Chinese-brand cars are heavy, need to diet, key supplier exec says
China's domestic automakers need to improve efforts to make cars lighter by adopting more plastic components, an executive at a Tier 1 supplier says.
"Most Chinese vehicles weigh more than any other vehicle on a size basis," said Rose Ryntz, vice president of advanced engineering and material development at International Automotive Components Group.
With 75 percent of fuel consumption directly related to vehicle weight, the average weight of cars in China needs to be cut by more than 350 pounds, she said.
Ryntz spoke at the Society of Plastics Engineers' conference last month in Shanghai.
She focused on weight reduction, a priority which Chinese automakers have largely shirked. Much of the added weight of cars comes from electronic and safety components, she said, and hybrid powertrains typically add 9 percent to vehicle weight.
Plastics currently make up only 10 percent of a vehicle's weight, but the goal is to reach 18 to 20 percent by 2025.
"The way we're going to increase it is by increasing the volume of plastics and the only way you can do that is by replacing metal," Ryntz explained.
With 75 percent of fuel consumption directly related to vehicle weight, the average weight of cars in China needs to be cut by more than 350 pounds, she said.
Ryntz spoke at the Society of Plastics Engineers' conference last month in Shanghai.
She focused on weight reduction, a priority which Chinese automakers have largely shirked. Much of the added weight of cars comes from electronic and safety components, she said, and hybrid powertrains typically add 9 percent to vehicle weight.
Plastics currently make up only 10 percent of a vehicle's weight, but the goal is to reach 18 to 20 percent by 2025.
"The way we're going to increase it is by increasing the volume of plastics and the only way you can do that is by replacing metal," Ryntz explained.
