(from Valmet Automotive Press Release) The number of specialty car models and derivatives on the worldwide car markets is increasing. Cars are made for even more narrowly limited target groups, and therefore the number of small series cars is increasing.
Deviation of the body architecture of the main stream models is typical for these vehicles. Advanced light-weight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber are often utilized. The yearly production volumes start from some thousands of units. The big challenge for the OEMs is to serve well the customers looking for individuality, without disturbing the efficiency of higher volume production.
Valmet Automotive has excellent operational readiness to serve the OEMs on this growing market segment. Also with smaller volumes the OEM customer can profit from the volume production benefits, like cost efficiency and constant high quality.
The RaceAbout 2005 sports car is presented on the Valmet Automotive stand at the Geneva Motor Show as an example of what a modern small series sports car could be. It is a sporty roadster with an all- aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, stainless steel sub-frames and ultra-light carbon fiber panels. The light-weight body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car.
The RaceAbout 2005 was designed and assembled by Finnish automotive engineering and design students at the Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Valmet Automotive has been a major partner in the project.
Valmet Automotive continuously cooperates with research and educational institutes. This lays ground for future innovations and promotes the development of local automotive industry knowledge. At the same time it ensures the availability of well-skilled engineering workforce also in the future.
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