In the Serbian city of Kragujevac, car components supplier Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI, Shanghai / China; www.yfai.com) has started up its first facility in that country for the production of interior components. Initially, 180 employees will be working on an area of 18,500 m², but over the next few years, YFAI wants to gradually raise the number to 800. The plant will increase YFAI’s presence in the region, where it already has production plants in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.

YFAI is a 70:30 joint venture between the Chinese SAIC subsidiary Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems and car seat manufacturer Adient (Dublin / Ireland; www.adient.com). It is specialised in instrument panels, consoles, door panels and other decorative trim as well as lighting systems, and like a number of other component suppliers, is also working on projects for autonomous vehicles and interiors that adapt to changing conditions. They include “Active Space” for interaction with an autonomous level 5 vehicle. The idea is that with less time at the wheel and more time for other activities during the journey, the interior of the future will have to cover a variety of different case scenarios. Functional textile surfaces, sensors, health and wellness features, and connectivity are demonstrated in the “Experience in Motion 2020” (XiM20) concept car.