International Automotive Components (IAC) says it has demonstrated its global platform supply capabilities with the supply of interiors products to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
IAC says it is delivering acoustical and interior solutions including flooring, trunk and loadspace, wheel arch liners, pillars, and acoustic insulation for the new C-Class.
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Supporting the launch of the first model based on the new Mercedes Rear Architecture (MRA) platform, IAC says it “mirrored the customer’s approach and provided centralised design and engineering support as well as local production spearheaded by an expert lead plant for each product group”.
IAC supported Mercedes-Benz’s central product development and industrialisation in Germany through its Acoustics and Soft Trim Engineering Center in Celle, and from the interior supplier’s Ebersberg Technology Center.
IAC will deliver the products from ten plants located near Mercedes-Benz in Europe, North America, China, and South Africa. In Europe, four plants started production in late 2013 and the rest of the world will be ramping up through the course of the year, the company says.
Focusing on lightweight design and functional integration, IAC’s Acoustics Engineering Center has been instrumental in the “acoustic optimisation” of the complete vehicle interior, the company says.
Extensive noise vibration harshness (NVH) tests were executed in the IAC chassis dynamometer resulting in a claimed best-in-class sound signature for the new C-Class. The optimised acoustical tuning results were directly transferred to the development of the soft trim parts produced by IAC.
“Successfully launching global platform programs is contingent on setting high quality and design standards and on the capability to meet these standards consistently in the worldwide delivery of automotive components,” said Brad Zak, Senior Vice President Operations for IAC in Europe.
“Through vertical integration, IAC offers global platforms a range of centralized services, including material and product design, engineering, tooling, manufacturing, and logistics planning. Our plants operate under our state-of-the- art, lean production system, ensuring quality and reliability at all locations around the world.”
