Automotive IC's: less testing, more prevention

Electronics is relentlessly gaining new space in automotive. Different application types are converging into the car to increase comfort, performances, safety and entertainment. Many of these applications come from the so-called "consumer" domain which is traditionally undergoing to less severe quality constraints with respect to "automotive grade" products. Automotive products are often heavily tested, with multiple passes, and by monitoring quality indicators used as acceptance tests. Cost of test per each finished good is inevitably growing. On the other hand, average price of automotive products is constantly decreasing. Adding always more does test not necessarily means also improving product quality. Or at least, there might be smarter way to get better results.