HIROSHIMA, Japan—Engineers at Mazda Motor Corp. here have developed the world’s first cold-stamped vehicle body parts made from 1,310-megapascal (MPa) high-strength steel. The parts are used in Mazda’s new-generation Skyactiv vehicle architecture, which will underpin upcoming models starting with the all-new Mazda3 sedan.
High-strength steel enables automakers to make parts from thinner sheet metal while retaining the necessary yield strength. This results in a lighter vehicle body, which contributes to improved handling stability and fuel economy. A strong body is also essential to ensure crash safety performance, and the application of higher-strength steel has been widely anticipated.