Materials and components
At the design stage, based on the results of research and development activities, we select the raw materials and the components that become part of the production process: this is why, to an ever greater extent, our researchers and engineers select eco-compatible materials and substances (recycled, recyclable, of natural origin), for both the exterior and the interior of our vehicles, in order to increase the ability to recycle of each and every vehicle. We have been able to greatly reduce the use of Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and thermosetting polymers, and have promoted technological solutions using a single material, with a view to reducing the number of polymeric families. These criteria are applied throughout our vehicle range. To control and monitor component selection activities, in liaison with other manufacturers, we have developed a shared information network: in keeping with directive 2000/53 we updated the system to be able to optimise car dismantling procedures (IDIS - International Dismantling Information System) and to monitor the substances contained in the materials used (IMDS – International Material Data System). The continuous addition of new elements to the cars may cause an increase in vehicle weight, leading to increased fuel consumption: one of the goals of Engineering & Design is the definition of innovative materials and production processes designed to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and hence its operating costs. This is the line of research we are pursuing regarding the use of new high-strength steels for the vehicle structure – doing away with the need to fit reinforcements to the bodyshell – and the adoption of components in thermoplastic or plastic-metal materials for the moveable parts (tailgate) and the interior modules (facia and seats). Needless to say, these interventions go hand in hand with the development of innovative architectures leading to an optimal exploitation of the characteristics of the chosen materials and the optimisation of forming and assembly processes.