Brose and Plastic Omnium have launched a joint development project on innovative lightweight doors for automobiles. The collaboration involves engineering and design experts from both companies working in a newly established technical and program office in Nuremberg, Germany.

The two family-owned companies are jointly developing a new concept for hybrid doors made out of plastic and metal in order to anticipate future needs of car manufacturers in terms of design, functionality and production processes.

For the cooperation, Brose contributes its expertise in the field of mechatronics as well as door and vehicle access systems. Plastic Omnium provides its technological knowledge in body panels, crash and system design for the car exterior.

“Incorporating our companies’ technologies and know-how will allow offering new styling, new functions and new vehicle assembly strategies. We thus intend to meet the challenges facing autonomous vehicles and to enhance driver and passenger safety and comfort,” said Kurt Sauernheimer, CEO of Brose and Laurent Burelle, chairman and CEO of Plastic Omnium.

Sauernheimer added: "This cooperation brings us a big step closer to our strategic goal of being able to supply complete doors to our worldwide customers.”

Brose has decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of side door technology. The mechatronics specialist’s door systems integrate all key door functions such as the window regulator, latch and electronics on a plastic carrier plate, which reduces weight and simplifies assembly processes. The company is currently preparing the series launch of an electric drive that automatically opens and closes side doors. New sensor technology prevents collisions and enables a more comfortable vehicle access.