Vinyl plays a critical role in helping make modern automobiles safe, cost effective and of high quality, while also reducing their impact on the environment. Among the uses for vinyl in automobiles are body side moldings, windshield system components, interior upholstery, under-the-hood wiring, under-the-car abrasion coatings, floor mats; adhesives and sealants; other components such as dashboards and arm rests.
Vinyl is used in many automotive applications because the material is so flexible. Vinyl helps:
- Makes cars last longer - The durability of vinyl has helped extend the lifespan of the average automobile from 11.5 years in the 1970s to 17 years today.
- Makes cars more affordable - Vinyl is cost effective, and this fact helps ensure that more automobiles remain in the price range of a greater number of people. Alternatives to vinyl automotive products have been found to be significantly more expensive.
- Helps save lives - Vinyl's use in "soft" dashboards helps cushion impact during accidents, and its fire retardant capabilities improve the overall safety of the car.
- Conserves fossil fuels - The manufacture of vinyl requires comparatively low energy consumption, cutting the depletion of natural resources, and vinyl's lightness helps reduce the weight of automobiles and thus reduces fuel consumption.