Nissan Will Cut Vehicle Weight 15% by ’15

Nissan Motor Co. has a plan to improve fuel consumption.

The car maker hopes to decrease the weight of its vehicles 15% by 2015. The result will be a 10% increase in fuel economy.

Toyota wants its cars to go on a diet as well, but to only lose 10%.

Nissan will leverage its ties with materials and autoparts manufacturers. Nissan wants makers to experiment with:

1. carbon fiber compounds,

2. fiberglass-reinforced plastic,

3. magnesium alloys,

4. ultrahigh-tensile steel sheet

Magnesium alloys can reduce the weight of a steering mechanism by 45%.

The formula – 100kg (220lb) reduction of a 1-1.5 ton car improves mileage by 1km per liter.

In America…we need to put drivers on a diet. 

What do you think of Nissan's plan? 

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