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The Economics of Automotive Weight Reduction
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English
Abstract
By reducing the weight of an automobile, monetary savings accrue to both the automakers and the American consumer. The consumer receives a benefit in reduced initial purchase price, reduced freight charges, increased gas mileage, and reduced tire wear. Assuming that a car will last for six years and will travel 18,000 miles per year, it can be conservatively calculated that a reduction of 1 lb in the weight of the vehicle will save the consumer $0.76 over the lifetime of the car. By including inflationary effects, it can be calculated that the consumer would save $0.79 over the lifetime of the car, or $0.13 each year.
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Citation
Marshall, K., "The Economics of Automotive Weight Reduction," SAE Technical Paper 700174, 1970, https://doi.org/10.4271/700174.Also In
References
- Artinian L. Terry S. L. “The Total Cost of Weight.” Paper 325D SAE Automobile Week Detroit March 1961
- “Weight Saving Worth Nine Cents Per Lb. in Sweden.” Light Metal Age June 1965 22 23
- Cornell J. J. “Passenger Car Fuel Economy Characteristics on Modern Superhighways.” SAE Transactions 74 1966 650862
- Scheffler C. E. Niepoth G. “Customer Fuel Economy Estimated from Engineering Tests.” SAE Transactions 74 1966 paper 650861