2019 D Motherson - Business SA Design for Export Awards
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
Celebrating
South Australia's
Design-led
Exporters
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AWARDS > 2019 Gallery
2019 COMMENDATION
BUSINESS:
Motherson Innovations
PRODUCT:
Sports Car Door and Fascia Finisher
AWARD CATEGORY:
Product or Service Design
INDUSTRY SECTOR:
Product - Automotive/Transport
DESIGN:
Motherson Innovations
EXPORTING to:
30 countries
1: BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
This project involved developing two automotive interior ambient lighting components deploying our LiteChrome technology - The hidden-till-lit dashboard Fascia Finisher and the hidden-till-lit Door Finisher which utilise a combination of our patented Advanced Surface Coatings and light pipe technology.
2: DESIGN CHALLENGE:
A sports car brand based in the UK was looking to add an innovative, luxurious feel to their new 2019 car model. The timeline was short, so part of the challenge was to deliver a solution in an extremely tight timeframe. This company doesn't follow traditions and wanted something that would "wow" customers. Motherson's design and engineering strengths in innovative lighting and thin-film coatings solutions were pushed to the limit when these ambient lighting products were developed.
3: DESIGN SOLUTION:
Motherson's solution was an amazing feat of technology in producing two interior trim parts with six-colour ambient lighting hidden behind the satin chrome and displayed in an intricate pattern. All of the colours are selectable from the vehicle's central touch screen. The result fully addresses the design brief key words - innovative, luxurious and non-traditional. The design allows for an illumination pattern that is customisable.
4: DESIGN IMPACT:
We have developed a very positive relationship with this premium car brand who were a little hesitant initially to work with a company on the other side of the planet. Through this project we have established and proven ourselves to be a preferred supplier, already quoting on a number of additional products using this emerging technology. This is the first application of this technology which has been developed and patented in collaboration with local universities over recent years and provides an opportunity to sustain what has been a predominantly automotive supplier in a country that no longer makes production cars.
5: OTHER KEY FEATURES:
We are proud to be supplying to this well-known premium car manufacturer in Europe. As mentioned above, they were hesitant to work with our company due to the long distance and time zone differences. We were able to overcome that with an extremely dedicated team that worked hours that suited the client's needs, making them available when required. After this project, their feedback has exceeded all expectations; they have advised that we are one of their best new product suppliers from an engineering partner perspective. We have been exporting from South Australia since 1944 and we support long-term, local employment. The average number of years employed with us is 14 years, with over 161 of our 317 employees serving for over 10 years. Our export success contributes to the growth of South Australia's economy and puts Adelaide on the map when it comes to innovation and new products. We work with a number of other local suppliers who have contributed components to this project.
