But the development work that they and their colleagues did is beneficial not only to their customers, but to everyone for whom the environment is an abiding concern. The exterior mirror housings on this 1998 Ford Taurus are produced with a conductive plastic material. This means that the mirrors are painted without the need for a conductive primer, which minimizes the emissions involved in the paint process and helps reduce the price of the component. There is no negative effect on quality. It's the proverbial double-win.
Necessity is frequently the mother of invention.
But sometimes things are developed not because there is a need per se, but because it is a notable improvement on what is presently available. This approach doesn't happen all that frequently, but when it does, it can make a big difference. There is also a development lab. Plastics Technology Online Electrostatic Improvements. In 1994, says Darrin K. Keiser, Paint Business Unit manager at the plant, electrostatic reciprocators were installed in the paint system.