BIW PHILOSOPHY
Giant and innovative EV maker Tesla was the first to invest in large-tonnage cars three years ago.
As you can see from the images of their Model Y, instead of having 70 part numbers, assembly lines, people, potential for mistakes, hidden costs, they have chosen to aggregate 70 pieces into a single reference.
As with all things, there are pros and cons.
Advantages:
Avoid in-line assembly, reduce the number of people, reduce the possibility of errors, do not also manage different suppliers, reduce references and tools
Swantages:
Very high know-how is required for production and tooling projects (currently only Italian manufacturers for machines and tools).
Vantage's strategy for the location in Italy is the same: high performing local suppliers based within a 100km radius, no problem finding well trained people for that job (operators also trained by HPDC university).
LIGHT WEIGHT STRUCTURAL PARTS
There are several vadvantages in the use of lightweight structural parts, including:
Weight reduction:
Lightweight structural parts have a lower weight than traditional steel or iron parts. This means that cars or the means of transport that use them require less energy to move and consume less fuel. This results in cost savings for the vehicle owner and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Better efficiency:
By reducing weight, lightweight structural parts allow for better vehicle efficiency, such as faster acceleration, better braking and better handling.
Better security:
Lightweight structural parts can be designed to better absorb the energy of impacts in the event of a crash, improving passenger and pedestrian safety.
More design options:
The use of lightweight structural parts allows vehicle designers more creative freedom in designing vehicle interiors and exteriors.
In summary, the use of lightweight structural parts brings about a number of important benefits in terms of cost reduction, environmental impact and safety, and represents an intelligent and sustainable choice for vehicle manufacturers.