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YFAI received the NRW.Invest Award 2018

Awards
Neuss, Germany
26/06/2018
YFAI received the NRW.Invest Award 2018
Neuss location honored as a key innovation and competence center

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) received the coveted NRW.Invest Award. The award presented by the Economic Development Agency (″Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft″) of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Invest, honors exemplary investments by international companies in NRW. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, State Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, was also present at the formal award ceremony.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) received the coveted NRW.Invest Award. The award presented by the Economic Development Agency (″Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft″) of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Invest, honors exemplary investments by international companies in NRW. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, State Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, was also present at the formal award ceremony.

At the 14th presentation of the NRW.Invest Awards, Minister Pinkwart presented the prestigious award to YFAI and three other international companies. During the event, Minister Pinkwart and Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.Invest, particularly underscored the commitment of the award winners to securing jobs in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the company’s courage to tap into new business segments and provide significant impulses for innovation.

″We have always known North Rhine-Westphalia as a location that provides room for development and innovation and we are happy to invest here,” said Joseph Lee, Vice President and Deputy General Manager Europe & South Africa. ″At the beginning of the year, we opened our new innovation center in Neuss, where among other things, we are working on vehicle interiors of the future″, added Joseph Lee.  He accepted the award on behalf of YFAI during a formal ceremony in the Düsseldorf K21 Ständehaus.

In addition to the new innovation center, whose core focus is on industrial design, consumer and market research, ″user experience″, as well as product and process innovation, additional investments in the Neuss location were also showcased. A short video was shown during an evening presentation featuring YFAI’s European headquarters. The Neuss location has approximately 600 employees who are distributed between the main building, the airbag test center, the prototype construction department and the innovation center.

In April of this year, representatives of the Economic Development Agency and its Greater China Service Center visited YFAI’s European headquarters in Neuss. Accompanied by Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer at YFAI, their visit included a tour of the innovation center, where they obtained information about the company and the location.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors awarded as a top employer

Neuss, Germany
14/02/2018
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors awarded as a top employer
Automotive supplier is among the best employers in Germany

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the world leader in automotive interiors, has received certification as a Top Employer 2018 for its good working conditions and HR management. The independent Top Employers’ Institute based in the Netherlands reviewed the automotive supplier’s HR processes and in particular its talent strategy. The award also approved of the company’s management development.

The global automotive supplier received the desirable seal of approval for its German locations. These include the European headquarters in Neuss and the two plants at Lüneburg and Neustadt. This is not the first award in the young company’s history. In the previous two years the Top Employers’ Institute in Shanghai also gave YFAI an award as one of the best Chinese employers of the year. The company’s locations in the US and Slovakia also received awards at the same time as Germany.

“Our company was established in July 2015 and have since been working continuously to involve our employees and their ideas in order to create an ideal working environment,” said Roger Schneider, Human Resources Director Europe & South Africa for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “We are delighted to have received this award for Germany too and see it as an incentive to continue working on our reputation as an outstanding employer.” In Germany the company employs 2,400 people of approximately 9,000 in Europe.

Steffen Neefe, Country Manager DACH at the Top Employers’ Institute, declared: “Our analysis shows that Yanfeng Automotive Interiors offers good conditions for the employees and it also supports and promotes the talent at all organizational levels. Yanfeng Automotive Interiors therefore confirms its fundamental commitment to sustainable and competitive HR management.”

The key element of the Top Employers’ certification program: all participating companies go through a common analysis process and must meet high requirements in different categories. These include talent strategy, HR planning, onboarding, training and development, performance management, management development, career and succession planning, compensation and benefits as well as corporate culture. The responses and documents are finally checked by an independent organization.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors honors its suppliers in Europe

Awards
Neuss, Germany
08/02/2018
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors honors its suppliers in Europe
15 top suppliers receive awards for outstanding performance

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) recognized the outstanding performance of its European suppliers with the European Supplier Award. A total of 15 suppliers yesterday received awards in various categories at YFAI’s European headquarters in Neuss.

YFAI awards the prize for its European suppliers in six categories to companies from the plastics, resins, chemicals, foams, trim, and metal components industries. The categories the suppliers were rated on were quality, cost, customer satisfaction, development, technology and innovation, as well as service. Depending on the total number of points achieved, the companies were presented with a “Supplier of the Year,” “Distinguished Supplier” or “Supplier Excellence” award in various categories.

