Competent and Innovative R&D Partner for the Automotive Industry and National Importers
Innovative newly developed products and the just-in-time production of special vehicle series have been the domain of Car Research & Development (CRD) since 1988. CRD is a company in the BRABUS® Group and works predominantly for the international automotive industry and its national importers. The company’s list of references includes such renowned brands as Chrysler, Dodge, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Opel, Range Rover, Saab, SsangYong, Subaru and Toyota.
The services of the company range from market analysis to designing and engineering special models and accessories programs to flexible just-in-time production of special model series. Depending on customer preferences CRD can manufacture the products in its own plant in Bottrop or deliver directly to the assembly lines, or the vehicle preparation centers (PDIs) at the importers‘ ports of destination.
The full-service company draws upon a team of highly motivated engineers, designers and marketing specialists who develop successful products that take the latest market trends and legal requirements into consideration.
The CRD engineers and designers utilize state-of-the-art CAD technology in all their projects. Models are built in closely guarded secure areas with access only for authorized personnel. The same security measures are in place for the state-of-the-art workshop where the prototypes are built and where the finished models are digitized for manufacturing the required tools and dies.
CRD has the latest production facilities at its disposal and provides storage space for more than 1,000 vehicles, guarded 24 hours a day. The CRD logistics center manages the smooth transport of vehicles to the customers’ distribution centers or directly to the respective authorized dealers.
For the development of complete engines or performance kits including all necessary testing and calibrating procedures CRD uses latest-generation stationary and dynamic test benches.
Another CRD specialty is the company-own proving ground that features among others a skid pad, a shake test track with Belgian Block cobblestone and a certified configurable noise measuring track. This makes CRD also an ideal partner for the ECE homologation of a wide range of vehicles that we conduct for automobile manufacturers from around the world.
At the Frankfurt International Auto Show IAA 2009 the engineering, design and marketing firm is present with its own stand hall 5. From here CRD will make and maintain contact to other exhibiting automobile manufacturers and importers.
Conversations with consumers and car dealers serve as extensive on-site market research to examine zeitgeist and consumers’ expectations.
In March 2008 the premium brand Infiniti celebrated its market launch in Europe. Now Infiniti presents a concept car made by CRD. The concept car comes with two different engines. The FX37S is powered by a 3.7-liter (226 cu. in.) V6 engine that produces 320 hp (316 bhp) / 235.5 kW. Carrying the FX50S badge it is powered by a 5.0-liter (305 cu. in.) V8 engine with 390 hp (385 bhp) / 287 kW. This “Limited Edition” concept car of the Infiniti FX celebrates its world debut on the CRD stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA 2009.
These five-door models are available in black or white and set themselves apart with special 21-inch turbine-design light-alloy wheels. The wheels, front grille, side air inlets in the front fenders and the roof carrier are all painted gray.
CRD lends the Infiniti FX concept car a sporty luxurious interior. The upper part of the dashboard as well as the upper parts of all four door panels are covered with the finest leather in the company upholstery shop. Brown seams create a classy contrast to the black leather and complement the perfectly matched dark-brown surface structure of the CRD carbon fiber interior trim.
A- and B-pillars as well as the entire headliner are covered with color-coordinated Alcantara.
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