The automotive industry is in the midst of some big changes as it relates to regulation, tariffs, and consumer preferences – all of which could threaten to add costs in an industry that’s predicting some decline. So don’t be surprised to learn that automakers have some tricks of their sleeves, and Automotive News is reporting that the industry is exploring an advancement in metals that might make a big difference in the way their vehicles are designed.
For a long time, steel has been the primary metal used for bodies but in recent years aluminum has crept in as a lighter alternative when car companies were being pressured to cut weight and improve fuel economy. Ford famously debuted the 2015 F-150 with an aluminum body, a move that reportedly cut about 700 pounds from the vehicle.
But according to Auto News, it’s looking more like aluminum – rather than taking off, might be more of a blip on the radar. That’s because there’s a new steel alloy – advanced, high-strength steel – that’s being touted as stronger and less costly than aluminum, and almost as light. And, it could hit the car market within a few short years.
AK Steel, an Ohio-based steel company, has been working on materials innovations for years in its labs and their COO Kirk Reich said that they’re even already looking past this innovation, developing alloys that he says will be even better five or ten years down the road.
Costs, it seems, will likely be the biggest near-term benefit of the advanced high-strength steel, since the Trump administration has effectively frozen efficiency guidelines, meaning streamlining fuel economy is perhaps being de-prioritized for automakers.
But what isn’t is metal costs: with tariffs on imported steel and aluminum taking effect recently, domestic producers have been able to raise their prices, leading to big increases for many automakers no matter where they source their primary metals.
Still, Matt DeLorenzo, senior managing director at Kelley Blue Book, told Automotive News that it’s not really an either-or between the competing metals – more of an “and.” That’s because materials like magnesium, carbon fiber and plastic have been inching their way into modern vehicles, and all-metal is really a thing of the past.