The design of convertible vehicles is often based on sibling vehicles of the saloon or coupé line of cars. However, by taking off the top of a self-supporting structure, the convertible’s structure loses stiffness which leads to torsion vibrations. ARTEC Aerospace demonstrated to Daimler Chrysler that by using SPADD technology used on the European launcher Ariane, stiffening elements of 30 to 40 kg mass could be saved on a Mercedes CLK roadster.