Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page 22d) 22D • NOVEMBER 10, 2008 INSIGHT Carbon slashes weight, but it’s still too pricey Michael LeGault autonews@crain.com Once deemed too costly for highvolume vehicles, carbon fiber is getting a fresh look from automotive companies eager to improve fuel economy. General Motors is planning a bigger role for carbon fiber in future vehicles, said Matt Tsien, GM’s executive director for global technology engineering. Speaking last month at the Society of Plastic Engineers’ Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition, Tsien said GM has launched a project to drive down the cost of carbon fiber. “Carbon fiber is absolutely great but absolutely too expensive,” Tsien said. Carbon fiber currently sells for about $9.80 a pound. It would need to be $5 to $7 a pound to be suitable for large-scale auto production, says David Warren, manager of transportation composites research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The payoff comes in weight loss. “ Carbon fiber is absolutely great but absolutely too expensive. MATT TSIEN General Motors ” 70% lighter than steel A typical body panel made of carbon-fiber composite can be up to 70 percent lighter than the same part made from steel and 25 to 40 percent lighter than aluminum. The industry’s rule of thumb: A 10 percent drop in a vehicle’s weight yields a 6 percent increase in fuel economy. Researchers think that extensive use of carbon fiber could cut a vehicle’s weight by as much as 40 percent. At least that’s the goal of a project under way in Japan. Toray Industries Inc., the world’s Wherever in the world you compete, Michigan can give you the Upper Hand. 266 IN A SERIES OF THOUSANDS When Michigan invested in ElectroJet, the entire planet breathed a sigh of relief. When ElectroJet developed a revolutionary fuel injection device that significantly reduces emissions for small engines, they needed a boost to get things going. Thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, ElectroJet was able to secure close to $1 million in financing through our 21st Century Jobs Fund. Now, they’re poised to change the future by replacing carburetors on small engines in markets worldwide. Michigan can give companies of any size the fuel they need to grow. Visit our new website today at MichiganAdvantage.org to learn about all the advantages we offer, including aggressive financial and economic incentives available right now. Because wherever in the world you compete, Michigan can give you the Upper Hand. SM largest supplier of carbon fiber, is working with Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. to develop a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for mass-production vehicles. The Japanese government is providing $18.5 million for the project, which also involves Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and several Japanese universities. GM uses carbon-fiber composites to make the hood, front fender and other parts for the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. To lower the cost of the material and expand its use to other models, Tsien said, GM is working to convert to only industrial-grade carbon fiber. More expensive aerospace-grade carbon fiber currently accounts for about 40 percent of the carbon fiber GM uses. GM also is working with a Tier 2 supplier to develop new types of carbon-fiber-laminated materials preimpregnated with plastic, or “prepregs.” A typical carbon-fiber composite part is composed of layers of carbon fabric and plastic, usually epoxy, to bind the fibers and provide surface finish. Pre-pregs contain all these layers and can be inserted and removed from a tool in one step, saving time and money. For decades, carbon-fiber composites have been used successfully in high-performance cars, racing bicycles and tennis rackets, as well the marine and aerospace industries. Barriers remain Despite the industrywide push to improve fuel economy, barriers to increased use of carbon-based composites remain, says Joe Carpenter, technology development manager at the U.S. Department of Energy. “These materials will have to earn their keep on the basis of cost and performance,” he says. Carpenter says one barrier is the large investment auto companies have in metal-forming capital equipment. Dropping steel for carbon fiber would require automakers to scrap that equipment and buy new equipment suited for carbon fiber. Also, an enormous increase in demand for carbon fiber from the aerospace industry has created supply shortages that could plague an excontinued next page Tradeoffs Here’s a rundown of the pluses and minuses of carbon-fiber composites. Advantages Has the strength and stiffness of steel at up to 70% less weight Tooling to make carbon-fiber composite parts is significantly cheaper than tooling to make steel or aluminum parts Easier to make complex, curved and hollow parts Disadvantages Costs almost $10 a pound. Would need to be about $5 to $7 a pound for use in largescale auto production Now requires long production times — about 60 to 90 minutes per part Kyle E. E. Schwulst CEO & Founder ElectroJet Inc. MichiganAdvantage.org MICH12715_Electro_AuNws_F1.indd 1 10/16/08 4:05:18 PM http://www.MichiganAdvantage.org http://www.MichiganAdvantage.org http://www.MichiganAdvantage.org