“Our annual award recognizes the outstanding performance of our best partners”, said James Bos, Vice President Global Procurement for YFAI. “Our suppliers play an important role in our success. Therefore we want to recognize their performance with these awards.”

BASF from Germany, a leading supplier of primary components, systems, and specialties made from polyurethane for the global market, is delighted to have been awarded “Supplier of the Year” for the second time in succession.

The “Distinguished Supplier” Award went to five international suppliers: Beaulieu Fibres International from Belgium, SFS Group Austria GmbH from Austria, and Mürdter Metall- und Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH from Germany, as well as the two Chinese companies Everwill Industrial Ltd. and Xin Point Corporation.

Nine suppliers received the “Supplier Excellence” Award for technological innovation, service, quality, and customer satisfaction. Polyvlies Franz Beyer GmbH is a German company that is pleased with the recognition of its performance through the Technology Innovation Award. The fiber mat supplier from North Rhine-Westphalia has over 160 years of experience in the textile industry and alongside the innovation team at YFAI developed glass fibers and visible natural fibers for use in door panels. “For us this fantastic recognition of our work is also an incentive to do even better,” explained Ludger Löbbers, Managing Director at Polyvlies.

One Chinese company, Sunway Automotive Industry Co., Ltd., and three German companies received awards in the “Service” category. They include Polydesign Systems, Halung GmbH & Co. KG, and Müller-Technik GmbH. The “Supplier Excellence” Award in the “Quality” category went to Czech manufacturer Mürdter Dvořák, lisovna, spol. s r.o., while two German companies, ISO Flock GmbH and ETG Elastomer Technik Gedern GmbH, along with Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z o.o. from Poland, received the award in the “Customer Satisfaction” category.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors opens new innovation center in Neuss

Corporate
Neuss, Germany
07/02/2018
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors opens new innovation center in Neuss
Bundling competencies at a new location

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interiors, today opened a new innovation center at the Neuss location. The space will house approximately 40 employees working on different disciplines relating to the vehicle interior of the future in this more than 2,550 square meter location.

Forty of the total 600 YFAI employees in Neuss have moved. The objective of the new innovation center, which is located close to the site of the European headquarters, is to bring together all of the different functions of the innovation team under one roof. These include consumer and market research, as well as industrial design, product and process innovation, and user experience. In addition to the traditional interiors business of door panels, floor consoles, and instrument panels, the company is also focused on the interior of the future, which is increasingly characterized by the use of new, innovative materials and technologies. These include, for example, functional, smart, or adaptive interior surfaces that enable a new style, user experience, and interior function.

“We aspire to actively design the mobility of tomorrow, which is characterized by such global mega-trends as autonomous driving, electromobility, and car-sharing, as well as new players and technologies, rather than simply responding to significant changes in the automotive industry,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. “With the new location we want to give our multi-disciplinary teams more space and also ensure improved cooperation.”

The new building offers the company’s creative teams room to stretch out and supports transparent and efficient working. It includes a new, spacious showroom for product innovations and the company’s concept cars.

In total, the Yanfeng Automotive Interiors innovation team has approximately 150 employees working globally in four innovation centers. In addition to Neuss, they are also found in Shanghai (China), Holland (Michigan, USA), and Sunnyvale (California) which is located in Silicon Valley.

We opened our new innovation center in Neuss

Events
Neuss, Germany
06/02/2018
We opened our new innovation center in Neuss
Bundling our competencies

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) today opened a new innovation center at the Neuss location. The space will house approximately 40 employees working on different disciplines relating to the vehicle interior of the future in this more than 2,550 square meter location.

Forty of the total 600 YFAI employees in Neuss have moved. The objective of the new innovation center, which is located close to the site of the European headquarters, is to bring together all of the different functions of the innovation team under one roof. These include consumer and market research, as well as industrial design, product and process innovation, and user experience. In addition to the traditional interiors business of door panels, floor consoles, and instrument panels, the company is also focused on the interior of the future, which is increasingly characterized by the use of new, innovative materials and technologies. These include, for example, functional, smart, or adaptive interior surfaces that enable a new style, user experience, and interior function.

“We aspire to actively design the mobility of tomorrow, which is characterized by such global mega-trends as autonomous driving, electromobility, and car-sharing, as well as new players and technologies, rather than simply responding to significant changes in the automotive industry,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. “With the new location we want to give our multi-disciplinary teams more space and also ensure improved cooperation.”

