Damaged-Vehicles.com

Prodrive has exchanged contracts with three manufacturers of sports and luxury cars in order to provide a selection of carbon composite vehicle components.

The deal will see parts developed for an estimated total of 5,000 vehicles over a space of six years, with the agreements worth more than £10 million.

This increase in carbon car parts could also be reflected in the damaged-vehicle sector if more consumers adopt environmentally-friendly measures and recycle their vehicles' materials.

Carbon composite components will be incorporated into the exteriors of cars produced by the two luxury automotive manufacturers, with the parts' sizes varying depending on type..

In addition to external sub-assemblies, bumper inserts, door mirrors, rear diffusers and sill extensions, the sports car developer is set to receive full carbon interior trims from Prodrive.

Prodrive's composites manager Ian Handscombe said: "These are the largest ever contracts for our composites division, both in terms of volume and value, and mark a significant step by vehicle manufacturers towards the increased use of carbon fibre for exterior applications."

The organisation is also specifically focusing on extensive environmental testing in an attempt to ensure that its components remain robust and durable in extreme climates.

These new orders will entail a rise in manufacturing volume for Prodrive, which has prepared for its predicted demand by devising new production processes that enable operators to develop car parts simultaneously.

Mr Handscombe claimed that the new agreements will offer other benefits for the company. He said: "These contracts give us an opportunity to bring moulded composites manufacture into a higher volume environment and to demonstrate that with rigorous design and materials selection."

Carbon composite parts are not the only new components that damaged-vehicle traders can expect to enter the market in the next few years, as Ford has recently unveiled its new SYNC technology.

The systems will provide voice-controlled connectivity and infotainment and is expected to feature in nearly two million models by 2015.