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After All Of These Years, Detroit Pushes For Better Interiors
Finally, it seems Detroit is figuring out what Japanese and European automakers have known for years: Inner beauty is the path to success.

For too long U.S. automakers kept costs down by focusing more on what was under the hood than on what was under the roof. They believed if their typical buyer had to choose between horsepower and design aesthetics, the ponies would always win. The resulting interior of the average American car was a bland expanse of poorly fitting, low-quality plastic and cheap chrome.

But after years of talking about improving their interiors, at long last Detroit is doing it. The recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit was a strong indication that Detroit is now pushing to compete with the Toyota Motors (TM) and BMWs (BMWG) of the world, both inside and out. Two cars at the show provided strong examples of how U.S. carmakers are beginning to get it right.


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After All Of These Years, Detroit Pushes For Better Interiors



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kpaxxkpaxx - 1/28/2008 3:44:42 PM
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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 1/28/2008 7:02:49 PM
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Yes, Detroit interiors are right up there these days but have not yet caught up with Audi. My only complaint is that Detroit has not yet learned that shiny wood on the steering wheel is a glare-causing annoyance and a safety hazard. Steering wheels should be covered in leather only -- wood on the steering wheel and excessive wood on the dash (e.g. Jaguar) is in very bad taste.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 1/28/2008 7:35:18 PM
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Uh, no, detroit doesnt need to figure that out, not as badly as the worst offender, lexus. I'll never understand the appeal of wood steering wheels. Actually, I'll never understand the appeal of lexus in general, but that's another story.

They're freezing cold, they smudge, there's not enough grip, they reflect light....if someone knows a benefit other than aesthetics, I'd like to hear it.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 1/29/2008 8:33:16 PM
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'They believed if their typical buyer had to choose between horsepower and design aesthetics, the ponies would always win'

This one is actually still true for me. Don't get me wrong, the interior is important, who wouldn't love to spend all day in an Audi? But as long as i have the power i want under the hood and adequate legroom, everything else about my car is an afterthought.


AnthonyAnthony - 1/28/2008 4:08:19 PM
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The asthetics are definitely better. What they need to keep their focus on is the actual materials. Brittle plastic with little bumps and ridges on them to simulate leather is something I absolutely despise.

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HyundaiHyundai - 1/28/2008 4:47:43 PM
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"Brittle plastic with little bumps and ridges on them to simulate leather is something I absolutely despise."

Oh man, I don't know WHY they even do that. There should be a coalition to abolish cruelty to synthetic materials. Then we could end the hard plastic leather printed moulds.


PS, this title should be about GM and to a certain extent, Ford (still not convinced by them but others might be) since Dodge still wants to make dull interiors.


PlanBPlanB - 1/28/2008 4:42:56 PM
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Yeah, I'd have to say they hit rock bottom with interiors a few yrs ago but have gotten much better(GM mainly) over the past couple years. Chrysler still looks like they're not gonna improve anytime soon though, and they may not be able to given their financial situation.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 4:55:11 PMView My AgentSpace
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I agree with the bulk of the article, but...

"For too long U.S. automakers kept costs down by focusing more on what was under the hood than on what was under the roof."

What? They didn't focus on either. Their older cars were pieces of crap in general. I'm happy about how much they've improved.

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HyundaiHyundai - 1/28/2008 6:06:13 PM
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LOL! Yea, my parent's old 99 Buick LeSabre's 3.8L V6 with 204 hp was a real marvel of engineering which sure made up for its boring interior.

NOT!


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 1/28/2008 7:08:56 PM
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Hyundai, what's marvelous about FWD and pushrod engines? The only well engineered Buick today is the Lucerne (with the Cadillac NorthStar engine) except for its FWD configuration. The Enclave that everyone raves about lacks front passenger seat height adjustment resulting in my banging my head on the roof trying to get into it.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 8:45:47 PMView My AgentSpace
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EnnNorak, God help you if you can't see the sarcasm in his post...


HyundaiHyundai - 1/28/2008 10:10:55 PM
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EnnNorak, lighten up! I was simply kidding and I thought it was quite obvious given the association of "3.8L", "204 hp", and "marvel of engineering" all in one sentence. You shouldn't need nearly 4 litres to produce only 200 hp.


autoproautopro - 1/28/2008 5:20:03 PMView My AgentSpace
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Quality of materials still not up to Lexus standards.

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 1/28/2008 7:10:06 PM
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Lexus material quality is only slightly better but Lexus cars are overpriced.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 8:47:53 PMView My AgentSpace
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Do you honestly expect the Chevrolet Malibu to have a Lexus-like interior? It's better than the Camry's, and that's enough.

