ANN ARBOR, MI – The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) recently formed a new automotive industry group called the Coalition of Automotive Lightweighting Materials (CALM). The group said its missions is to organize member efforts to find ways to reduce vehicle weight at the manufacturing level.

CALM stated its purpose is to support the “cost-effective integration of mixed materials to achieve significant reductions in weight through the collaborative efforts of technology providers with the auto manufacturers.”

CALM said it will focus on bringing together the strengths and knowledge of the metals industry, the plastics industry, and technology providers in design, fabrication, and materials joining in order to find ways to reduce vehicle mass.

“The aluminum and plastics/composites industries are developing advanced materials to help automakers design lighter and safer cars. Leading technology companies are also developing weight-saving solutions that include these materials along with steel for new applications,” said Dr. Jay Baron, CAR’s president, and the director of CALM. “By working together we can accelerate the application of these progressive materials and solutions.”

The organization said it’s supported by The Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Transportation Group and the American Chemistry Council. More than 200 companies, combined, make up these two groups. One representative from each group will serve on CALM’s steering committee along with CAR’s Dr.

For more information about CALM, those interested can contact the Center for Automotive Research at (734) 662-1287 or visit www.cargroup.org/CALM.