Breakthrough technologies and innovations routinely pop into the middle of the bustling auto industry. And sometimes the rest of the industry largely ignores the development — or worse, an idea will make it to market only to have new-car shoppers give it the cold shoulder.
But other times, a fuse is lit. Competitors realize the wisdom of a new approach and a technology emerges from a far corner of the business to find widespread use.
Airbags were once such an idea. The expensive technology appeared only on a few high-end models — but then the federal government declared them to be safety features that ought to be standard. The hipster trend of aftermarket exterior lighting accessorizing has morphed into factory lights that display names and logos and provide soft colors to cabins at night.