Cutting the cost of carbon

Automakers streamline production to reduce the price premium for lightweight carbon fiber.

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was a virtual carbon fiber industry expo, as automakers rolled out numerous concepts heavily featuring carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components.

The appearance of carbon fiber in supercars such as the Lamborghini Aventador or McLaren MP4-12C is no surprise, but automakers are increasingly aiming to exploit the lightweight material's advantages in small fuel-saving models.