20/05/2022
50 Years Ago at the Founding of Lumberg Netherlands - Part 5: Automotive
Fifty years ago, in October 1972, Lumberg Netherlands was established as a branch of the German company Lumberg. This marked a major milestone, and later this year, we will continue to look back at key moments in our rich history. In this series, we explore what else happened in 1972. Here’s Part 5: Automotive.
Car of the Year 1972
In 1972, the award for Car of the Year went to Fiat for its 127 model. This front-wheel-drive car was smaller than the 128. Its design made it well-suited for a hatchback body style, although the Fiat 127 wasn’t available with a third door until 1973.
Concept Cars
In 1972, BMW built its first concept car, and it was an instant success. The impact of its debut was massive, thanks to every detail, from its bright signal-orange front to the bold name on the back: BMW Turbo. It was a landmark year for the Munich-based brand.
That same year, the Volvo Experimental Safety Car (VESC) was unveiled at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show. This vehicle was ahead of its time in terms of automotive safety and featured a range of technical innovations that would later become standard in Volvo’s leadership in vehicle safety.
Picture source: Autoweek
Road Safety
In 1972, new laws were introduced to improve road safety, making helmets for motorcyclists and seat belts for drivers and passengers legally required. While these measures helped save lives, they were met with strong opposition at the time.
According to Pieter van Vollenhoven, then-chairman of the Dutch Council for Road Safety, there was widespread resistance to these mandates. The compulsory seat belt law was viewed as an infringement on human rights. This resistance led to seat belts being required only in the front seats, with rear-seat belts not becoming mandatory until 20 years later.
Today
Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine, many manufacturers are struggling with production planning and raw material shortages. This has resulted in a crisis situation unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years. At Lumberg, we are also experiencing delays, with longer lead times for delivering connectors to the automotive industry. These macroeconomic challenges are felt across the board, with extended wait times for new vehicles affecting everyone.
Providing connectivity solutions to the automotive industry has been a cornerstone of Lumberg's rich history.