The new building offers the company’s creative teams room to stretch out and supports transparent and efficient working. It includes a new, spacious showroom for product innovations and the company’s concept cars.

In total, the Yanfeng Automotive Interiors innovation team has approximately 150 employees working globally in four innovation centers. In addition to Neuss, they are also found in Shanghai (China), Holland (Michigan, USA), and Sunnyvale (California) which is located in Silicon Valley.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors opens second production plant in the Czech Republic

Corporate
Planá nad Lužnicí, Czech Republic
08/06/2017
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors opens second production plant in the Czech Republic
Global leader in automotive interiors invests and recruits further in CEE

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interior solutions, celebrates the opening of its new production plant in South Bohemia.
Together with high-ranking officials and industry representatives, the state-of-the-art production facilities in Planá nad Lužnicí were unveiled today. As a new employer in the region, the company is looking to recruit up to 500 new employees over the next few years. ​

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors opens new production plant in the Czech Republic.

 

"As the market leader in global automotive interiors, we have very strong business growth now and in the future. We decided to further invest in our European locations and our manufacturing network in the Czech Republic.
We are pleased to celebrate the grand opening of our new plant in Planá nad Lužnicí today,” said Johannes Roters, Chief Executive Officer for YFAI.

The new production plant in South Bohemia is established in Planá nad Lužnicí – near to Tabor. With its high-tech manufacturing equipment and operational expertise, the plant will produce instrument panels and door panels for passenger cars. “With Planá nad Lužnicí we have set up additional capacity to our existing production network with state-of-the-art technology in Eastern Central Europe. We will now gradually start to ramp up production and will be able to robustly start operations and mass production by early 2018,” said Jochen Heier, Vice President & General Manager Europe & South Africa for YFAI.
During today’s opening celebration and ribbon-cutting event, YFAI’s global management was joined by Czech political and public stakeholders and automotive industry representatives.

The Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic, and guest of honor,
H.E. Mrs MA Keqing, stated in her speech, “Successful business relations depend on a variety of economic and political factors. We appreciate the stable relations between the Czech Republic and the People’s Republic of China, which allows companies to expand and grow, combining the best of both countries.”

Natural fiber technology from Yanfeng Automotive Interiors reflects the spirit of the times

Frankfurt, Germany
15/09/2017
Natural fiber technology from Yanfeng Automotive Interiors reflects the spirit of the times
Environmentally friendly innovations in lightweight construction thanks to natural fibers

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interiors, will showcase process-optimized interior technologies at the IAA 2017. Megatrends such as sustainability, personalization and the defining spirit of future mobility requirements are reflected in the premium lightweight solutions. By combining visible natural fiber decor with modern design, YFAI is creating an interior decorative trend.

Megatrends such as individualization, shifting values, technical and scientific progress, scarcity of resources and climate change are having a particular effect on developments in the automotive industry as well. The trend towards lightweight construction is still proving a driver of process and product innovation in automotive engineering in 2017.

As we move towards autonomous driving, the vehicle interior is becoming the next living space. This makes an attractive finish with surfaces made of sustainable materials more relevant than ever. YFAI has developed a technology that makes visible natural fibers an attractive choice: Customized or tasteful decorative surfaces of visible natural fibers for door panels that offer a great deal of flexibility in the design process. There are no limits in series production to the degree of personalization and differentiation, with the automaker free to select the lightweight natural fiber surfaces of its choice.

“Natural fibers have been used in the automotive sector since the car was invented. Nowadays, the combination of lightweight construction and reduced complexity, individualization and shifting values is giving a fresh boost to the use of visible natural fibers. With these innovative surfaces, you also get the visible quality of the fiber finish, the visual impression of the design and a pleasurable feel when you run your hand across them. We are creating the next living space — an all-round feel-good interior,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. The use of renewable and natural raw materials as a sustainable alternative to plastics is fully in step with what the young generation in particular is looking for. YFAI is presenting the recyclable, artistically styled, natural fiber center sections of the door panel in both a natural look and trendy designs.

