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New Steels Can Help Automakers Cut Vehicle Weight, Industry Representatives Say
08/05/2015 - Although some automobile manufacturers said they'll use a combination of materials -- steel, aluminum and carbon fiber -- to cut down weight, steel industry representatives counter that they could reach that goal just as easily by using the latest ultra-high-strength steels.
Speaking during the Center for Automotive Research's annual Management Briefing Seminars, Eric Petersen, vice president of research and innovation for AK Steel, told attendees that automakers could use the latest steels to make lighter vehicles, saving on the cost of having convert factories from welding to riveting and bonding, according to a report in Automotive News.
“As we bring on new steels, how you join them is not a barrier,” he told the audience, Automotive News reported.
Jody Hall, automotive market vice president at the Steel Market Development Institute, said the steel grades available now give automakers all they need to reduce weight, noting that they have more than 200 grades from which to choose, according to the report.
Automakers had but two in 1960, she said, according to Automotive News.
She predicted that steel will remain the material of choice for trucks and SUVs, but that steel will have to compete with aluminum as the material for hang-on parts such as doors, trunk lids, fenders and hoods.
According to Automotive News, officials from BMW and Audi told attendees that their companies have taken a mixed-materials approach to weight reduction on the BMW 7-series sports sedan and the Audi R8 sports car by using steel, aluminum and carbon fiber.
“The disadvantage is the cost figure. Aluminum and carbon fiber are still more expensive than steel, and we are working in this for the future,” said Manfred Sindel, quality manager for Audi.
“As we bring on new steels, how you join them is not a barrier,” he told the audience, Automotive News reported.
Jody Hall, automotive market vice president at the Steel Market Development Institute, said the steel grades available now give automakers all they need to reduce weight, noting that they have more than 200 grades from which to choose, according to the report.
Automakers had but two in 1960, she said, according to Automotive News.
She predicted that steel will remain the material of choice for trucks and SUVs, but that steel will have to compete with aluminum as the material for hang-on parts such as doors, trunk lids, fenders and hoods.
According to Automotive News, officials from BMW and Audi told attendees that their companies have taken a mixed-materials approach to weight reduction on the BMW 7-series sports sedan and the Audi R8 sports car by using steel, aluminum and carbon fiber.
“The disadvantage is the cost figure. Aluminum and carbon fiber are still more expensive than steel, and we are working in this for the future,” said Manfred Sindel, quality manager for Audi.
