
recliners provide sound
structure for Cadillac SRX
D
id you know that Faurecia is the world’s leading supplier of seat mechanisms? The Group sells more frames, tracks, recliners and other parts
that form the structure of a seat than any other company in the world. In 2007, that meant:
• 10 million front seat frame sets
• 5 million rear seat frame sets
• 55 million tracks
• 40 million recliners
For the 2010 model year, the Group is adding to those totals. Frames come from Bradford, Ontario and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Tracks are
produced in San Luis Potosi, and recliners in Bradford and Flers, France. The structures are used to build the working core of the driver and frontpassenger seats. This includes four-way and six-way, manual and power variations. Production for the SRX mechanisms is estimated to be about
217 vehicle sets per day.
A global advantage
Top to bottom:
Seat tracks
and frames are
manufactured
with high-strength
steel that reduces
overall vehicle
weight. In San
Luis Potosi, David
Martinez Guitierrez
installs the last
two screws on the
front cushion for
an Epsilon II frame.
The SRX is part of General Motors’ Epsilon II global seating platform that will be used on eight
vehicles. This includes the new Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Camaro and Opel Insignia, which are
already in production.
“The same tooling and assembly concepts are being used in the three major regions in which
GM operates – Europe, North America and Asia,” said Werner Forster, Program Director. “It’s all
one seat, one core. And Faurecia’s global capabilities are the main reason that we were awarded
the job.”
Faurecia is part of a global team for the Epsilon II, centralized in Europe, Forster explained. GM
calls it a “homeroom” and all design and engineering changes are controlled through this single
office, which can be a challenge. But, this ensures that everything remains consistent.
Parts innovation lightens the load
One of the other reasons Faurecia won the business from General Motors could be linked to the use
of a new high-strength steel in these structures. For the first time for GM, Faurecia will use this steel
in the recliners and tracks. It lowers the weight of the components, but it also makes them stronger.
“We’ve applied the high-strength steel to a Volkswagen program in Europe,” said Forster. “It’s a
bit more expensive and requires more validation because it is a newer material. But, the end result
is added strength and reduced weight.”
R A M O S A R I ZP E P L A N T - NO W O PE N
On the cover: At the
new Ramos Arizpe
site, Veronica Calvillo
inspects a Cadillac
SRX front door panel
coming off the line.
“Here comes the SRX…and just in time, too!”
Q&A
Site Life
5
Interior Systems finesses the
Cadillac style
person buying a Cadillac demands the highest levels of style and luxury in their vehicle. When
the new 2010 SRX arrives in showrooms,
customers won’t be disappointed. Faurecia is helping
General Motors keep the promise of the Cadillac brand.
GM recognizes
that the wrapping
expertise is our
niche.
an operator. In addition, laser-scoring is used for the
airbag lid, which requires an extra level of precision.
Material changes
Adding to the challenges the team faces, the program
is using a PUR (polyurethane) skin new to Faurecia in
North America. It is sensitive to the production process
and an innovative feature for the program. It has the feel
of leather but at a significantly lower cost. Working with
the new material, along with high expectations of quality
and delivery of this demanding customer, really raises
the pressure for Faurecia.
The team in Puebla is dedicated to getting the job
done and done right, according to Brian Sowa, SRX
Program Manager for ISPG. “GM recognizes that the
wrapping expertise is our niche,” he said. “A successful
launch is important for future business in the luxury
brands, like Cadillac and Buick at GM. This IP is our
first step, it’s a good in.”
The newly-designed crossover vehicle features an
instrument panel handcrafted by Group employees at
Puebla, Mexico Plants 1 and 4. The design is based on
the popular Chevrolet Malibu, with several modifications.
Wrapped by hand
The instrument panel and its trim pieces are handwrapped with decorative stitching. This process is laborintensive and requires a lot of time and skill from
Faurecia’s IP on the new Cadillac SRX shows off the Group's crafting expertise.
Dimensions
•
•
•
•
•
Length: 190.2 inches
Width: 75.1 inches
Height: 65.6 inches
Wheelbase: 110.5 inches
Cargo volume: 29.2 cubic feet
Engines
• 3.0-liter DOHC V-6 that delivers 265 hp and 223 lb.-ft. of torque
• 2.8-liter DOHC turbo V-6 that delivers 300 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque
Exterior
Cadillac SRX: ‘fresh
and compelling’
The all-new 2010 Cadillac SRX mid-size crossover will begin arriving in showrooms
later this year. The completely new design and more-efficient, high-technology engine
choices are sure to turn customers’ heads. “The all-new SRX is a fresh and compelling
crossover … with new technologies for increased efficiency and safety,” said Mark
McNabb, GM Vice President of Cadillac/Premium Channel.
