Designers of vehicle cup-holders express frustration at wide variety of beverage packages and fountain/coffee cups now sold. Auto company engineer tells BD: "The hugely varying size and shapes of drink containers is a real challenge." Other designer calls it "enigma." Designer at major manufacturer of interior automotive components: "Americans demand cup-holders ... Some buying decisions, especially in family-oriented vehicles, are based upon how many there are and how they fit the preferred packages." Engineers and designers say many vehicle cup-holders today "miss the mark" with too many currently-popular packages. Automotive company designer: "We could accomplish almost anything if we made the cup-holder (with) as many moving parts as, say, an engine, and it would undoubtedly cost nearly as much. Unfortunately, the powers that be won't let us do that, so we have to try to fit the most popular containers in a simple shape. It's determining 'most popular' that's the biggest challenge."

Package priorities. Research by vehicle manufacturer indicates 12-oz cans remain "the giant in sales," despite inroads by 20-oz PET. Engineers say cup-holders designed to fit packages in following order: 1) cans. 2) "medium" paper cups used for both fountain drinks and coffee. Designer says "unfortunately (these are) non-standard, (we design for) McDonald's first, Burger King second, KFC/Taco Bell 3rd, Wendy's 4th." 3) large fountain cup -- 21 to 24-oz -- standard with fast-food industry "value" meals. Engineer: "This size is standard with the top-5 fast-food chains, amazingly." 4) 20-oz CSD bottle. Diameters vary slightly, but engineer notes "ease" of working with these packages. 5) "small" paper cup, used for kids' fountain drinks and coffee. 6) .5-liter PET bottle. Engineer: "these packages are insanely non-standard ... every water company's is different." 7) "extra-large" 32-oz paper cup used for "super-size" fast-food meals and big C-store fountain drinks like 7-Eleven's "Big Gulp." 8) large insulated plastic mugs, sold by coffee shops and C-stores to allow frequent customer refills.

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