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Feature
EuroWire – July 2009
52
Wire products
for the
automotive
industry
Traditionally, automotive wiring has meant round wire harnesses for conventional
steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technologies. While these continue to serve, and to evolve,
wiring for the automotive industry increasingly is required to sustain electronic content
that advances with each new model car. Designers and manufacturers of automotive wiring
systems know that as much time and thought must be applied to the electronics, especially
fibre optic components, as to electrical distribution. Anything less would put the vehicle at
a competitive disadvantage with a generation of shoppers who have been encouraged to
take marvels for granted. Let the seller beware.
Fortunately, the development of feature content in new cars is very well supported by a wire
industry with long experience in cost-effective integration of improvements for higher value:
telephones, ambient illumination, multimedia systems, rear-seat entertainment; remote keyless
entry and tyre-pressure monitoring. These and many other electrical and electronic comfort and
convenience features that help to sell cars – together with their next-generation enhancements,
now at the drawing-board stage – have something in common. They all depend for their appeal
and their dependability on superb products and services such as those reviewed in the pages
of this section.
Photo courtesy of Maschinenfabrik Nieho GmbH & Co KG