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Discusses the expansion of the use of direct long-fiber thermoplastic (D-LFT) compounding and molding beyond non-appearance structural automotive parts to exterior body panels. Developments in structural D-LFT auto parts for chassis and under-hood applications; Comments from Frank Henning, director of polymer engineering at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology in Germany, on the tests of large D-LFT body panels; Materials required in test parts for exterior body panels.

The article reports on the study of the Institute of Automotive Engineering of Braunschweig Technical University which assesses the human-vehicle interaction in Germany. The study evaluates the parts' functional requirements, vehicle conditions on different road types and the benefits under real conditions. It reveals that test cars used cameras and sensors to detect environmental parameters.

Focuses on the sand-casting technology center built on the Landshut plant near Munich, Germany to produce components for the engine of the BMW Williams Formula One car. High standard of freedom allowed by sand-casting in design combined with superior flexibility in change management and short processing time; Selective laser sintering technology developed by BMW for the application as it speeds up the process of building the sand cores; Benefit of the close co-operation in series production and F1 production technology at the light-alloy foundry in Landshut.

Reports that Nissan's Birdview satellite navigation system will become widely available across Europe in 1999, following a pilot launch with the QX model in Germany. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on the automotive engineering sector.