Steel Market Development Institute (Michigan, USA):

Anderson D., Senior Director – Automotive Market, e-mail: redaktion@stahleisen.de

The steel industry solves the lightweighting challenge and enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to achieve their corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) targets without having to incur the cost penalties associated with alternative materials. In the last ten years, automakers have rapidly adopted the use of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). The global Ultra-Light Steel Auto Body (ULSAB) and ULSABAVC projects, a series of engineering studies completed in 2002, and the Future-Steel-Vegicle (FSV) study completed in 2011, show the rapid growth of AHSS and demonstrate the potential for continued lightweighting with AHSS. Most recently, when comparing 2013 to 2010 use of steels in vehicles, AHSS increased by 7.1 kg per vehicle. These statistics prove steel continues to be essential for body lightweighting. One area of innovation is third-generation steels. The goal is to bridge the gap between conventional AHSS and the austenitic-based steels. The industry persistently works to find improvements in the processing methods for AHSS with the development of unique, high-tech approaches to manufacturing parts from new steel grades. The examination of stamping and tooling operations, as well as joining strategies and models for formability, enable the easy transition of new grades to existing stamping, joining and assembly processes. Lightweighting using steel will help improve vehicle fuel efficiency, affordability, durability and quality — all necessary for a successful 2025 vehicle.