Design Analysis & Redesign: Chevrolet Bolt EV

Design is very important in different fields, especially in the car manufacturing industry because design is not only the matter of comfort but also the matter of safety in case of car design. In this regard, it is possible to refer to the case of Chevrolet Bolt EV design, when designers attempted to save costs and used low-cost and poor interior materials that create a very comfortable interior environment. However, this case is an example of the poor design which needs to be fixed since such design creates unnecessary discomfort for the driver and passengers that may trigger the risk of car accidents, in case of long trips because the driver grows tired.

Description of the device

The major problem in the design of the interior is the use of cheap and light materials because designers of Chevrolet Bolt EV attempted to save costs and weight of the vehicle by all means. This is why, they used cheap and light materials which make the interior not only look but also feel uncomfortable. Seats of the car are uncomfortable and do not hold the driver and passengers well.  Front seats look cheap, it’s because they are, but not necessarily just for the sake of keeping costs down. Chevy’s engineers used a new lightweight design and low-density foam to keep weight down too and make the most out of the battery life to make it as long as possible. However, such concerns of designers about the battery life resulted in the poor seat design and uncomfortable feeling. The seats are adjustable in multiple ways, making it easy to get into a comfortable driving position, but even when sliding out of the car, the driver can feel what little of the cushion there is completely depress until the driver’s leg makes contact with the plastic frame. Such materials and design of seats make them uncomfortable. The image of the seats of Chevrolet Bolt EV is as follows (See Image 1):

Image 1.

Stakeholders and users

The flaw in the design of the interior of Chevrolet Bolt EV cars affects both direct and indirect stakeholders. Direct stakeholders are customers, who use such cars on the regular basis and who may experience troubles with traveling for long distance and suffer from the pain in the back and general discomfort because of uncomfortable seats. Another direct stakeholder is GM, the company that manufactures cars with such interior design, where seats are uncomfortable and plastic is potentially creaky because it is hard and cheap. The company is responsible for the design of the interior and provides warranty for the proper functioning of all the equipment and the entire car, but the uncomfortable interior and, especially seats, make the use of the car difficult and uncomfortable (Lamm & Holls 2013). If customers experience problems, they may file the lawsuit and require the compensation of damages from the company. For example, if a driver of Chevrolet Bolt EV gets into an accident because he/she grows tired and proves the link between his/her exhaustion and uncomfortable seats, the driver can win the case.

There are also indirect stakeholders, which include passengers, who may be in the car and also suffer from uncomfortable seats. Moreover, in case of Chevrolet Bolt, back seat passengers are located higher compared to front row passengers that may be also uncomfortable and cause exhaustion and painful feelings.

Stakeholders’ motivations, goals, and value

Primary stakeholders are the most motivated. Customers are motivated to use their care safely and comfortable. They want to use Chevrolet Bolt EV and enjoy the comfortable seats and interior. They pay for Chevrolet car and expect to receive the decent level of comfort, excellent ergonomics and reliable and safe car. The car manufacturer expects customers are satisfied with its car (Babaian 17). If customers are not satisfied, the company will suffer financial losses because of low sale rates and possible lawsuits filed by dissatisfied customers. The primary goal of the company is to sell cars that meet needs of customers and provide them with comfort and safety.

Analysis and critique of the design

The design of seats is uncomfortable because they are not ergonomic and do not hold the driver and passengers tight and do not have sufficient support to the body of the driver or passengers. The pursuit of light weight has had a negative impact on the comfort of seats

The flaw of the design

The first problem is the risk of negative feelings customers may have while using Chevrolet Bolt EV. Customers expect to have comfortable seats and they grow disappointed if they get seats like those in Chevrolet Bolt EV.

The second problem is the development of painful feelings in the back and the driver and passengers may grow tired faster compared to other cars that have more comfortable seats.

The third problem is the major problem because the discomfort caused by seats can distract the driver from the driving process. If the driver grows tired and distracts from driving, the risk of car accidents increases. Therefore, the design flaw of Chevrolet Bolt EV related to uncomfortable seats may be the risk factor that can cause car accidents and, thus, the car may be potentially dangerous for customers.

Fixing the design

The problem in design needs the resolution because uncomfortable seats are the risk factor for the driver and passengers of Chevrolet Bolt EV. In fact, it is not only the matter of comfort but also and mainly the matter of customer safety. This is why GM should change the design of its seats for Chevrolet Bolt EV. In this regard, the company may just use existing seats which have proved to be comfortable like seats of Chevrolet Cruze or Malibu. Redesigning seats will resolve, to a significant extent, the problem of the discomfort in the interior of Chevrolet Bolt EV. New seats should be ergonomic, hold the driver and passengers tight, and provide efficient support to their bodies.

Conclusion

Thus, the ineffective and flaw design of the interior of Chevrolet Bolt EV needs changes to make seats more comfortable. Designers of the company should focus on seats above all because they expose the driver of the car to the major risk of growing tired fast and distracted from driving. Such effect may trigger car accidents. This is why GM has to redesign its seats for Chevrolet Bolt EV. The use of seats from other models of Chevrolet, which are more successful, more ergonomic and comfortable is the possible solution that can help to make driving Chevrolet Bolt EV not only much more comfortable but also safer. In case of seats, the issue of safety should be prior for the company to the issue of costs and weight of seats, but safety of seats is also closely intertwined with their comfort.

Works Cited:

Babaian, Sharon. The Most Benevolent Machine: A Historical Assessment of Cycles in Canada. Ottawa: National Museum of Science and Technology, 1998.

Hillier, Victor and Albert Walter. Motor Vehicles Basic Principles. Nelson Thornes, 1991.

Gkikas, Nikolaos ed. Automotive Ergonomics: Driver – Vehicle Interaction. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press, 2013

Lamm Michael and Dave Holls. A. Century of Automotive Style, Lamm-Morada Publishing Co. Inc., Stockton CA, 2013.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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