Steel has been, is now, and will continue to be the predominant material for vehicle structures and body parts, such as doors, hoods, liftgates and fenders. But, other materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, plastics and composites, are becoming increasingly important.
According to the Center for Automotive Research, various steel alloys accounted for some 65 percent of the weight of an average vehicle structure in 2020. Aluminum alloys represented 13 percent, while plastics and composites made up 6 percent. By 2040, however, steel alloys will account for only 46 percent of that weight, while aluminum alloys will comprise 26 percent and plastics and composites will represent 15 percent.