Word on the Street
Meridian Automotive and Carbon Motors™ Announce Design and Development Partnership
ALLEN PARK, Michigan – Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc. (“Meridian”) and Carbon Motors Corporation (“Carbon”) jointly announced today their plan to work together on the design and development for the exterior body panels of the Carbon ‘E7’, the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle.
Police cruisers suffer many dings and dents during their normal course of duty, causing expensive repairs and lost patrol hours while repairs are completed. Alan J. Bratt, Carbon’s executive vice president and chief production officer said, “The Carbon ‘E7’ will incorporate thermoplastic exterior body panels to facilitate complete end-of-life recyclability while providing a highly durable and attractive exterior.” Incorporation of this leading edge technology will make the ‘E7’ far better than regular metal-bodied vehicles in terms of resistance to impact damage, and eliminate the associated downtime for minor body repairs.
The inclusion of an abrasion resistant paint film to exterior parts during the molding process will further enhance the vehicle’s appearance in addition to reducing the need for costly repairs. The exterior skin of the ‘E7’ will be added as part of the final assembly process rather than early in the sequence, in the way that conventional cars are constructed. This has tremendous advantage in improving accessibility for installation of trim and mechanical components while significantly reducing exposure to the risk of in-process damage to the exterior. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Meridian, a renowned and highly respected major plastics supplier,” Bratt commented.
Paint film is an exciting technology that provides an extremely durable product that is truly “green.” The traditional painting process is eliminated, thus reducing paint emissions; and the material is 100% recyclable. Richard E. Newsted, Meridian’s president and chief executive officer, said, “This collaboration with Carbon Motors will be the most extensive use of thermoformed paint film body panels in the industry.” Meridian’s capabilities bring low mass, high strength component solutions to automotive, heavy truck, and consumer and industrial products customers. Newsted added, “This partnership with Carbon Motors also provides Meridian entry into the growing market of Homeland Security.”
About Carbon Motors Corporation
Carbon Motors Corporation is a bold, new homeland security company on a critical mission to design, develop, manufacture, distribute, service, and recycle at end-of-life, the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. Learn more at www.carbonmotors.com.
About Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc.
Meridian is a leading supplier of technologically advanced front and rear end modules, exterior thermoplastics and composites and lighting systems to automobile and truck manufacturers and to the consumer and industrial products market. Meridian operates 20 facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. For more information visit www.meridianautosystems.com.
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