Posts Tagged ‘Car Makers’

Magna Lends a Hand to Provide Ingenious Seating For Chrysler Minivans

January 27th, 2010



Car makers are always known for coming up with radical new ideas to provide better convenience and comfort to their customers just like in the development of the EBC Redstuff brake pads. In the development of such technologies, car makers usually enlist the help of other companies. Case in point is the development of an innovative seating arrangement for DaimlerChrysler minivans. The cutting edge design of the seats in the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country is developed with the help of Intier Automotive Seating which is an operating unit of Magna International Incorporated. The two models from the DaimlerChrysler family boast of a relatively new technology in terms of their seating arrangements.

The two minivans showcased at this year’s North American International Auto Show both have the Swivel ‘n Go technology developed by Intier Automotive Seating. The technology allows the second row of seating to pivot a hundred and eighty degrees to face the third row of seats. The patented technology allows better comfort and relaxation by allowing the occupants of the second row seat to face those who are in the third row of seats especially when having a chat. A removable table is also a part of the technologically advanced seating arrangement. The swiveling seats can also be removed which means that added cargo space can be provided easily.

The swiveling chairs rotate outward which makes it easier for occupants to enter and exit the vehicle. It also makes the installation of a child safety seat much easier.

The cargo capacity that a minivan is known for is evident in the two Chrysler vehicles. This is because of the fact that the third row of seats can be folded down by a single touch of a button. This feature easily increases the cargo capacity of both the Town & Country and Grand Caravan minivans. The fold-down operation takes only a matter of fifteen seconds to be completed is also another radical technology for a minivan. The versatility of the seating arrangement is evident in the number of ways which the third row of seats can be folded down. Another innovative feature that the third row seat offers is an obstacle-detection system. This means that the seats will not fold down if an object or a person is in its way.

The dedication of Intier Automotive Seating in developing this radical seating arrangement is stressed by Jeff Lambert, Intier Automotive Seating Chief Engineer for the Chrysler Group minivan seats, in his statement. “Consumers today are spending more and more time in their vehicles, ultimately placing a greater emphasis on comfort and convenience. The Swivel ‘n Go seating system, an industry-first in the North American market, raises the bar by offering a family room on wheels.”

The parent company of Intier Automotive Seating which is Magna International Incorporated is one of the leading automotive suppliers in the world. The company performs a variety of services for the automotive industry which includes designing, developing and manufacturing of automotive systems. The company also engineers and assembles complete vehicles that go on sale mostly to original equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks in the North American region. The company also covers a wide array of services like the designing, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interiors. They also specialize in the production of plastic body panels as well as powertrain and drivetrain systems for vehicles. The Intier Automotive Seating is their division which develops complete seating systems and seating mechanisms for their customers in the automotive industry.

By: Anthony Fontanelle

Talking About Auto Shows

January 9th, 2010



Auto shows are becoming popular in today’s times. They are so popular that many people who have the means and inclination to do so travel all over the country just to attend an event. But these auto shows are not just about flashing some good-looking models or showing off the high motor combustion. The real value is the ability to bring the knowledge of business to a number of potential consumers. In other words, the success of an auto show lies not in the presentation of the vehicles, but upon the business that it attracts throughout the show.

Car shows take place all over the world. The Frankfurt auto show that focuses on German engineering is considered to be the biggest show in Europe. Here you will find almost every European car manufacturer and the show has also attracted a number of Chinese car makers. The Chinese brands are trying to enter the Europe and US car market, which is why they are making their presence known at the Frankfurt auto show.

The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show that takes place in the Swiss city of Geneva. This year, the Geneva -Motor show took place March 4th-16th in 2008. The Geneva motor show is a niche event and here, niche players get an opportunity to showcase their own motors and marvel at the many different displays available.

If you consider Paris, it is all about design. The auto show in Paris is dominated by French car makers like Renault, Peugeot, Citroen and others. Here you will get to see some of the quirkiest designs that exist around the world and there are also a number of launches that take place at the Paris show as well.

The Detroit auto show showcases all American brands with big-ticket launches. There are also shows to be seen in the cities of Los Angeles and New York. Auto makers from the above three mentioned cities; enjoy the limelight while they are displaying their most interesting debutants and their exhibits.

The Shanghai motor show has its own importance because of the growth and development of the Chinese market. This is one of the main reasons why the Auto Expo has expanded in recent years. The expo has become an important event, with the help of India and its remarkable growth story about its component and small car expertise.

The Tokyo show, which is also known as the tech show, gives people an opportunity to become familiar with Japanese technology. The local car makers come up with their own surprise launches and although Tokyo is not known for their big brand launches, the show is still full of an exciting and magnificent spectacle of cars.

The Auto Expo of 2008, which was held on January 10th, is quickly becoming one of the largest automotive expositions in Asia. Big name automakers got an opportunity to display their cars. The impressive list included international auto majors like Volkswagen, General MOTORS, Toyota, Ford, BMW, Fiat, Honda, Audi, Porsche, and Suzuki. Also, Indian vehicle manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland among others, displayed impressive range of concept cars and new car products.

By: Brenda Williams