- 11 April 2008 -
Environment tops list of car makers' challenges

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES top the list of challenges facing the automotive industry, according to the 14th annual DuPont Automotive/SAE Survey of automotive designers and engineers. Advanced composites were cited as the materials which grow the most over the next 10 years.

“While 32% say cost reduction is the industry’s top challenge, that’s flat year over year,” says Chris Murphy, automotive director – Americas, for DuPont Automotive Performance Materials. “What’s really new this year is the emphasis on the environment. We not only see significant increases in the number of respondents who say environmental challenges are paramount, we see environmental challenges driving fuel, powertrain and vehicle design and development and as a differentiator in the consumer marketplace.

The 2008 survey findings include:

• Fuel efficient/environmentally friendly vehicles are very important to consumers, say 54% of respondents. 41% say enhanced safety and 37% say improved comfort and convenience are very important to consumers.

• Poised to grow the most over the next 10 years are advanced composites, say 62% of respondents; bio-based, renewable materials will grow the most, say 26%; the same number predict aluminium will grow the most.

• Cost reduction is still one of the top material selection criteria say 91%, but weight reduction jumps to the top of the criteria list for 82%.

• 50% of respondents see diesel engine technology as a key focus to help achieve 2020 efficiency regulations, while 46% say hybrid-electric powertrains and 42% say extensive use of lightweight materials.

• Alternatively powered vehicles are predicted to have the greatest impact on the industry: 60% selected alternatively powered vehicles in 2008, while 15% selected safety features and 16% selected electrical/electronic advances.

 

The annual DuPont Automotive/SAE survey of OEM and supplier designers and engineers planning to attend the 2008 SAE World Congress was conducted by Consumer Insights, Inc. A white paper titled 'Environment Leads SAE Survey Results' is available at automotive.dupont.com.

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