The SRX seats five, features generous occupant and cargo room and can tow up
to 3,500 pounds.
Faurecia helps the Cadillac brand achieve its goal of presenting a new vehicle
for its style-conscious, luxury customers. A highlight of the well-tailored cabin is
an instrument panel supplied by Faurecia’s Puebla, Mexico Plant and door panels
supplied by Puebla and the new Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant. Seat mechanisms are
also supplied by Faurecia plants. The frames are built in Bradford, Ontario and San
Luis Potosi, Mexico. The tracks are also supplied by San Luis Potosi, and the recliners
are produced at the Bradford and Flers, France plants.
•
•
•
•
A wide stance, minimal overhang and wheel pushed to the corners
A bold accent line dives across the body side to give the feel
of movement
An integrated spoiler on the rear edge of the roof, and iconic vertical
headlamps that swivel with the steering wheel
18" and 20" wheels
Interior
•
•
•
•
Craftsmanship of hand-cut-and-sewn trim on the instrument panel
in a finely tailored cabin, with integrated center console and ambient
lighting
Pop-up navigation screen with three-dimensional imaging
Power liftgate with adjustable height setting
One year of OnStar
Safety
•
•
•
•
•
•
All-wheel drivetrain is optional
Standard head-curtain and front-seat mounted thorax side air bags
Rollover mitigation sensors
Pedal release system
Front bumper placement more compatible with car bumpers
Designed to meet European pedestrian protection standards
faurecia infos NA • May/June 2009
6 In Short
Help prevent the spread of germs at work
W
ith the recent rise in health
concerns, every employee can take
simple steps to stop the spread of
germs that cause illnesses like the flu. For
more tips, go to www.cdc.gov. Or, in Canada, go
to www.fightflu.ca, a site created by the Public
Health Agency of Canada.
You are advised to:
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth – this is how infection can spread.
• Keep shared surface areas clean –
sometimes germs can live for two or more
hours on surfaces like doorknobs, desks,
tables, tools and buttons. It’s important to
remember to follow the guidelines of 5S
and clean often.
• Wash your hands frequently – washing
with warm water and soap for at least 20
seconds (or about as long as it takes to
sing the ABCs) will remove bacteria and
viruses. It’s the soap and scrubbing action
that removes the germs. Alcohol-based
sanitizer is also an option. Dispensers can
now be found in all Faurecia NAO sites.
• If you get sick, stay home – if you, or
your children, have flu-like symptoms,
stay home and get plenty of rest. Check
with a health care provider as needed.
Keeping your distance from others may
protect them from getting sick. Also, if you
don’t stop and rest, it may take longer for
you to get better.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you
cough or sneeze – use a tissue or cough
or sneeze into your sleeve or crook of your
elbow. Dispose of the tissue right away
and wash your hands after use.
“You should take normal precautions to protect
yourself from the flu,” recommended the Public
Health Agency of Canada. “Our best advice is
for you to wash your hands frequently, cover
coughs and sneezes, and stay home when ill.”
FAQs about the flu
There have been many questions and rumors about the flu, especially since
the outbreak of the H1N1 strain, also called the swine flu.
1
2
3
How close do you have to be to a sick person
to get H1N1 flu?
You can acquire this infection if you’re within the “breathing zone” of a
sick person, which is about three to six feet. But this usually means being
that close to someone in a confined space. We’re not talking about fleeting
contact. We’re not talking about walking past someone in the street. You
need sustained contact.
Could I have contracted it, and the symptoms
just haven’t shown up yet?
The incubation period of the H1N1 flu is one to seven days. If you feel flulike symptoms, go see your health care professional.
Should I get a flu shot to protect myself
from the H1N1 flu?
As of May 1, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection
from the H1N1 flu virus. Health officials do say they are working on a
vaccine for H1N1, to be ready this fall. However, a flu shot is recommended
to protect yourself from other kinds of the flu. This is especially important
for young children and seniors.
Sources: CNN, Associated Press, Centers for Disease Control
faureci•ol•ogy:
FES core principles
The Faurecia Excellence System (FES) is the blueprint for
how the Group operates. It reflects the best practices in
the industry and the global standards of quality that our
customers, partners and employees expect and deserve.
Through FES, Faurecia will achieve continuous
improvement in quality, cost and delivery. It provides a
structured, standardized approach to achieving excellence.
Implementing FES in each and every plant gives us a
formidable advantage in a fiercely competitive and rapidly
changing global marketplace.
Faurecia counts 11 core principles to its Excellence
System.
