Material Technology: Key to Electromobility Transition

The automotive industry requires more advanced building materials to boost fuel efficiency, while simultaneously providing safe, high-performing and cost-effective vehicles. For the past decades, materials such as steel and metal alloys were the standard, but the rapid increase of technology and the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles, e-mobility and other sustainability trends require the transformation of almost every part of the car.

Incorporating new technologies, such emission control systems and safety devices, are the new industry standard. Lightweight materials allow vehicles to consume less fuel. “Replacing cast iron and traditional steel components with lightweight materials, such as high-strength steel, magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, carbon fiber and polymer composites, can directly reduce the weight of a vehicle's body and chassis by up to 50 percent and therefore reduce a vehicle's fuel consumption,” according to the US Officer of Energy and Renewable Energy (EERE) as reported by MBN.

These trends are driving many companies to invest in the mobility of the future, making R&D part of their core. Technological innovation is not only essential to OEMs; part suppliers are also investing in innovation, said Paolo Benea, CEO, Pirelli México, to MBN. The company, for example, recently opened a new R&D center in Mexico. “The R&D center in Mexico joins Pirelli’s 13 R&D centers around the world. Pirelli’s R&D center will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to produce tires designed for the mobility of the future, which will be electric, sustainable and connected.”

Innovation needs highly qualified talent, added Benea. “It is important to develop and unite local talent, train it and transfer knowledge to create jobs for specialized professionals. Mexican talent can create new technologies… To meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, human capital must be at the center of any growth and transformation strategy”.

Mexico Automotive Summit 2022 ECHO, hosted by Mexico Business on September 28-30, 2022, will feature industry leaders to discuss the latest trends impacting one of the most important sectors for the country’s economy. Do not miss the opportunity to get the insights of the

Mexican automotive industry directly from the leaders who are transforming the sector.

Tickets for the summit are available here. Join the future of B2B conferences now!