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - November 10, 2008 Life at 11 million: Slash, rethink The options: Bailout or disaster Can Toyota reheat the frozen Tundra? Chrysler dealers cheer halt to merger talk VW will unveil roadster at Detroit auto show BMW boosts dealers' year-end ad money Mercedes' $220 million flagship Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold Mercedes will kill CLK, add larger coupe, convertible Mitsubishi reclaims its finance business Toyota's Esmond to speak at congress Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market Cash burn rates threaten GM, Ford GMAC: We're nobody's captive As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV U.S. aid is needed now, but not to help Cerberus They are too big to fail Why should we help GM and Chrysler? First and foremost, you must be flexible U.S. trade policy gives it all away To the Editor: A rough ride is nothing new for autos Dealer's politics were pertinent Chrysler's 1st electric: Probably a cargo van Auto meltdown forces Mercedes to scrap prediction of sales record Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too Adding up the tab for fuel economy Camaro Black: Eye-catching, affordable and available Honda sees green in Civic HFP's street performance Honda offers peek at future Fit Ford F-150 Raptor flies off-road Souped-up, tricked-out â and headed for the showroom Report: Toyota plans $5,000 car Amid gloom, Mazda chief sees revival in 2009-10 Report: Past-due subprime loans jump Toyota aims to win loyalty with credit card Study: Car buyers turn green for different reasons Thanks, buddy Hyundai helps Dealers Metaldyne offers pennies to bondholders Obituaries Personnel As expected, Oct. sales sank Another Chinese automaker plans Mexico factory Honda backs off U.S. clean diesels Industry pal, foe vie for key post in Congress Industry expects more activism from D.C. N.A. output falls 19.9% Toyota moves in striking distance of GM's U.S. sales crown Going, going . . . An ex-GM exec's view: It's going to get nasty Sex, Nazis, chicken and BMW: A scandal that puts fiction writers to shame Recession rips up roadster market Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' Want to boost mpg? Turn up the heat on AC Cutting energy loss: A nibble here, a nibble there ... Carbon slashes weight, but it's still too pricey Carmakers shift to gears in search of mpg gains Natural gas draws interest as alternative fuel Friction? Ay, there's the rub Electric for a week Automotive News - November 10, 2008 Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Bellyband1) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Bellyband2) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - The options: Bailout or disaster (Page 1) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - The options: Bailout or disaster (Page 2) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - VW will unveil roadster at Detroit auto show (Page 3) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold (Page 4) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold (Page 5) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market (Page 6) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market (Page 7) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch (Page 8) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch (Page 9) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV (Page 10) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV (Page 11) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - First and foremost, you must be flexible (Page 12) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - First and foremost, you must be flexible (Page 13) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealer's politics were pertinent (Page 14) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealer's politics were pertinent (Page 15) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Auto meltdown forces Mercedes to scrap prediction of sales record (Page 16) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 17) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 18) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 19) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 20) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 21) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22a) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22b) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22c) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22d) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22e) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22f) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22g) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22h) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22i) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22j) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22k) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22l) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 23) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Souped-up, tricked-out â and headed for the showroom (Page 24) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Amid gloom, Mazda chief sees revival in 2009-10 (Page 25) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota aims to win loyalty with credit card (Page 26) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Hyundai helps (Page 27) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealers (Page 28) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 29) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 30) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 31) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 32) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 33) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 34) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 35) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 36) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As expected, Oct. sales sank (Page 37) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Honda backs off U.S. clean diesels (Page 38) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Industry expects more activism from D.C. (Page 39) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Industry expects more activism from D.C. (Page 40) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - N.A. output falls 19.9% (Page 41) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 42) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 43) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 44)
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