Think Audi's interior is 'better' than Ford's?

S

stilez

New member
Think again...





Recently we discussed a company called Johnson Controls in my Marketing class. I was extremely surprised to find out what they did and for whom.



Johnson Controls designs and manufacturers entire cockpits/interiors for auto manufacturers. Those included are:



# Alfa Romeo

# Audi

# BMW

# Citroen

# DaimlerChysler

# Fiat

# Ford

# General Motors

# Jaguar

# Honda

# Lancia

# Land Rover

# Mazda

# Mitsubishi

# Nissan

# Opel

# Peugeot

# Porsche

# Renault

# Rover

# Saab

# Seat

# Skoda

# Smart

# Suzuki

# Toyota

# Vauxhall

# Volvo

# VW





So next time you go to hate on Ford's interior, remember, they aren't the ones making it...



http://johnsoncontrols.com/asg-intro/CompanyOverview.asp





Enjoy.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson Controls had bought out a bunch of other (interior) manufacturers. Auto manufacturers outsourced a lot of stuff even before outsourcing was a well known term. I'll never forget the first oil change on my mother's '88 Olds...when I saw the "Made In Japan" sticker on the starter. FWIW, the auto company gives companies like Johnson Controls specifications, and has design approval, so it's not really like the exact same interiors are being put in all those cars, just like Goodyear doesn't put station wagon tires on F1 cars, I'm sure the Porsche interiors that Johnson Controls does are different than a "Ford" interior.



Good point though, about how one supplier can make for all those cars...kind of like the things we hear about the actual mfrs. of base material used in detailing chemicals being very few in number.
 
Just because they are the same company dosent mean that the same materials are used, and more design and quality is put in to the nicer cars they do...



-justin
 
4830Deuce said:
Just because they are the same company dosent mean that the same materials are used, and more design and quality is put in to the nicer cars they do...



-justin
Click to expand...



:werd: The interior of GM trucks and SUVs are laid out nicely but except for the Escalade, the material selection has a cheap appearance.
 
Johnson Controls designs and manufacturers interiours to the car maufactures specs and wants. The final product is still up to the car company. Problem with the American companies is that they have to many consultants, accountants and bean counters that decide whats best for the car's bottom line.
 
Scottwax said:
:werd: The interior of GM trucks and SUVs are laid out nicely but except for the Escalade, the material selection has a cheap appearance.
Click to expand...



I got lit up for posting something similar months ago. I guess the truth hurts?
 
Corey Bit Spank said:
I think Ford's recent interiors are very nice.
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The F150 is nice. The new Fusion is full of dull, hard plastics however.



It all depends on the car company, and how much $$ they want to spend and how nicely they want to finish it.



Audis, IMHO, are still unmatched in material quality and fit/finish.

:spot
 
I worked for JCI for 10 years. Almost all ASG (automotive seat group) design work takes place in Plymouth, MI. The car manufacturer comes in with their design which JCI quotes. If they win the contract then they redesign for manufacturability and cost targets and get the manufacturers buyoff.



JCI also has a battery division, HVAC controls division and a division that works at Cape Canaverel on the space program but I never knew what they did. I think something to do with facilities management.
 
The interior in my new Audi is quite bnice. The materials are top notch (nicer than the new 3-series)/extremely well put together. It's one of the reasons I bought my new Audi.

I can't say the same of any American vehicle. Any.
 
Tarik said:
The interior in my new Audi is quite bnice. The materials are top notch (nicer than the new 3-series)/extremely well put together. It's one of the reasons I bought my new Audi.

I can't say the same of any American vehicle. Any.
Click to expand...



My last car was an Audi. The interiors are put together REALLY nicely. All the materials are top notch. The rest of the car is another matter. That car was in the shop more than it was in my driveway the first couple of years I owned it.



Corey Bit Spank said:
And the A4 is?
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I sat in one of the new IS350's last week and the interior was nice, but the quality of materials in an Audi interior is still nicer.
 
It seems to vary more by model even than just by brand. Of course (normally) the more money you spend the nicer the interior will be, which explains why a GS430 has a nicer interior than an IS350 or an A8 compared to an A4...
 
I've had an :



audi, and the interior was put together very well. (TT)



BMW (M-coupe) full of rattles and squeaks



Toyota Tacoma that was put together well



Toyota Tundra w/ 88,000 miles on it and no squeaks rattles



Honda Prelude ... small squeak in sear I couldn't find... but overall excellent



Surprisingly, my new F150's interior is quieter than all of my previous cars!



my dad's avalon is very quiet and put together well



my uncles new lexus es330 seems very well put together and very quiet
 
Wonder if Johnson is responsible for spoiling the (IMO) previously wonderful Audi interior ergonomics? Moving the headlight switch from a stalk to a rotary dial just drives me nuts.



Heh heh, not really on-topic, but Audi's decision to use that MMI system (their take on BMW's I-drive) is enough to make me consider *not* buying the new S8 :( Everybody's going to electronic whiz-bang BS and stuff like massaging seats :rolleyes: while neglecting the sort of design ergonomics that actually improve the driver's ability to operate the vehicle :angry
 
Mitchubishievo said:
Lexus is number one on my list.
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I had an '04 SC430 that had a great looking interior except the seats started to self destruct after about 1500 miles. I really didn't think the vinyl dash and door bottoms were that hot. My wife drives an'04 LS430 and that is a travesty. Looks good from a distance but when you look closely the dash, the greater part of the doors, console and seat backs are all vinyl or plastic. Then there is the vast expanse of grey plastic on the center console stack and switch gear.

Personally I drive a few Mercedes AMG's all leather everywhere, alcantra headliners and rich looking limited use of plastics. Thy're my number 1. :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
It is all down to how much Ford or Audi wants to spend.



Dont forget VAG do sell Ford priced rivals badged as Skoda and Seat in Europe. Also Ford owns Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover.
 
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