Make interiors more people-friendly

Grupo Antolin is currently working on new overhead concepts in order to offer its clients the most complete solutions that integrate the hard trim and the modular headliner. The company is at the forefront of the growing trend towards new architectures in the upper area of the vehicle, believing in technological innovation and strongly supporting research in design with the aim to continue being leaders in the roof market.
Already in the 70�s, Grupo Antolin was pioneer with self-supported trim based on felt technology. This system offered multiple advantages such as durability, acoustic absorption, dimensional stability and easy assembly and maintenance. Later, Grupo Antolin developed the Glasutec technology based on PU Foam. The high degree of optimization reached with this technology supported its international acceptance, offering its clients a wide range of technical and design performances to satisfy all vehicle segments.
In the 90�s a new concept of modularity came into the market, with Grupo Antolin becoming a world leader with it�s Modular Headliner, which gradually integrated more components and moved away from the plain traditional trim. Nowadays, the trend is to make the cabin more people-friendly. In this respect, the market pays increasing attention to two key elements which are aimed at improving the quality of life on board: safety and light.
Regarding safety, the concept of “head impact” will take on new importance in 2008, when the American standard FMVSS 201 becomes mandatory in Europe.
The experience of Grupo Antolin in this area comes from its presence in the North American market since the mid 90�s, producing trim parts and fulfilling head impact standards. Therefore, the company is ready to implement all this know-how to face the new European requirements.
At the same time, lighting continues to increase its significance within the vehicle. Grupo Antolin integrates lighting in the Overhead System as an element to create an atmosphere that defines space and enhances shapes, generating a greater feeling of comfort. Natural light also comes into the cabin with the expansion of transparent surfaces in the upper area of the vehicle.
Grupo Antolin offers all the solutions to adapt to the diversity of designs in the market. On one hand, it is able to develop diverse sunshade technologies for panoramic roofs and windshields, while on the other hand, it contributes with magnesium structures for the panoramic sunroofs that offer multiple advantages such as lightness, low cost and the enlargement of the transparent area.
In order to keep its global leadership in the overhead function, Grupo Antolin applies all its expertise areas into being a Full Service Supplier. From its R&D facilities in Burgos (Spain), the company converges all its know-how about materials, acoustics and vibrations, computer simulations, safety, kinematics, design, comfort and ergonomics. More than 400 people focus their efforts on offering the most advanced technologies to the customer, in order to satisfy their needs and anticipate the future demands of the automotive market.