EoW July 2009

Feature

Photo courtesy of Maschinenfabrik Nieho GmbH & Co KG

Wire products for the automotive industry Traditionally, automotive wiring has meant round wire harnesses for conventional steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technologies. While these continue to serve, and to evolve, wiring for the automotive industry increasingly is required to sustain electronic content that advances with each new model car. Designers and manufacturers of automotive wiring systems know that as much time and thought must be applied to the electronics, especially fibre optic components, as to electrical distribution. Anything less would put the vehicle at a competitive disadvantage with a generation of shoppers who have been encouraged to take marvels for granted. Let the seller beware. Fortunately, the development of feature content in new cars is very well supported by a wire industry with long experience in cost-effective integration of improvements for higher value: telephones, ambient illumination, multimedia systems, rear-seat entertainment; remote keyless entry and tyre-pressure monitoring. These and many other electrical and electronic comfort and convenience features that help to sell cars – together with their next-generation enhancements, now at the drawing-board stage – have something in common. They all depend for their appeal and their dependability on superb products and services such as those reviewed in the pages of this section.

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EuroWire – July 2009