1. Manage safety
2. Pass only good parts to the next steps
3. Create continuous flow processing conditions
4. Control production through pull and fill up system
5. Challenge takt time
6. Speed-up flows from suppliers through frequent
and mixed deliveries
7. Create stable conditions through leveling
8. Standardize current conditions before changing
9. Develop GAP autonomy
10. Manage daily performance achievement
11. Structure and lead “breakthrough activities”
7
Industry News
Ford Taurus: delivers style,
substance, technology
ll-new for 2010, Ford unveiled the redesigned Taurus full-size sedan to the public’s approval.
Taurus earned the Best of Show award from the Detroit News Readers’ Choice Awards, which
are intended to gauge the opinions of consumers, at this year’s Detroit auto show. It was also
named Best of Show by the public attending the Chicago Auto Show in February.
Taurus features an upscale new design, driving dynamics and class-leading technologies.
“Taurus raises the bar on the full-size sedan segment with an unprecedented offering of technologies
typically reserved for luxury cars. The premium craftsmanship and attention to detail, combined with
outstanding driving experience will redefine what customers should expect in a full-size sedan,” said
Jim Farley, Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
The 2010 Taurus goes on sale this summer, and it features recliners supplied by Faurecia’s Bradford,
Ontario Plant (SPG). The cold end of the exhaust system is produced at the Franklin, Ohio Plant (ESPG).
Peugeot-Citroen appoints
new CEO
The Board of Directors at PSA Peugeot-Citroen
named Philippe Varin the French automaker’s new
CEO, effective June 1. Varin replaces Christian
Streiff, who was removed at the end of March.
The Board said a change of senior leadership
was necessary to deal with “the extraordinary
difficulties” facing the auto industry.
Varin had been CEO of Corus Group Ltd,
formerly knows as British Steel, where he
was credited with reviving the steelmaker and
securing its sale to Tata Steel in 2007. Streiff had
been with PSA since February 2007. Between
March and June, PSA board member Roland
Vardanega was acting as CEO of the automaker.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen is the majority stakeholder
in Faurecia.
Source: AutoBeat Daily Europe
Golf named World Car of
the Year
Dimensions
•
•
•
•
•
Length: 202.9 inches
Width: 76.2 inches
Height: 60.7 inches
Wheelbase: 112.9 inches
Cargo volume: 20.1 cubic feet
Engine
• 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 that delivers 263 hp and 249 lb.-ft of torque
Model Lineup
• SE, SEL and Limited, with front-wheel
drive or optional all-wheel drive
Exterior
• Details are more sculpted and powerful,
with strength found in the powerdome
and new three-bar grille, more
pronounced fenders and fascia, bold
new headlamps and a lower roofline
• Wheels available in 17," 18," 19" or 20"
• New colors include metallic Candy Red,
White Platinum, Steel Blue, Gold Leaf
and Ingot Silver
Interior
•
•
The new interior design is formed with
unbroken lines to provide a seamless
quality and craftsmanship
A new design inside includes a center
stack that flows unbroken through the
instrument panel and down into the
center console
•
•
The door panels use an innovative
texture, with visible stitching, a handcrafted look and allows for two-toning
Multi-contour seats are available for
both driver and passenger, with six-way
lumbar support and a rolling pattern
massage, while the bottom cushion
features active motion
Safety
• Stiffer body construction and octagonal
front frame rails, tunnel rails and
“shotgun” front structural members that
absorb and redirect crash forces away
from the passenger area
• Dual-stage front air bags, side-impact
air bags and safety canopy that protect
in both rollover and side-impact crashes
• Side Protection And Cabin
Enhancement (SPACE) that embeds a
cross car beam in the floor between the
door frames
• Personal Safety System to control air
bag deployment for the front passenger
• AdvanceTrac electronic stability control
• SOS Post-Crash Alert system that
automatically unlocks vehicle doors,
sounds the horn and activates
emergency flashers in the event that
air bags are deployed
At the New York Auto Show in April, the
Volkswagen Golf won the title of World Car of the
Year. It beat out the other finalists, Ford Fiesta and
Toyota iQ. It also beat semi-finalists Honda Fit,
Fiat 500, BMW 7 Series, Audi A4 and Jaguar XF.
All three of the finalists are headed for sale in the
United States.
Faurecia supplies the seat frames for the
Golf. The front seat frames were redesigned for
the new model, as was the seat-back design.
The changes increase the seats’ ability to
absorb major impacts in a crash. The Group also
supplies a new parcel shelf that incorporates
Sommold, a recycled material made of glass
and polypropylene fibers. This environmentally
friendly material provides excellent rigidity, high
shock absorption, significant weight reduction and
impressive acoustic performance.
Ward’s announces Interior of
the Year winners
The 2009 winners of Ward’s Interior of the Year
awards have two key elements in common:
great looks and great value. A total of 11 awards
were presented, narrowed down from a pool of
35 vehicles that have all-new or significantly
upgraded interiors for the new model year.
