2010-Automotive Upholstery Design Trends and Factors: 1960-2020

Automotive Upholstery Design Trends and Factors: 1960-2020

Jenna M. Eason, North Carolina State University


Introduction

The automotive industry has played a vital role in the United States’ development since the early twentieth century and has become a driving force of American manufacturing and globalization.
Over the past five decades, the total number of cars and light trucks in the US has risen from 61.7 million in 1960 to 237.4 million by 2007 with annual sales figures peaking in 2000 at over 17.8 million units (Wards, 2009).
Throughout the years, cars have come to represent American culture, style, technology
and affluence. Contributing to the success of vehicle brands has been the development of an industry whose sole purpose has been to supply interior fabrics that meet the performance and aesthetic properties necessary for the automotive industry.
While extensive research has been conducted focusing on exterior automotive styling, this study aims to understand the trend cycles that occurred in automotive interiors since 1960 as well as the factors that contributed to these trends.