What Can Modern Automakers Learn From Early Car Design? 8 Insights
The automotive industry is transforming, thanks to electrification and software-defined vehicles. While some technology is novel, the fundamental challenges of engineering and manufacturing have historical precedent.
The earliest vehicles revealed the foundation for the road ahead in the 21st century. Here are eight insights that automakers can learn from century-old design.
1. Solve the Core Problems
Annual vehicle lineups are an arms race of infotainment systems and features. Some automakers are integrating AI chatbots into their vehicles to appear forward-thinking. Meanwhile, there are more pressing issues to resolve. Automakers should focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
Modern manufacturers can learn from the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, one of the earliest examples of motorcars. Historians credit it as the first self-propelled vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The car has no doors, trunk, or roof — instead, Benz’s sole focus was on solving the need for horseless travel. Its radical simplicity is something that modern automakers can learn from.
2. Make the Cars Easy to Service
User serviceability is an essential agreement between automakers and owners. Manufacturers would build easy-to-understand machines and encourage buyers to maintain them. With sealed components and proprietary software, it’s harder for drivers to form an intimate bond with their cars.
The earliest Volkswagen Beetles were renowned for their serviceability. While small, they were easy to understand mechanically. As an owner, you didn’t have to worry about radiators or water pumps. You could maintain your vehicle with a basic set of wrenches and screwdrivers. Drivers could keep up with maintenance, thanks to books like “How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive” by John Muir.
3. Integrate Distraction-Free Controls
Touch screens are a relatively new invention. In the 20th century, automotive engineers had to master haptic feedback with physical shapes, textures and resistance. These features let drivers operate the car by feel, thereby building muscle memory.
Keeping eyes on the road is essential to safety, considering motor vehicle crashes take over 40,000 lives annually. The 1960s Ford Mustangs exemplified simplicity with user-friendly climate and radio controls. You could easily flip a switch to turn on the headlights and memorize the dashboard. With modern touch screens, you may be more distracted.
4. Highlight Longevity
Buyers in the 20th century obtained a car as a lifetime investment rather than a single ownership cycle. Meanwhile, shifts in modern design have favored shorter periods. Customers may lease a car for a couple of years, disincentivizing automakers from producing long-lasting vehicles.
Older vehicles focused on engineering rather than price, aiming to build a high-quality product. For example, the Mercedes-Benz W123 was renowned for durability. The car made customers happy due to its chassis, stacked headlights, and minimalist design. It was typical for these vehicles to run for over 300,000 miles.
5. Design for Visibility
Seeing your surroundings while driving is one of the most critical features. However, it has become a lost art for some manufacturers. For example, the Chevrolet Camaro has poor visibility due to its high beltline and small windows. Thick pillars and a small hood can add a claustrophobic feeling to the car.
General Motors and other automakers should look to the past for inspiration on visibility. For example, auto enthusiasts call the BMW 2002 a fishbowl due to its large glass area. Thin pillars and a low beltline allow for expansive, panoramic views.
6. Use Modular Platforms
Automakers can increase efficiency by separating the mechanical and powertrain components from the body and specific functions. By creating a universal base, you can serve multiple needs without having to engineer a new vehicle for each use case.
The Ford Model T set the standard with its single, standardized chassis. Families could drive the touring trim with an open top, whereas a professional may pick the two-seat coupe. Modular design is becoming more visible in the modern age, especially through skateboard platforms like Canoo’s.
7. Prioritize Lightweight Construction
Car weight has ballooned in the last few decades. Therefore, you can expect a larger footprint when driving a truck or SUV. The significant increase in mass could be an issue when accomplishing sustainability goals. Automakers should look to the past for inspiration on lighter, more efficient vehicles.
The Lotus Seven was an open-wheel car produced in the UK. For nearly two decades, it was a phenomenon due to its tubular frame and minimalist philosophy. Its creators achieved performance by reducing mass and focusing on the essentials. Excluding the doors, radio, and heater led to a lightweight creation.
8. Include a Comprehensive Toolkit
Once upon a time, your new car included a comprehensive toolkit. Premium brands, such as BMW and Jaguar, would tuck a case into the trunk lid or a side compartment. You could expect individual slots for tools like open-ended wrenches, spark plug sockets and dedicated handles.
The comprehensive toolkit has become a lost art due to the shift to electronic systems. Therefore, typical issues no longer need a wrench to solve. Automakers also started using specialized tools and diagnostic equipment, thus making DIY repairs harder. Modern manufacturers could reintroduce these toolkits to deepen connections to their brands.
Learning From Lessons Embedded in the Past
The automotive industry is heading toward a software-defined horizon. Modern manufacturers focus on what’s new, while a counterbalance to complexity is necessary. Automakers should return to the principles of longevity and the connection between drivers and machines. The most innovative cars of the future may be the ones that remember the timeless value of the past.