Those honored are:
• Honda Fit Sport (Economy-priced car)
• Volkswagen CC (Popular-priced car)
• Acura TL (Premium-priced car)
• Nissan 370Z Touring (Sports car)
• Dodge Ram (Popular-priced truck)
• Ford Flex (Premium-priced truck)
• Kia Soul (Grooviest Interior)
• Audi A4 (Best Redesign)
• Ford Fusion Hybrid (Best Graphic Display)
• Lexus RX 450h (Design Harmony)
• Cadillac CTS-V (Best Brand Expression)
“An interior doesn’t have to be expensive
to be good,” said the editor of Ward’s AutoWorld
magazine. “But, it does have to convey a sense
of high-quality craftsmanship and have pleasing
textures and low-gloss surfaces. Electronic
systems have to be intuitive and easy to use ... .”
faurecia infos NA • May/June 2009
8 Spotlight
‘Designed to Sell’
Studio blends art and
science to find simple,
cost-effective solutions
hen you decide to buy a vehicle, you usually have a model or
brand in mind, maybe you’ve done some research. But you
probably won’t make a decision until you actually sit in the
car and drive it.
What helps you make that decision is the design. Art and science
blend together to create a product, and a feeling. The team that helps
find that balance, and sell cars, is Faurecia’s Industrial Design Studio.
The team primarily sketches, designs, improves, tests and creates
products built at Faurecia plants around the region.
Flexible partners
Based at the Auburn Hills, Mich. Technical Center, the team members
are Cedric Caravano, Tony D’Alessandro, Yelena Gonopolskaya, Benjamin
Louis and Corinne Rose. Led by Olivier Boinais, Manager of Industrial
Design for North America, they partner with many departments in
the Interior Systems and Seating Product Groups, like engineering,
development, concept engineering and innovation.
Currently, they are working on acquisition. They want to make sure
the company has a lot of business coming in this year. They are also
supporting a team in Brazil, and seating and interiors acquisitions for
Nissan.
A well-rounded approach
One of their strengths is a global design background and knowledge.
“We are inspired by many things. This inspiration sometimes finds a way
Some of the upcoming
models the team
(right) has worked on
include the Cadillac
SRX, Buick LaCrosse,
Chevrolet Equinox
and Ford Fiesta.
Seated clockwise
from bottom left are:
Tony D’Alessandro,
Olivier Boinais, Cedric
Caravano, Benjamin
Louis, Corinne Rose and
Yelena Gonopolskaya.
into our designs for a vehicle, or leads to another line of thinking that can
lead to an innovation,” said Louis.
“We stay aware of the rest of the design culture, what’s new,
what’s the trend,” said D’Alessandro. “We try to forecast. You have to
take what people want and anticipate what they will want.”
For example, Boinais explained, one innovation came about
because of their background in both seating and interiors. The team
applied some seating ideas to the interiors side. “This could go into
production and it wouldn’t have happened without this well-rounded
knowledge,” he said.
Simple as a spoon
However, as D’Alessandro pointed out, “most of the time, great design
is affordable and simple – like a spoon.”
For instance, on the cluster hood for the Chevrolet Malibu
instrument panel, the team regrouped several parts into one bezel.
They made it easier and cheaper to make.
They are working on a seam innovation, as well. Gonopolskaya
said the team has determined not only that no one else in the industry
is using it, but that it can also save on time and salvage and operating
costs.
“Most of the time you can be sure the product is going to be better
by integrating us into the process,” said Caravano. “We challenge
engineering and they challenge us. We push boundaries together.”
A
designer’s toolbox
“Sometimes all we need is pen and paper,” said Tony D’Alessandro, Industrial
Designer. But in this day and age, the Industrial Design Studio team has a few
more cutting-edge tools that help them manage their projects.
Along with other sketching and modeling software for two- and threedimensional images, they use Patchwork 3D. It starts with models built in
a three-dimensional engineering program, like Alias or CATIA. It creates a
rendering that looks very realistic, like a photo. This photo representation can
be looked at from all sides and can be changed in meetings. Customers can
immediately respond to differences in textures, grains and materials. They can
see the product in a new light.
“It’s like a simulation,” said Benjamin Louis, Industrial Designer. “Patchwork helps us make fast decisions.”
Faurecia infos North America is a bimonthly newsletter published for Faurecia employees in the region. It provides and extends knowledge
about the company, its people and activities. It delivers information about Faurecia’s processes, goals, performance and culture.
May/June 2009. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Printed on recycled paper and uses soy-based, environmentally friendly ink.
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Editor-in-chief: Stacie Tong, Managing Editor: Christina Wootton, Contributing Editor: Marisa Fortuna