It is hard to believe that less than a century ago, windshields were offered as optional equipment. In 1909, Henry Ford offered his Model T with a windshield. Today, glazing continues to play an important part in vehicle design, providing a combination of aesthetic, functional and structural properties. As a result, automakers are increasingly looking for their glazing suppliers to play a key role in the vehicle development process as a new report discusses.

As glazing plays an increasing role in the overall design of a vehicle, automakers are looking for ways to use glass on other areas of the body. This has led to increased research into how sunroofs can be used more effectively as a design feature. The sunroof has subsequently emerged as a key styling feature and can in some cases replace the majority of the roof panel.

Higher and wider windshields have led to the quantity of glass used in vehicle manufacture to gradually increase. The trends in MPVs, for instance, have seen bulky A-pillars become obtrusive for forward vision. Consequently, some car designers are focusing more and more on windshields that wrap around at the sides pushing the A-pillar back towards the front door. This style of windshield is known as panoramic.

“[Panoramic windshields] are now a feature of virtually every concept car,” said Derek Buckmaster, automotive marketing director, Exterior Body & Glazing, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “There are a number of challenges there, of course. The vehicle occupants are very exposed so you need to have good infrared and energy protection. The structural elements present a challenge, which needs to be met, too. Overall, the consumer interest in panoramic roofs has taken off at a faster rate than many of the OEMs originally expected. So I think we shall see more of that happening across Europe.”

Noise reduction inside cars and consequently, improvement of acoustic control is becoming one of the main objectives of carmakers. Since the vehicle’s glazed surface is continuously increasing, automotive glazing has become a very significant path for noise penetration inside the car. The use of acoustic windshields is gradually increasing. The use of acoustic windshields allows carmakers to lighten their cars by using thinner glazing without sacrificing acoustic comfort. This glazed sandwich offers three main benefits: increased comfort, security and safety.

Laminated glass has solar and acoustic benefits and also helps protect against rollover and side impact injury while weighing less than standard glass of a similar thickness.

It is clear that glazing continues to play an important part in vehicle design, providing a combination of aesthetic, functional and structural properties. The need for improved passenger comfort, increased functionality and lower vehicle manufacturer assembly costs means that glazing systems with infra-red and ultra-violet inhibiting properties, integrated antennas, de-misting and de-icing capabilities and ease of fitting are increasingly required by the OEMs. It’s a window of opportunity for the auto glass industry.

Related Research: Global market review of automotive glazing systems - forecasts to 2014