Part one of a two part series of articles focuses on automotive textiles. As the annual convention of the Wirkerei und Strickerei Fachleute (hosiery and knitting experts), Heiner Finke of Deutsche Bobinet GmbH discussed the use of such textiles as warp knit fabrics in automobiles. Warp knit fabrics are currently used for headliners and support covers. Their advantages include low weight and low cost. These fabrics are manufactured to precise specifications, such as flexibility, electrostatic properties, wear, pilling, and colorfastness.