Designing and Creating Cars

Many people consider their car to be an extension of their personality, and what they drive is very important to them. For others, it is just a useful piece of machinery. Whether you are a car fanatic who loves your particular kind of car and would never drive anything else, or you just drive whatever you can afford, the process of creating a brand new model of car can be very interesting.

Sketching the Idea

From start to finish, the creation of a new model of car can take 3 or more years, from idea to the metal casting process of vital parts to its appearance at the auto show.

Like all good creations, the basic idea for a new car is very often first doodled on paper as a quick design, which is then later expanded upon using computer design programs. Of course, the entire process used to be done all on paper, but computers have made the modern process much quicker and much more precise. The designer can get inspiration for an idea from anywhere – a movie, their own imagination, or marketing feedback the company has received about other cars. They will create the design of the inside of the car as well as the outside.

Logistics of the Idea

The next step is making sure the design would work with the mechanical and safety needs of the car the company wants to create. It is likely that the initial design will change a lot throughout the process, starting here.

Modeling the Idea

From here, a small clay model is made of the car (three-dimensional printers are starting to play a part in this step, but for now clay is still the medium of choice). Until the final design is determined, different clay models are built – that’s why smaller versions are made, so that this step is less time consuming. When the final design is chosen, it is created full sized.

The Interior                                                          

As the exterior is developed, engineers and designers are also working on the interior. Changes will inevitably be made to go along with the dimensions and look of the outer shell. Sketches are turned into computer renderings, which are used to create demos of the interior in clay.

Paint colors, fabrics, and interior accessories are chosen at this point by expert designers. These undergo extensive tests to make sure they can withstand the direct sunlight, cold, and heavy use that materials used in cars will endure.

Final Steps

Once the interior and exterior are approved, the two are finally combined into one car. If the management of the car company gives their approval, marketing begins to get involved. Engineers make final adjustments and work on ways to make the car’s production fast and cost effective. The production details are worked out, and testing requirements are determined.

The Assembly Line

The assembly line is virtually unrecognizable from Henry Ford’s day. Back then it was successful because of a combination of skill, speed, and efficiency – but nowadays technology is vital to its success as well.

Cars are built from the chassis up, with all other parts connected to the body, such as the engine, suspension, gas tank, transmission, gear box, steering box, wheel drums, and brakes. Then, the floor and side panels are connected, as are the hood and roof. This part is done by machine. A quality assurance team checks for any dents or deformities on the body before the car is approved for painting. The car then moves on to have the interior components installed, and once this is completed it is taken for another quality control inspection, and, if it passes, it is sent along to the dealer for customer purchase.

Cars have gone through an amazing variety of changes since their invention. Whether you love cars or you just have to have one, you want one that fits your needs and your personality – and thousands of man hours go into creating cars that do just that.