Shifting values: Individualization, electric mobility and shared mobility

“We are experiencing a shift in values towards greater personalization and individualization,” explained Han Hendriks. YFAI is working closely with an institute for psychological market research, which regularly analyzes trends among future generations of motorists. “By using alternative forms of mobility in particular, such as car sharing and electric cars, drivers want to help protect the environment as a whole while still feeling hip and secure,” said Hendriks, in reference to a recent consumer study. YFAI has incorporated these insights into the values of future mobility customers into its development of the visible natural fibers.

European debut: CHyM Eco-Lite now as an instrument panel

The decision falls to the manufacturers and consumers: For those who find unadulterated natural fiber paneling without a skin too progressive a surface, CHyM Eco-Lite from YFAI is a lightweight wrapping solution. CHyM (compression hybrid molding) is based on a lightweight support structure which replaces the plastic substrate with a lightweight natural fiber mat, lowering the weight of the support structure alone by 20 percent compared with conventional parts. YFAI will present an instrument panel manufactured entirely using the CHyM process for the first time at the IAA 2017. Around half of the material used consists of renewable fibers, such as hemp, flax and kenaf.

The XiM18 concept vehicle as a CHyM scale model

CHyM technology can reduce the weight in door panels by around 40 percent and the mass in instrument panels by another 20 percent. Other panels, such as the side panels of the center console, could also conceivably be produced as lightweight elements using the CHyM process. YFAI will showcase a scale model of the “eXperience in Motion” (XiM18) at the IAA, illustrating the weight savings theoretically achievable in a compact crossover when CHyM is used for all suitable parts. This design approach can reduce the weight in the vehicle interior by over three kilograms.

The XiM18 concept with CHyM Eco-Lite is presented to a professional audience during the YFAI press conference on September 13, 2017. YFAI gives the visible, natural fiber surfaces their European debut in various door panels at its booth in Hall 5.1, B26..

Please visit our IAA microsite or follow us online:
http://www.yfai.com/the-next-living-space

YFAI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YFautointeriors

#ExperienceInMotion #NextLivingSpace

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors brings surface sensitivity to the interiors of future vehicles

Frankfurt, Germany
14/09/2017
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors brings surface sensitivity to the interiors of future vehicles
More functionality, emotion and freedom of design in interiors

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interiors, is a pioneer in the development of new materials for vehicle interiors. At the IAA, with the activeSkin concept, the company presents its vision of integrating intuitive controls into vehicle interiors, which blur the boundaries between the digital and analog worlds. This new development concept enables the display of data on soft surfaces. Functional and decorative surfaces in vehicle interiors will increasingly merge in the future.

YFAI has expertise in the integration of technologies into all kinds of surfaces, whether plastic, wood and natural fibers, leather, or metal decorative surfaces. With the new activeSkin concept development, the integration of functions is extended to include textile surfaces. The special feature of this new technology is that soft, textile-covered surfaces are now able to interact with vehicle passengers and display visual information. As a result, surfaces which previously only had a decorative function will become touch-sensitive control surfaces in the interiors of future vehicles.

“The future generation of surface is more intelligent than ever. We can simply move our hands over a fabric-covered surface in the car and an interactive surface or dynamic ambient decorative lighting appears. The surfaces interact with us,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. “This is impressive technology.”

activeSkin from YFAI maximizes freedom of design

New levels of design freedom for interiors can be realized with activeSkin. The old design principle “form follows function“ will be completely redefined with this new concept development. In the future, car interiors will increasingly have the atmosphere of a Next Living Space, with surfaces which are not only decorative and have a pleasant feel, but are also fully interactive.

“We offer functionality on demand, which is only visible when it is needed. With this, we have the possibility of personalization functions into interior surfaces,” said Hendriks. The activeSkin technology enables a freedom on interaction design. The quality and elegance with which the imaging and data transfer is implemented is convincing. “With activeSkin, we can achieve a 3D effect with a surprising sense of depth,” explained Hendriks.

The trend towards shared mobility and autonomous driving are fueling the development process

This new technology is especially interesting for use with shared mobility business models. The digital content of personal apps, online profiles or personal devices will be synchronized immediately on entering the vehicle. Applications, images or lighting effects are available to the driver – ultimately everything which supports their lifestyle and personal needs and which can produce an individual interior experience. With activeSkin, YFAI makes the interior into the Next Living Space. Even in level 3 to level 4 autonomous vehicles, a wide range of options are available.

What was recently a vision for the future could become part of our mobile reality by 2022.