The CTS? I would say it's as good as, if not better than, the Lexus IS's interior.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 2/7/2008 5:39:24 PM
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The actual incremental cost of better materials is not very high. General and administrative overhead does not change just because a few extra dollars are spent on materials.


mini22mini22 - 1/28/2008 7:04:14 PM
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I agree that the gap between American car makers and Japanese and Euro car makers is still there. However it is starting to get smaller. The problem has always been a combination of the American corporate car culture and the cost of doing a quality interior. I would assume that synthetic britle plastic is cheaper then the quality grained plastic in Euro and Jap cars. It all gets down to the cost to build a car today.The Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu show that GM can do it.Ford is making some strides as well and Chrysler is doing a quick redo on the Stratus/Avenger twins. It makes perfect sence as most people spend their time inside their cars.

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LarryLarry - 1/28/2008 7:20:52 PM
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in the 80's and 90's i would rent different chevy's and pontiacs all those big fisher-price plastic buttons all over the place, and radio was just a shame, the interior could last a at the most 3 years broke something would break. Mercedes and Jaguar make some high quality work in those days.

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tattedtwicetattedtwice - 1/28/2008 7:42:34 PM
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I'll never understand why toyota and honda are held as the holy grail of interiors anyway. We have several of each brand in the fam, and each time I've ridden in one I notice cheap areas all over. Hard, textured plastics on the door panels, fabrics that looks like a skinned rat, door handles the feel like they'll snap eventually, etc. etc.

Bottom line, I dont see how theyre any better than late model domestics. They ride people's NOTION that they're better or more expensive, but that's not the reality at all.

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OblivObliv - 1/28/2008 8:03:24 PM
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I agree. I own an 07 Mustang, and I absolutely love the interior. I got it fully optioned, so its leather, aluminum etc. I honestly dont see why people rag it so much, unless they base their opinions on the base v6.
My friend has an 05 Audi A4, and while his interior is nicer then mine, its not an extraordinary difference. Both are very well made. And yes, he likes my interior!

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/28/2008 8:49:21 PMView My AgentSpace
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Compare a bare-bones A4 to a bare-bones Mustang, and you will see the difference...


HyundaiHyundai - 1/28/2008 10:13:35 PM
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My goodness. The plastic in the Mustang is awfully hard and hollow. I don't know how you can compare an Audi to a Mustang. Compare a bare-bones Audi to a fully loaded Mustang and it is the same difference: night and day.


OblivObliv - 1/29/2008 12:16:17 PM
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I have the top end mustang interior (that you can get apart from a gt500 or a special edition) and I can compare them easily. Yeah, mine has a bit more plastic and its not a high quality plastic as his, but the layout and ergonomics are right there with his. I prefer my aluminum to his wood finishing. I love both interiors as both were very well done, but I still prefer mine.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/29/2008 7:28:06 PMView My AgentSpace
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The layout and ergonomics are not what we're questioning.

It's the overall interior execution.

Be honest with yourself. The Mustang's interior is quite cheap. You don't buy it for the quality of the materials, you buy it for the style and the driving fun.


OblivObliv - 1/30/2008 1:47:50 PM
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Ok, ill be honest. The dash is plastic. So is the console. But the layout and simplicity of how everything is put together was done very well. Other then those 2 place and half the door panels, the rest is leather and aluminum.
I dont know about you, but I dont touch my dash. I can careless about its materials as long as is holds up well and doesnt squeak or rattle.
Yes, I bought the car for fun, and after driving my friends Audi, I made the right choice for me. His car is fun too, but it just doesnt fit me.
Excuse me though, I thought ergonomics and layout were all that is included when you say interior execution. The plastic is cheap, yes, but the leather and aluminum trim are great. Compared to my sisters Civic, its an A8 lol.
The level of detail in the Audi is astonishing, though. Spring loaded "oh crap" handles that dont make a noise when you let go of em, impressive stuff. I guess I just dont care about that kinda stuff.


Chaos29Chaos29 - 1/29/2008 2:43:21 AM
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REMOVE THE ANALOG CLOCK!

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Chaos29Chaos29 - 1/30/2008 3:27:39 AM
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the clock is cheesy and the space can be used to improve usability (simplify the buttons and their respective functionality).

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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 1/29/2008 12:40:40 PM
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I was really impressed with the recently redesigned Cadillac. I was in one recently (full spec) and it felt very elegant. They have gotten way better, but the actual materials need to as elegant as the rest of the car.

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sammystar11sammystar11 - 2/6/2008 11:38:45 PM
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DUH !!!
Note to Deardorn, Detroit and Auburn Hills - Exterior AND Interior looks
Quality and Value
Safety and Style
Economy and performance

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sammystar11sammystar11 - 2/6/2008 11:39:17 PM
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that should read 'Dearborn' Duh me!


SteveSteve - 2/7/2008 4:38:58 PM
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I have to agree with "sammystar11". It's a good start. Keep going, long and hard, Detroit, and you may find yourself in a good place some day.

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