Design changes could cut front body structure parts by 34%
A new study has found that small production changes could reduce the number of parts used in the front body structure by 34%.
The research, commissioned by WorldAutoSteel, found that modest assembly line changes and greater use of advanced high-strength steel could result in significant and scalable parts consolation without compromising safety, performance or manufacturability.
Using the Steel E-Motive vehicle concept as the base, the study found that front body parts could be reduced from 38 to 25.
It said this could also result in an eight per cent reduction in vehicle weight and a 10% reduction in manufacturing costs.
Next-generation mobility
Ingo Olschewski, director of WorldAutoSteel, the automotive group of the World Steel Association, which comprises the world’s largest automotive steel producers, said: “It is clear that steel delivers the most sustainable, safe and scalable path for next‑generation mobility.
“Technically challenging studies such as this demonstrate the potential of advanced high-strength steels to address the automotive sector’s most pressing concerns. Steel, the most trusted structural material, provides an answer in addressing challenges around parts consolidation and assembly line efficiencies.
“The study demonstrates ever greater potential for it to enable high‑performance engineering solutions for future mobility.”
