Steel will remain an important material for car makers - AISI

American Iron and Steel Institute President Thomas J. Gibson commented on the future of the industry: “We believe steel will remain a critical component for automakers. We are in favor of one national environmental standards program because we believe it is best for the automakers, the automotive supply chain, including the steel industry, in addition to consumers and the economy as a whole. ”

According to Gibson, AISI believes that an overly stringent standard that optimizes greenhouse gas emissions and increases fuel economy by eliminating other necessary and important design factors will lead to “negative outcomes,” highlighting increased consumer costs, safety design concerns, and negative impacts on work ".

In the automotive industry, there is a violent battle between aluminum and the steel industry that is best suited for cars of the future, given the introduction of the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards that were first introduced by the United States Congress in 1975. It was recently said that within 15 years, the average North American light vehicle can have a nearly even split between steel, aluminum and carbon fiber.

“Since 1970, the steel industry has developed over 200 innovative new steel grades, many specifically to achieve new car models that meet regulatory requirements,” Gibson said, adding that material selection is important to help automakers, from driver experience to passenger safety and overall durability. “This choice must be balanced to satisfy the consumer at an affordable cost while protecting the environment,” added Gibson.