A happy new year for the automotive industry?

Jan 20, 2025

For a business that was founded in 1947, it is easy to concentrate on the heritage of the Borough brand, but we have always been an innovative business. We were one of the pioneers to deliver a high-quality chrome finish for injection moulded components, starting in the ‘60s.

Although we service many industries with injection moulded and electroplated parts, the automotive sector has been central to our growth. Much has changed in the intervening years, with MINI a prime example of how changing consumer demands have impacted manufacturing.

There were approximately six to seven distinct Mini models when Borough was founded, whereas the modern MINI brand, under BMW’s ownership, has significantly expanded its lineup. Borough supported this growth with the moulding and plating of more than 1 million speaker grills for a number of models.

As of 2025, MINI offers a diverse range of models, including, MINI Cooper 2-Door and 4-Door available in both petrol and electric versions. MINI Convertible for those who prefer an open-top driving experience or MINI Clubman estate models for those with more to carry.

The MINI Countryman is a compact SUV available with all-wheel drive and for those who revel in the brands sporty heritage, MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) offers high-performance variants across multiple body styles.

What does 2025 hold for the industry?

The automotive industry in 2025 will continue to undergo significant transformation driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences and regulatory developments across the globe.

This is an overview of what the experienced team here at Borough believe will be the main factors influencing the automotive industry, the key design features emerging this year and anticipated changes in vehicle interiors.

Electrification and EV adoption – The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) will continue to accelerate, with manufacturers expanding their EV lineups to meet increasing consumer demand and comply with stricter environmental regulations.

Autonomous driving technologies – Advancements in autonomous vehicle technology will continue to progress quickly, with more vehicles incorporating Level 2 automation as standard, which enhance driver assistance and safety features.

Sustainability and environmental concerns – There will be a growing emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices, including the use of recycled and bio-based materials, as well as efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of production processes.

Connectivity and digitalisation – Vehicles will be increasingly connected, offering enhanced infotainment systems, over-the-air updates and integration with smart devices to provide a more seamless user experience. Even the language is changing to describe the consumers.

Supply Chain Challenges – The industry will continue to navigate supply chain disruptions, particularly in semiconductor availability, prompting manufacturers to seek more resilient and diversified sourcing strategies, with single sourcing of components a priority.

What key design features do we expect in 2025

We know a lot about designing components to ensure they can be successfully injection moulded for electroplating, but would not claim to know what the car designers of today and tomorrow have planned for the looks of their models.

However, we feel confident enough, given our affinity to the automotive industry and the nature of some of the projects we continue to be involved with, to comment on the features we can expect to be delivered as part of the new car experience.

Aerodynamic efficiency – Designs will continue to focus on improved aerodynamics to enhance vehicle efficiency, particularly for EVs, where reduced drag contributes to extended range. Expect more cameras and fewer mirrors.

Sustainable materials – The incorporation of eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastics and natural fibres, will become more prevalent in both vehicle exteriors and interiors, aligning manufacturers with their environmental sustainability goals.

Advanced lighting systems – There will be innovations in lighting, including adaptive LED and laser headlights, as well as customisable ambient interior lighting, all to enhance both functionality and the aesthetics of new designs.

Minimalist interiors – Interiors will become increasingly designed with the focus on simplicity and improving the user experience, featuring intuitive controls, larger touchscreens, and reduced physical buttons.

Enhanced Safety Features – There will continue to be a focus on improving safety standards of all models and sizes, with the integration of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and improved structural designs high on any design features list.

Anticipated changes in vehicle interiors

In recent years we have been responsible for a huge variety of components for automotive interiors, using stain and bright chrome finish to enhance the experience in the cabin. This is an area we feel very comfortable sharing our insights and thoughts.

Flexible Seating Arrangements – With the progression towards autonomous driving, we expect interiors will be designed to offer more flexible and configurable seating to accommodate various passenger activities, or for seats to be easily removed for even greater flexibility.

Increased use of sustainable materials – Manufacturers will incorporate more sustainable and eco-friendly materials into interior designs, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility, including recycled plastics and trivalent chrome.

Enhanced infotainment systems – Interiors will feature more advanced infotainment setups with larger displays, improved connectivity, and easier integration with personal devices to provide a more immersive experience.

Ambient lighting and personalisation – We expect more customisable ambient lighting being used to enhance the in-cabin experience, allowing occupants to tailor the environment to their preferences, with satin chrome decorating interior features more than exterior parts.

Focus on comfort and wellness – There will be an increased emphasis on occupant comfort and wellness, with features such as climate-controlled seats, air purification systems, and noise reduction technologies are likely to become more common, with satin chrome again featuring.

We believe these developments indicate a dynamic evolution in the automotive industry, with 2025 marking a significant year for innovation in vehicle design and functionality. Borough will continue to invest and innovate to ensure we reflect the needs of our customers’ changing needs to deliver the new models the public crave.