Engineering decisions
Requirements, architecture, CAD, CAE, DFMEA, prototypes, and validation evidence.
Concept to customer · 15 practical chapters
Automotive Product Development Knowledge Hub
A structured engineering guide to vehicle planning, design, validation, homologation, production readiness, conformity, and continuous improvement.
15connected chapters
14technical infographics
DV · PVvalidation explained
COP · WVSCoPongoing compliance
The complete development journey
Move through the process in sequence
Each chapter combines practical explanation, activities, deliverables, gate evidence, a process infographic, FAQs, and links to the adjacent development phase.
DiscoverEngineerValidateComplyLaunchSustain
01
Process Overview
See the complete concept-to-customer development system.
02
Market & Product Planning
Define customer need, business viability, and product direction.
03
Concept Development
Create, compare, and select feasible vehicle concepts.
04
Vehicle Architecture
Define the package, systems, domains, and interfaces.
05
Detailed Engineering
Release robust design data using CAD, CAE, and DFMEA.
06
Prototype Development
Build and integrate vehicles for learning and verification.
07
DV & PV Testing
Prove design intent and real-world customer performance.
08
Homologation
Demonstrate regulatory compliance and obtain type approval.
09
Industrialization
Prepare processes, tooling, suppliers, controls, and people.
10
Pilot Build & Pre-SOP
Validate the production system before serial release.
11
Start of Production
Launch serial production with controlled ramp-up.
12
Mass Production
Sustain quality, delivery, cost, safety, and productivity.
13
COP & WVSCoP
Maintain conformity with the approved vehicle type.
14
Market Feedback
Turn field, warranty, dealer, and customer data into action.
15
Lifecycle Review
Connect every phase around quality and customer satisfaction.
One system, many disciplines
Use the full process map as your orientation point
Follow gates, deliverables, cross-functional responsibilities, quality controls, and customer outcomes across the complete automotive lifecycle.
Read the process overview
Built for working knowledge
Find the evidence behind each decision
Written for engineers, students, suppliers, quality teams, manufacturing professionals, validation teams, and regulatory practitioners.
Compliance decisions
Homologation, type approval, technical files, COP, WVSCoP, and controlled changes.
Manufacturing decisions
Industrialization, tooling, PFMEA, control plans, pilot builds, SOP, and ramp-up.
Customer decisions
Voice of customer, market feedback, warranty learning, field quality, and continuous improvement.
Start with the lifecycle, then go deep where your role demands it.