In recent years the motor industry and its product, the motor vehicle, have undergone considerable improvements. These were essentially characterised by continuous further development, the intensification of international competition, but above all by the increased demands made by the customers, such as for increased vehicle safety, lower pollution, lower energy consumption in the manufacture and operation of the vehicle, increased luxury and so on. Although great advances have been made in many areas, the near future will see a new wave of innovations similar to that which occurred in the early eighties. The reasons for this are clear. On the one hand microelectronics, mechatronics and telematics are opening up new possibilities; and on the other numerous external imperatives are leading to new approaches.
Abstract