New lightweight innovation in the automotive industry of Steinheim, August 2011; Decades was unchallenged as the lightweight Division poorly and Luft – und Raumfahrt. A look at the automotive industry but shows that there are solutions in series or just before the series which provides the leading role of the aerospace industry in question on innovation and lightweight efficiency. The lightweight has its price but a look at current developments and their impact on the cost structure and cost which cars light weight materials shows an analysis of the automotive market and vehicle development of in recent years clearly defined trends with regard to the light-weight materials. In addition to aluminium, magnesium and the composite materials among which also the Kohlefaserverstarkten plastics (CFRP), today also a part of the steel solutions must be counted to the Group of lightweight material. The steels are in particular the boron steels. A comparison of materials from lightweight point of view shows the positioning of the material concepts (see box 1: Lightweight materials in comparison).

Not surprisingly at least for the lightweight specialists, CFRP materials by far offer the best potential for lightweight construction. Rather surprisingly are ultra high strength steels even better than aluminum, but offer a limited field of application. In recent years, in particular steel, aluminum have in terms of the structural parts of vehicles and some magnesium fought to the best contribution for lightweight construction. Here were the material manufacturers with large concept studies (E.g. the InCar study by Thyssen) very active and could initialize so many new applications. In recent times but the composite materials based on fibre-reinforced plastics of talk and be big changes in the structural lightweight construction in automotive safety cause. With the decision of BMW AG the so-called mega city vehicle (market name i3 “) to develop, with a black body of CKF components an industrial evolution in the manufacture of CFRP must performed subsequently now components.

Toyota refutes the quip of the former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Bonn / Langenhagen that has recent study by J. D. power jdpower.com it back in the day brought: Germans are particularly satisfied with Japanese cars. In the customer satisfaction survey 2008 of the American market the brand was ranked first, followed by BMW and Toyota Honda. Especially over the years consistently good values for Toyota not surprise automotive experts. The customer satisfaction is directly attributable to the Toyota management”, says Uwe Rohrig, owner of automotive consulting international car concept (ICC) in Hanover-Langenhagen and Berlin. Since its inception have Toyota built a clear vision on the company and implemented, which will each revised and adapted according to the defined periods. Western manufacturers, one has the impression that the local management behaves according to the motto of the former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, however, sometimes: who has visions, should go to the doctor ‘.

Anders are Project developments, which go on the market and the customers passing by, not declared”, including the head of sales for Mercedes-Benz and Maybach in his more than 40-year automotive career was so rad. Toyota put its three clientele in the absolute focus of his actions. Interestingly the internal customers and suppliers would according to the necessary needs of the buying customer aligned and treated and paid: the result is first and foremost an extremely high customer satisfaction and loyalty at all three levels. Even if in the context of product development, the design is lagging behind, is. the manufacturing quality, especially in the probation of the cars, the measure of all things” The visionary approach gives the Toyota managers according to Rohrig right, because otherwise exist for example until today no alternative propulsion system like the hybrid. Moreover, the automotive world will have to, be still surprised what coming in the next few years on alternatives to the current conventional internal combustion engines of this group the ICC Chief is convinced that”. “Crucial was that Toyota all uncompromising is aligned to the customers and their needs: nobody wants to by the Board and has ever built for its own sake a monument himself, unless transparent for the customer and for the company to the benefit of and for all.” But not only the Germans have recognized the advantages of the Japanese manufacturer. In England and France, the Prius drivers are satisfied motorists of all brands, so the current satisfaction surveys by J.D.

power and Associates, which were published in May and June in these countries. In Germany the Toyota Aygo and the corolla were especially satisfied Verso in addition to the Prius drivers. Both vehicles occupy the first place in terms of satisfaction in their respective segment. Also the Yaris drivers (2nd place, small car) and the Avensis driver (3rd place, middle) gave their vehicles very good grades.