MIIT Auto Show Exhibits Interiors: Material Selection Reveals a Few Insights

On December 28, Specialized Plastic Vision reported that every month in the early or middle of the month, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announces the latest batch of new product listings in the "Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprises and Products," which is like a grand prelude in the automotive industry. Many car companies take this opportunity to showcase their latest products, demonstrating their innovative achievements and design concepts. This announcement holds significant meaning in the automotive circle and is affectionately referred to as the "Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Auto Show."

New Car Review, Image Source: IT Home

The true appearance of the interior will be revealed.

In previous "MIIT Auto Shows," new cars exhibited followed the convention of only releasing "ID photos" of the car body and rear, along with images of optional exterior accessories. Consumers could only grasp the outline and some exterior details of the new car from these limited pictures, knowing almost nothing about the interior. However, the Equipment Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued a notice titled "Regarding the Adjustment of Requirements for the Implementation of the 'Announcement' Standard and Product Access," which has brought significant changes.

Starting from the announcement of new products in issue 404 of the "Announcement of Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprises and Products" next year, there will be new requirements for passenger vehicle products when applying for access. It is required to provide overall photos that reflect the layout and internal structure of the front row driver's cabin in the "structural drawings," and to upload the corresponding "Product User Manual" for the model in the supporting materials. In simple terms, in the future, when submitting information to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the "official photos" of the exterior and interior of new cars are expected to appear simultaneously, allowing consumers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the new car.

A Comprehensive Overview of Automotive Interior Plastic Materials

Polypropylene is a widely used plastic material in automotive interiors. It has the notable advantages of low density and light weight, which can effectively reduce the overall weight of a vehicle, thereby improving fuel economy. Moreover, polypropylene has good chemical stability, being resistant to acids, bases, and organic solvents, making it less prone to corrosion and extending its service life. In automotive interiors, it is commonly used to manufacture components such as dashboards, door panels, and seat armrests. For example, the dashboards of many economy cars are made from polypropylene through injection molding, and the surface can be treated with a leather-like texture to enhance the feel while reducing costs.

Polycarbonate is a high-strength, tough engineering plastic, with outstanding transparency being one of its highlights, achieving a light transmittance of over 90%. It also possesses good impact resistance, making it difficult to break even when subjected to external forces. In automotive interiors, it is mainly used to manufacture components that require light transmission and a certain level of strength, such as interior lighting covers and instrument panel covers. For example, the reading light covers in some high-end models are made of polycarbonate material, which not only provides uniform light transmission but also ensures the cover remains intact during bumpy rides.

ABS is a thermoplastic with comprehensive and excellent performance, integrating the heat resistance, hardness, and rigidity of acrylonitrile, the toughness and impact resistance of butadiene, and the gloss and processing performance of styrene. In automotive interiors, ABS is commonly used to manufacture parts such as steering wheels, gear shift handles, and decorative strips. Its surface can undergo treatments like electroplating and spraying to achieve different appearance effects, meeting the design needs of various models. For example, the steering wheels of some sports cars use ABS material, which, after special treatment, offers a comfortable feel and stylish appearance.

What is the significance of this action by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology?

For consumers, in the past, they could only understand new cars through their appearance and limited configuration information, making it difficult to comprehensively assess whether a vehicle meets their needs. The display of the interior allows consumers to intuitively see key information such as the spatial layout, seat material, and central console design. For example, some consumers focus on the comfort and support of the seats; by looking at interior photos, they can determine whether the shape and material of the seats meet their requirements. Additionally, some consumers pay attention to the storage space inside the car, and interior layout photos allow them to clearly understand the size and number of storage compartments available.

The public disclosure of interiors will make the competition between car manufacturers more transparent. In order to attract consumers, car manufacturers will invest more effort in interior design, material selection, and craftsmanship, continuously improving product quality and competitiveness. This will encourage the entire automotive industry to innovate in terms of interiors, promoting the application of new technologies and new materials, and bringing consumers more high-quality, personalized interior choices.

Providing detailed information such as photos of the cockpit layout can help regulatory authorities gain a more comprehensive understanding of the actual condition of vehicles, thereby strengthening the management of automotive product approvals. This can prevent some car companies from concealing or falsely reporting information during the application process, thus regulating market order, safeguarding consumers' legitimate rights, and promoting the healthy development of the automotive industry.

Although it may be difficult to directly discern the specific plastic materials used in the interior from the declaration photos, the initiative of allowing interior viewing at the "Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Auto Show" holds positive and profound significance for consumers, car companies, and the entire automotive industry.