Mass reduction-the next frontier

Automakers turn their attention to reducing vehicle weight in the quest for greater fuel efficiency.

The battle for increased vehicle fuel efficiency may be about to shift from the powertrain arena to a more challenging venue, as engineers begin to focus more intensely on reducing vehicle mass.

Weight reduction has been an elusive goal since almost the dawn of the automobile industry. Clever design and the pioneering use of vanadium steel alloys made Henry Ford's iconic 1909 Model T the lightest yet most robust vehicle in its class. But like most of today's vehicles, the Tin Lizzie steadily grew heavier as it added features (modest as they were) through the years.