Brose Teams up with Plastic Omnium for Innovative Side Door Systems

Brose and Plastic Omnium have started working together on a project to develop innovative lightweight doors for automobiles. The project would involve engineering and design experts from both companies who would work on the project out of a new technical and program office in Nuremberg, Germany.

The two companies are collaborating on the development of a new concept for hybrid doors which will be fashioned from plastic and metal in order to anticipate what car manufacturers are likely to need in the future in terms of design, functionality and production processes.

To the joint project, Brose will contribute its expertise in the field of mechatronics as well as door and vehicle access systems while Plastic Omnium will bring in its knowhow in body panels, crash and system design for the car exterior.

Kurt Sauernheimer, CEO of Brose and Laurent Burelle, chairman and CEO of Plastic Omnium said that the project will leverage the know-how and technologies of both companies to offer new styling, new functions and new vehicle assembly strategies. They will thus be able to cater to the needs of manufacturers working on autonomous vehicles and to increase driver and passenger safety and comfort.

Sauernheimer added: “This cooperation brings us a big step closer to our strategic goal of being able to supply complete doors to our worldwide customers.”

Brose has many years of experience in the development and manufacturing of side door technology. The company’s door systems integrate all key door functions like the window regulator, latch and electronics on a plastic carrier plate. This minimizes weight and makes the assembly processes simpler. The company is currently working on the series launch of an electric drive that automatically opens and closes side doors. New sensor technology prevents collisions and enables a more comfortable vehicle access.