by Brian Byrne. The major war between carmakers in the developed markets is now interior design.
With people spending more time in their cars, there are increasing efforts to make them 'more home than home' in comfort and facility terms.
Examples are the use of better materials, such as the new generation VW Passat, along with gimmicks like the replacement trims available in Citroen's C2 and the Peugeot 1007. The Citroen C4 perfume dispenser, and special interior lighting in Mercedes and BMW top models.
But the battle for the minds -- and wallets -- of the buyers still begin at the exterior. According to Stefan Sielaff, DaimlerChrysler's interior designs boss, quoted in an interview with Automotive News, people still have to 'fall in love with' the outside of a car before they can appreciate its interior.
