Ford, GM win top honors in design
Web-posted May 21, 2004
By JOSEPH SZCZESNY
Press Automotive Editor
Vehicles developed by the Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. walked away with the top honors at annual Interiors Show at Cobo Center in Detroit.
The Cadillac T XLR and Ford F-150 were named the "People's Choice" in online voting by all 5,500 attendees who preregistered for 2004 Auto Interiors Show in Detroit, the show's organizers announced Thursday.
"The selection of these particular vehicles is especially noteworthy because both represent a turning point in interior styling, functionality and quality for North American manufacturers," said Doug Hope, group vice president of VNU Expositions, producer of the show.
GM's Cadillac won a separate "Navigation System of the Year" award.
"Our goal with the XLR interior, in keeping with the philosophy of the entire vehicle, was to strike just the right balance between luxury and performance attributes," said David Leone, vehicle chief engineer for Cadillac.
A new study by CSM Worldwide of Novi also said GM, Ford and the Chrysler Group have increased spending on interiors in an effort to keep up with the stylized interiors developed in Europe.
In North America, the automotive interior trim market will grow to more than $10 billion by 2009, according to CSM's research, from $7.5 billion this year. CSM's figures are based on piece-cost estimates and represent the combined market value for the following interior components: door trim panels, floor carpeting, floor consoles, headliners, instrument panels and package trays.
"There is a big push in North America to have interior trim materials, sound quality, and overall fit and finish to equal that of European and Japanese luxury models," said Don Montroy, CSM market analyst, North American Component Forecasts.
Montroy said suppliers and carmakers also will continue to integrate electronic features into traditional interior trim pieces. Jim Padilla, Ford's chief operating officer, also told analysts this week that Ford is insisting on better quality and more for its money from suppliers.
Web-posted May 21, 2004
By JOSEPH SZCZESNY
Press Automotive Editor
Vehicles developed by the Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. walked away with the top honors at annual Interiors Show at Cobo Center in Detroit.
The Cadillac T XLR and Ford F-150 were named the "People's Choice" in online voting by all 5,500 attendees who preregistered for 2004 Auto Interiors Show in Detroit, the show's organizers announced Thursday.
"The selection of these particular vehicles is especially noteworthy because both represent a turning point in interior styling, functionality and quality for North American manufacturers," said Doug Hope, group vice president of VNU Expositions, producer of the show.
GM's Cadillac won a separate "Navigation System of the Year" award.
"Our goal with the XLR interior, in keeping with the philosophy of the entire vehicle, was to strike just the right balance between luxury and performance attributes," said David Leone, vehicle chief engineer for Cadillac.
A new study by CSM Worldwide of Novi also said GM, Ford and the Chrysler Group have increased spending on interiors in an effort to keep up with the stylized interiors developed in Europe.
In North America, the automotive interior trim market will grow to more than $10 billion by 2009, according to CSM's research, from $7.5 billion this year. CSM's figures are based on piece-cost estimates and represent the combined market value for the following interior components: door trim panels, floor carpeting, floor consoles, headliners, instrument panels and package trays.
"There is a big push in North America to have interior trim materials, sound quality, and overall fit and finish to equal that of European and Japanese luxury models," said Don Montroy, CSM market analyst, North American Component Forecasts.
Montroy said suppliers and carmakers also will continue to integrate electronic features into traditional interior trim pieces. Jim Padilla, Ford's chief operating officer, also told analysts this week that Ford is insisting on better quality and more for its money from suppliers.
