Research and Markets: Global Analysis of Weight Reduction Strategies of Major OEMs

DUBLIN--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/299f84/global_analysis_of) has
announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Global Analysis of
Weight Reduction Strategies of Major OEMs" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Global Analysis of Weight
Reduction Strategies of Major OEMs provides markets trends and developments,
industry challenges, market drivers and restraints. This research service also
gives an analysis of product and technology along with market size, and forecast
assessment.

This analysis is available through the publisher's Automotive & Transportation
Growth Partnership Services programme. With continuous access to intelligence
and resources from all seven perspectives of the Complex Business Universe, the
Growth Partnership Services programme ensures that you and your Growth Team are
able to maintain a 360 Degree Perspective of the market. This comprehensive,
objective information allows your company to mitigate risk, identify new
opportunities, and drive effective strategies for growth.

Manufacturers Attempt to Reduce the Weight of Their Vehicles to Comply with
Emission Standards

Now-a-days, vehicles have an increasing number of advanced features, making them
heavier with higher fuel consumption. As customers have become progressively
environmentally conscious, the shift from gas-guzzlers to fuel sippers has
continued, despite plunging gasoline prices. This is evident from the 25 percent
drop in the sales of sports utility and pickup vehicles in North America. It has
become a challenge for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to manufacture
more fuel-efficient vehicles without compromising on their performance while, at
the same time, complying with stringent CO2 emission and fuel economy standards.
The key challenge will be to maintain an optimum balance between cost, weight
and performance.

"Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission regulations and fuel consumption improvement are
the major factors impelling OEMs to reduce vehicle weight," says the analyst of
this research. "The European Parliament has approved a stringent CO2 limit which
mandates car manufacturers to cut car emissions from the current level of 160
g/km of CO2 to 120 g/km by 2012 to 2015." At the same time, the U.S. Government
is focusing on developing fuel-efficient vehicles. According to the U.S.
President Obama's administration plan for the 2016 model year, the new-vehicle
fleet in the United States will average 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg).

OEMs to Develop Technologies for Long-term Sustainability of Fuel-Efficient
Vehicles

Currently, the production of lightweight materials, especially carbon fibers, is
very expensive. They have been slow to replace steel as the primary material
used in new cars due to the energy needed to heat as well as the extensive
capital equipment required to manufacture such materials. The economic slowdown
coupled with expensive light weight materials used as a replacement for certain
heavy materials is a major challenge for the market participants as the OEMs
need to make investments. "The biggest challenge facing the market currently is
the recession which has tied the hands of OEMs with regard to investment,"
cautions the analyst. "Added to this is the high cost of certain light weight
materials used as replacements for heavy materials."

European and Asian OEMs have more experience in manufacturing fuel-efficient
vehicles as they need to comply with fuel economy standards and emissions
regulations. However, it will be more challenging for the U.S. OEMs, for whom
stringent fuel economy standards have recently been introduced, to shift from
larger gas-guzzlers to fuel sippers and to convince their customers to buy
smaller cars. "Although the Americans can adopt certain successful European and
Asian OEM strategies in the short-term, it is important to develop technologies
for long-term sustainability," advises the analyst. "While OEMs in the United
States have resorted to introducing small car models, their European
counterparts should focus on weight reduction in their small and mid-size
vehicle models."

Key Topics Covered:

* 1. Executive Summary
* 2. Vehicle Weight Reduction - Industry Challenges, Market Drivers and
Restraints and Legislation
* 3. Analysis and Forecasts of Weight Reduction in the Automotive Body In White
(BIW)
* 4. Analysis and Forecasts of Weight Reduction in the Automotive Powertrain
Modules and Systems
* 5. Analysis and Forecasts of Weight Reduction in the Automotive Chassis
Modules and Systems
* 6. Analysis and Forecasts of Weight Reduction in the Automotive Interior
Modules and Systems
* 7. Weight Reduction Concepts and Examples
* 8. Weight Reduction Strategies of Major OEMs
* 9. Voice of the Consumers - Results from Consumer Study (Europe)
* 10. Key Findings and Conclusion

For more information visit
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/299f84/global_analysis_of

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
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