Title: An integrated product development process in the automotive industry

Authors: Joy ChiaHuh Liang

Addresses: National Penghu University, 300 Linho Road, Magong, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: This study presents an integrated Product Development Process (PDP) and its application from market research to sales in the automotive industry. This market-driven PDP has five basic major stages: 1. customer input; 2. conceptual design; 3. detailed design and engineering; 4. manufacturing process and production; 5. sales and distribution. The paper outlines the essential features of these five stages and describes specific techniques for implementing them at macro points of view with real-life examples. A successful PDP likely consists of these five fundamental stages but must be tailored to meet an automotive company|s unique requirements and are continuously refined to bring maximum benefit to the company. Other tools used to execute PDP are illustrated as well.

Keywords: integrated product development; computer-aided design; computer-aided engineering; computer-aided manufacturing; CAD; CAM; CAE; failure mode and effects analysis; FMEA; robust design; design of experiments; DOE; reliability engineering; quality engineering; visual manufacturing engineering; automotive products; automobile industry; product design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2009.023750

International Journal of Product Development, 2009 Vol.8 No.1, pp.80 - 105

Published online: 09 Mar 2009 *

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