OEMs need to ‘design for repair’ when lightweighting

OEMs are striving for greater reductions in weight as corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations continue to apply pressure. Suppliers are caught in the conflict between the development of new solutions for more efficient vehicles and the demand for low-cost lightweighting solutions.

One of the concerns for switching to new materials is reparability. Dealership bodyshops need to make capital investments for new equipment, the training of staff to familiarise themselves with new tooling and machinery, as well as the sourcing of new parts and materials.