Ford Motor Company (F) Thursday announced that it would be joining hands with Dow Automotive Systems, a business unit of the Dow Chemical Company, to achieve its stated objective of cutting the weight of new cars and trucks by up to 750 pounds by the end of the decade to improve fuel efficiency.
The two companies have signed a joint development agreement that will see researchers collaborate on several fronts. The development teams will focus on establishing an economical source of automotive-grade carbon fiber and develop component manufacturing methods for high-volume automotive applications.
Ford further stated that the partnership will seek to combine the best of Ford's capabilities and experience in design, engineering and high-volume vehicle production with Dow Automotive's strengths in R&D, materials science and high-volume polymer processing.
Ford stated that it is investigating a range of new materials, enhanced design processes and new manufacturing techniques that would enable automotive structures to meet increasingly stringent safety and quality standards while cutting weight.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com