Both current and future automobiles can be considered as rolling platforms, supported by numerous electrical and electronic systems. These systems have many functions to perform including emissions control, performance monitoring and deployment of safety equipment. The systems can be passive, active or intelligent. There is however a common thread to all of these systems: they are held together through a myriad of small joints. These small joints are manufactured using techniques that can currently be found on a larger scale in the assembly of bodies-in-white goods as well as for mechanical parts. These processes include welding by ultrasonic, resistance and lasers as well as soldering and the fabrication of adhesively bonded joints.