In the late 1800s, few automobile manufacturers existed, and few people were car owners. It was a luxury only the wealthiest could afford. It wasn’t until the 20th century when Henry Ford revolutionized the way factories worked by introducing the assembly line that costs decreased and car prices were suddenly affordable to the masses. Because more consumers were able to purchase vehicles, more manufacturers threw their hat in the ring. Over the last century, the automotive industry has grown from a handful of brands to about 14 global companies managing 60 major car brands. If we were to count all the smaller brands indigenous to their home countries, that number significantly increases.
As a supplier to the automotive industry for over 30 years, we know a thing or two about the materials and finishes you can use to help your brand drive growth. We’ve highlighted our 3 most popular materials for you to consider when designing for your automotive brand.
ELECTROFORM
In a competitive marketplace like the automotive industry, your brand is your best differentiator. Why not use it to your advantage? Nothing highlights your brand better than electroform. Known for its superior quality and premium aesthetics, electroform is an unsurpassed branding technology. Create interior consistency by utilizing our plated, painted, or PVD finished electroform for your key fobs, instrument panels, steering wheels, and cluster areas. Even though the sizing of these applications greatly differs, with electroform you don’t have to sacrifice any design elements. This means your very tiny key fobs logos can have the same level of detail and intricacy as your larger instrument panel badges.
ZINC
We know zinc might be thought of as too rugged or robust, but zinc can also be super sleek achieving high-end aesthetics. Zinc is the perfect choice to continue your story of harmonious luxury by using it to brand your floor mats and your armrest consoles. Upgrade the branding in these areas from molded-in or embroidered to a sleek and durable 3D zinc die cast car emblem. Not only will these 3D branded components match the rest of your interior, but they’ll do so without compromising product performance. Zinc is an incredibly durable material, and our metallic finishes are proven to withstand the harshest of environments like steel toe boots, mud, and dirt.
COMBINATION
We’re probably cheating with this one, but the beauty of our combination product offering is you can mix multiple materials together to create a truly unique name plate, trim piece, or functional component. Pair our metal letters or electroform with our transparent plastics to create a standout backlit badge. Complement your command center with unique knob inserts and toggle switches using our metals and plastics together. The sky's the limit with our custom combination products and they are the perfect solution to enhance your automotive cab interiors when one material isn’t quite enough.
For samples, more information on the materials and finishes we think are best for the automotive industry, or to speak with one of our industry experts, please complete our form. We can’t wait to help you accelerate your brand value!