First Car with 100% Paint-Film-Decorated Thermoplastic Exterior

What is purported to be the world’s first vehicle featuring a Class-A exterior produced entirely of thermoformed plastics with a laminated paint-film decorative surface will also be the first vehicle designed specifically for law enforcement. The E7 concept vehicle will be unveiled at the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police next month in San Diego by Atlanta-based start-up company Carbon Motors Corp. The E7’s thermoplastic exterior is being developed with Fluorex Paintfilm from Soliant, LLC, Lancaster, S.C. The E7 will use an enhanced, UV-cured film technology with added scratch and mar resistance. The dry paint film is laminated onto a thermoplastic sheet substrate, which is then made into body panels via single- or twin-sheet thermoforming. Although various engineered thermoplastics may be used initially, many of the components are TPO and Carbon Motors’ target is an all-TPO exterior. According to John Cuspid, Soliant’s v.p. of sales, gravelometer tests on paint-film panels and painted panels demonstrate the thicker paint-film’s superior durability. The paint film also avoids the “orange peel” effect frequently seen with paint. Carbon Motors plans to develop a North American production facility in the very near future. Soliant: (800) 268-9401 • www.paintfilm.com Carbon Motors: (404) 806-9906 • www.carbonmotors.com