Abstract
Keywords - Body Control Unit (BCU), platform strategy, market-specific concepts, E/E system competence, AUTOSAR
Body electronics components have a special importance in the field of automotive electronics. The electronic modules control a multitude of electrical and electronic functions, and the market requires a flexible product road map that is in compliance with the customers´ requirements, especially in regional markets. The special challenge lies in the fact that competitive concepts have to be developed for different markets and therefore have to meet high expectations regarding functionality, price and quality. Regionally, there are different OEM market requirements. In the USA and Europe, the components for large vehicle platforms are specifically standardised by OEMs. The situation in the Asian markets is different, however. For these markets, optimum cost solutions are required, and these are achieved via standardised platform strategies. Therefore, by taking the market into consideration, Continental has developed platform strategies that take different product segments into account in order to comply with the customers´ needs. The goal is to develop product families that meet the requirements of several customers. There, by comparison, standardisation via OEMs is less advanced, which means that the product strategy for these markets has to be adapted. The emphasis is on reasonable prices and competitive concepts that must be made available for this market for a relatively low production volume per vehicle model or platform. For this reason, Continental Interior Body & Security has developed a standardised, modular Body Control Unit (BCU) design that allows scaling of the functions and which complies with the requirements of the growth market China. The following paper presents solutions in the field of body electronics as well as concepts for the different markets.