PLASTICS WILL RUN ON FAST TRACK IN TOMORROW'S DETROIT.

The coming decade will be a time of radical change for the car companies (OEMs) and their parts producers and plastics suppliers. It will require a new level of responsive management and technology partnership from vendors. For those who can adapt it will be a time of opportunity. Auto marketers will emphasize specialty niche cars. The use of 'hang-on' plastic panels on a single car platform will make low unit volumes feasible. Car builders will use more modular subassemblies, sourced to outside vendors, to save assembly time and reduce capital investment. These will tie in with just-in-time requirements. Parts producers and materials suppliers will be expected to contribute design, engineering, and testing services. Structural composites will replace steel in the frame and underbody, but only gradually. Cost-efficient production processes and crash performance are key obstacles.