Yanfeng Automotive Interiors to showcase new ID 16 concept at IAA 2015

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the recently set up joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co and Johnson Controls and the world's leading supplier of automotive interiors, is to have the global premiere of its Innovation Demonstrator 2016 (ID 16) concept car on September 16 at the 2015 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt next month.

With approximately 30 product innovations between predevelopment and series production, YFAI says it is creating a new experience for future vehicle generations in the concept car interior.

"We will showcase our new product portfolio for the global market. This will be our first public appearance since the launch of the Yanfeng Automotive Interiors joint venture in July. We also will show our ID 16 concept car. It demonstrates our vision of driving in 2025, and showcases our global team's endless innovative capabilities and enthusiasm for the vehicle interior of the future," says Johannes Roters, chief executive officer, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors.

The concept car features more than 30 product innovations and ready-to-market technologies that meet consumers' growing needs to utilise drive time comfortably and effectively as autonomous vehicles emerge in popularity. The cockpit demonstrates the potential for interior customisation and differentiation. The interior uses multi-colored LED ambient lighting and the high-quality appearance of the surfaces also extends to the instrument panel with well crafted leather-wrapping techniques. Here a new process has been applied for the first time, which enables direct back-foaming of leather – a first for the automotive industry.

The product developers at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors have applied more creativity to the door panel, by using a heated area to turn the surface of the armrest into a unique functional element, for example.

Optimising storage space
Driven by the demand for smarter storage options in vehicle interiors, the ID 16 has a variable, central storage compartment in the floor console that can be individually configured. The development of this versatile storage space solution focuses on ergonomic operability, optimum use of the storage space available and reducing component complexity. This, says YFAI, helps address OEMs' needs for lightweight solutions and reduces the weight of this console by 30 percent. The individual organisation system ensures secure storage of important items that drivers may wish to have within easy reach en route, without taking up space in the passenger compartment.

"Our ID 16 concept satisfies modern-day consumer needs for design and comfort in the age of digital mobility. It also shows how we are focused on the future needs of autonomous driving. The ID 16 is our response to the growing demand in global automotive markets for sustainable, cost-effective premium solutions for the luxury segment – with the goal of cascading our ideas across several vehicle segments," says Han Hendriks, vice-president, Advanced Product Development & Sales, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. "At the same time, our innovations offer automakers new ways to differentiate their vehicle interiors and create a better overall driving experience for end consumers."

In addition to innovations in instrument panels, cockpits, floor consoles and overhead consoles, the company also is presenting door panels at the IAA, which, thanks to illuminated patterns on fabric or perforated leather, offer new and unique interior design options. 

Sketch: obs/Yanfeng Automotive Interiors