Quote:
Originally Posted by mgmueller
Noise of an engine may seem ridiculous to some. But to car manufacturers for example it seems to be essential. Else they wouldn't have numerous departments for stuff like that.
|
It *is* essential.
(In fact, the Cadillac Cimmaron was an enormous failure not just because it was built off a cheap generic GM platform but also because Cadillac buyers didn't like the engine sound. "It doesn't sound like a Cadillac!" "The engine sounds like a sewing machine!" It was actually a fairly quiet car but the sound that got through wasn't the right kind of sound.)
Anybody who reads car reviews (especially of sports and luxury cars) knows that "exhaust note", throttle noise, and wind/road noise are things reviewers and testers look for. That there will be noise is a given--even electrics have to contend with mechanical noise--but some noises are more annoying than others and some are downright pleasing. Some of that is visceral/atavistic, some of it is cultural, all of it can be monetized through higher sales.
And if it can be monetized it will be studied, refined, and optimized. Which means deep investment over decades. The kind of investment nobody want to see be undercut so wherever possible they seek to protect it.
The easiest ways are to protect their muffler designs, their exhaust layouts, the header designs, the *way* accoustic insulation is applied; to identify the methods that combine to produce their signature sound profile and patent those.
One thing I suspect we'll see and soon is electric vehicle manufacturers trademarking *their* "noise". Because they're so quiet, a lot of localities are requiring EVs to add some kind of distinctive sound so people can hear them coming. Which opens up the door for Tesla to add a trademarked sound generator so anybody can tell Teslas apart from Chevys from Fiskers, and not just automotive aficionadoes.
Harley may have given up on Trademarking their sound but EV manufacturers will very likely do it. And rightfully so, too.