Please visit our IAA microsite or follow us online:
http://www.yfai.com/the-next-living-space

YFAI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YFautointeriors

#ExperienceInMotion #NextLivingSpace

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors collaborates with key innovative companies to create the next living space

Frankfurt, Germany
13/09/2017
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors collaborates with key innovative companies to create the next living space
Product and technology portfolio transformation

Disruptive trends, including electric vehicles, autonomous driving, mobility services and new tech mobility OEMs are driving rapid change in the automotive industry. To address this, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interiors, is executing a comprehensive, forward-looking product and technology portfolio transformation, which includes partnerships with key innovative companies.

To further enhance YFAI’s position as a leader in automotive interiors, and to align with the rapid pace of the industry, the company is executing a comprehensive forward-looking product and technology portfolio transformation. This transformation focuses on YFAI’s core products, adjacent products, innovative products and technologies, and interior integration.

“We believe that forming strategic partnerships with innovative companies in and out of the industry helps us address rapidly changing trends and to serve as a single source for interior integration,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. The company recently signed new agreements with several innovative companies in the area of wood and aluminum.

About Lenderink Technologies

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors collaborates with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Lenderink Technologies, a well-respected provider of wood veneers and solutions. This agreement is for cooperation in the field of authentic automotive wood interior surfaces and technologies. With more than 40 years of experience, Lenderink Technologies is a diverse and sustainable provider of authentic wood veneers and the associated manufacturing solution technologies. With this new relationship, both parties are drawing on the market trend towards the increasing consumer demand for sustainable, luxurious, authentic wood surfaces. They will provide comprehensive and sustainable authentic wood solutions for automakers.

„Lenderink Technologies is an industry leader for wood surfaces. Consumers have a desire for more authentic materials in the interior,” said Johannes Roters, CEO for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. „The combination of both companies’ expertise and global network for the integration of this technology into vehicle interiors, provides our customers with unprecedented value anywhere in the world.“

“We are pleased to collaborate with Yanfeng Automotive Interiors on their vision of the automotive interior of today and in the future”, said Tom Lenderink, CEO of Lenderink Technologies Inc.

About Gabrijel Aluminium

YFAI also signed a strategic partnership with Gabrijel Aluminium, a global manufacturer of technical aluminum components, based in Grosuplje, Slovenia. This partnership agreement is focused on cooperating in the field of automotive aluminum interior surfaces and technologies. With the new partnership, both companies are drawing on the market trend towards the increasing demand for authentic aluminum decorative and functional surfaces.

„As a provider of high-quality aesthetic and technical aluminum products, and with more than 50 years of experience, Gabrijel Aluminium is the best possible partner in this field,“ said Johannes Roters, CEO for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. „Our combined expertise and global network will provide our customers unrivaled value and execution in any region.“

„We offer a wide range of high-quality aluminium products, including a selection of technical and decorative components as specified by our customers. With the integration expertise of Yanfeng Automotive Interiors and the experience and innovative approach from both companies, we support our customers with the best possible solution from idea to delivery of a quality product“, said Andrej Gabrijel, CEO of Gabrijel Aluminum.

Both companies look forward to providing new and compelling aluminum interior solutions for customers.

Please visit our IAA microsite or follow us online:
http://www.yfai.com/the-next-living-space

YFAI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YFautointeriors

#ExperienceInMotion #NextLivingSpace

About Lenderink Technologies Inc.:
Lenderink Technologies Inc. has been providing products and solutions for over 45 years. Their special focus is on Wood Veneers, Dry Film Adhesives and Clear Film Overlays.
Lenderink products and designs are found in Automotive, Architecture, Musical Instruments, Marine, Aircraft and Deco Wall and Furniture components. Practical design, processes and creative function are a benchmark of the Lenderink Entrepreneur Spirit that is always sensitive to the environment and its people.
For more information, please visit www.Lenderink.com.

The Yanfeng Automotive Interiors XiM18 makes European premiere at IAA 2017

FRANKFURT, Germany
13/09/2017
The Yanfeng Automotive Interiors XiM18 makes European premiere at IAA 2017
YFAI’s XiM18 is re-defining The Next Living Space

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interior solutions, has unveiled its eXperience in Motion (XiM18) concept car at the IAA International Motor Show today. Presented for the first time in Europe, the XiM18 showcases the way people experience vehicle interiors, if they no longer have to drive. It is designed to enable the use of four different interior modes: Drive, Family, Meeting and Lounge, enabling the vehicle to be used in various ways, by multiple people. With this new concept the company supports the next generation of electric and autonomous driving cars.

