Driven to action

The automotive industry could be forgiven for feeling squeezed between the irresistible force and the immovable object — its customers on one hand and on the other a growing army of regulators dictating how its vehicles are built.

The former are demanding vehicles that are more stylish, more reliable and safer, yet want to pay less for the privilege. The latter, whether national governments or the EU, are also insisting on improved safety, not just for drivers but for pedestrians too, and introducing a raft of legislation connected with the environmental impact of cars.

Materials technology has emerged as a key factor in helping the industry meet its various challenges.

The overarching trend in automotive materials development is sometimes boiled down to a race between metals and plastics. This is far too crude a generalisation, but contains a grain of truth.

Steel, the most venerable of automotive materials, has been forced to raise its game over the past decade after it became clear that in several key application areas it was no longer the only option.