Ford will ramp up the use of carbon fiber in its vehicles as a light-weighting strategy, following an agreement with supplier DowAksa to lead to high-volume automotive use of the material that's most been used in exotic, luxury vehicles.
by Staff
April 17, 2015
Photo of the 2016 GT at the Chicago Auto Show courtesy of Ford.
1 min to read
Photo of the 2016 GT at the Chicago Auto Show courtesy of Ford.
Ford will ramp up the use of carbon fiber in its vehicles as a light-weighting strategy, following an agreement with supplier DowAksa to lead to high-volume automotive use of the material that's most been used in exotic, luxury vehicles.
The use of carbon fiber will allow Ford to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing strength, Ford announced. The 50-50 joint venture should lead to a more affordable application of carbon fiber in cars and trucks. The agreement may lead to a commercial manufacturing partnership.
Ad Loading...
"Automotive manufacturers' use of carbon fiber composites has been hindered by the absence of both high-volume manufacturing methods and affordable material formats," said Mehmet Ali Berkman, DowAska's vice chairman. "This partnership combines the individual strengths of each company to target these challenges."
Ford has said it plans extensive carbon fiber for its 2016 GT mid-engine supercar.
So far, BMW has taken the lead in incorporating carbon fiber into vehicle bodies with extensive use in the i3 and i8 electric and hybrid cars. BMW has said it plans to produce 9,000 tons of carbon fiber at a dedicated Washington state plant.
BBL Fleet expanded its footprint in the fleet management industry with the acquisition of Velcor Leasing Corporation of Madison through a stock purchase agreement finalized Feb. 27, 2026.
Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