In times of new forms of car ownership and shared mobility, a unique product look, feel and function through seamless integration of interior surfaces and personalized human-machine-interface is what occupants look for. XiM18 combines a multitude of new technologies for cockpits and instrument panels, as well as advancements in pillar trim, lighting and overhead module integration. In addition, smart solutions for an enhanced user experience with floor consoles and door panels are combined with YFAI’s unique excellence in materials and process innovations. The elegant design of the XiM18 features leather trim, in hues of light blue to medium gray, neatly covering a full piano black surface with copper highlights.

“In the future, once collapsible steering wheels will be considered the new normal since the driver will no longer have to steer the vehicle”, said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for YFAI. “The car will evolve into the next living space for driver and passengers alike. Our XiM18 exemplifies how we are redefining the way people can relax, work and play in their car today and decades from now.”

The next generation XiM18 concept car shows how the company leads the way in interior design, and provides our answer to the future requirements of electric vehicles and autonomous driving. This forward-looking concept integrates many market-ready product innovations, such as smart surfaces and a front and rear floor console that can be combined together, featuring the seamless integration of displays and control functions. XiM18 is proof that Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is at the forefront of redefining car to human interaction.

XiM18 re-defines interior space configurations

The XiM18 concept features four different interior modes, supporting different driving scenarios from standard driving mode to future-led family mode or functional meeting mode to relaxing lounge, inspired by autonomous driving scenarios. XiM18 exemplifies how future car interiors will put a stronger emphasis on flexible and intelligent floor console and door panel solutions. The key theme of future vehicle interiors in response to autonomous driving is the re-defined interior space and design with modified arrangement of the seating positions. XiM18 is a concept, where the entire interior surface individually interacts with each occupant.

Driving mode is the conventional interior configuration with all seats facing forward. It is enriched by many new comfort and safety functions such as invisible A-pillar, next generation HVAC Slim Air Vents with Gesture Control or smart climate control, slim overhead consoles, moving floor consoles, or convenient soft tambour door storage with finger print lock technology and heated door panel armrest solutions. Innovations such as YFAI’s Start/Stop Overhead Console with PRND controls contribute to enhanced occupant interaction.

Family mode brings people together to better engage and communicate, where the seatback of the front seats rotate inward and the rear floor console moves forward, allowing the rear seats to come together in the center. YFAI’s designers have also come up with many family-friendly features for the interior, including the origami table, instrument panel passenger storage with a tray, new ambient or functional lighting, and plenty of play-and-relax-features like the Interactive Overhead Display Panel. The Overhead Slim Air Vent adds more comfort to the family mode and other layouts.

In Meeting mode the interior serves as an extension of the office, where the driver seat moves to the back of the vehicle, while the passenger seat rotates 180 degrees, allowing occupants to face each other while the rear seats stows away. Adaptive interiors with flexible floor consoles, personal electronics management and convenient working table solutions support the working environment inside the vehicle. Lounge mode is a transformational space helping transition from working to socializing. With the front seats moved to the rear-most position, this environment offers passengers the option to relax or work while the vehicle drives autonomously. As YFAI excels in materials and surface innovations, instrument panels and door panels will visibly benefit from technology advancements like the direct back-foaming of leather or the CHyM Eco-Lite technology which is not only integrated in the door panels but also for the first time applicable for instrument panel production. A key enabler for effective lounge mode layout applications are YFAI’s unique separated floor console – a front and rear floor console that can be combined, features the seamless integration of displays and control functions.

YFAI’s smart interior surfaces have been inspired by the increased technology and information needs in vehicle interiors. “Interior surfaces have always had a great look and feel,” added Hendriks. ”However, we will increasingly integrate functionality that creates a better life on board,” said Han Hendriks. “We‘re seamlessly integrating information and areas for controls, ambient and task lighting, heated surfaces and more. When these functions are not activated, our smart interior surfaces blend in with the stylish decor of our floor consoles, instrument and door panels. This is the wave of the future and our concepts will help prepare automakers to be ready for the future.”

Please visit us online: www.yfai.com/the-next-living-space

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