E D I T O R I A L

Open up!

Acentral feature of corporate culture at Edscha is openness. Honest and timely communication is something we

care about deeply, both in-house and towards the general public and of course our custo- mers. That’s one of the reasons why we have edwin, now appearing the second time.

Coincidence or not – many of our products also center on ‘openness’. Hinge and convertible roof systems from Edscha have for decades now been providing dependable access to cars. In that time, the demands made on cars have risen dramatically in every respect. Nowadays, it’s comfort above all that’s the clincher for the buyer. We haven’t shut our eyes to that fact either – instead we set ourselves the task of opening up new prospects in our niches for our customers.

In this edition of edwin we’re presenting a few of our ideas for discussion. For example ideas for more convenient opening systems:

ranging from the next-generation door hinge, the Notch Stop (pages 11 and 22), and an electrically-powered rear lid developed by us (page 14), to the alternative sliding door mechanism that adorns the title page (page 18).

We’ve developed new approaches elsewhere too: specialists from IVM Automotive helped, for example, to develop the existing Junkers opposed-piston engine into an unusually efficient, lightweight, inexpensive and clean two-cylinder design for a wide range of applications (page 16); and they pondered how our customers could exert a favorable effect on the production costs and weight during the development process itself (page 12).

More details of all this can be found in this issue – or can be heard at the Edscha Group’s 4th Symposium in November. Its motto? “OpenMinded”, what else!

On that note, enjoy reading it!

IMPRINT

Publisher:

Edscha AG, Hohenhagener Str. 26–28, 42855 Remscheid Coordinator: Christiane Nadol Publishing House: corps Corporate Publishing Services GmbH, Schanzenstraße 56,

40549 DüsseldorfEditors: Wilfried Lülsdorf,Michael DrostenProject Manager: Stefanie DodtArt-Direction: Guido Koch, KölnCover Photography: JohnM. John

Photos: Adam Opel AG, Audi AG, Manfred Bernhard, Daim- lerChrysler Nutzfahrzeuge, Dorint AG, Edscha AG, John M. John, Lars Langemeier, M. Dan- nenmann, Meilenwerk, Smart GmbH, Ssangyong Motor, Volvo Car Corporation Lithography: F+S GmbH Printing: Druckerei Tannhäuser Publication dates: twice a year

edwin 02 2003 3