just-auto Adds Automotive Material Trends Intelligence Service

BROMSGROVE, England, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

just-auto's QUBE research platform is now adding a service dedicated to analysing key trends in the use of materials in the auto industry.

As the automotive industry comes under increasing pressure to change the way it designs and builds vehicles, the materials used in vehicle production are at the centre of efforts to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency.

The new QUBE service will analyse automotive material trends being driven by the need for vehicles to incorporate components aimed at mass reduction, parts consolidation to reduce assembly costs and, increasingly, more efficient recycling at the vehicle's end-of-life.

just-auto/QUBE editor Dave Leggett highlights the rising strategic importance of the materials sector. "The vehicle makers' need to improve overall fuel economy in vehicles has led to the trend toward minimising vehicle weight. The use of performance materials such as high-strength steel and aluminium is on the rise and heavier traditional materials, such as steel and iron, are being replaced whenever possible. There are also new materials and composites being developed for some applications. And now recycling is also coming into the equation. It is a fast-moving area, subject to both growing competitive and regulatory pressures."

The new materials service includes market size forecasts out to 2026 and a full analysis of all the companies involved. The service reviews and forecasts the main materials used in vehicle manufacture including steel, aluminium, plastics, iron and glass. In addition, it reviews the use of other materials such as organic, carbon fibre and magnesium.

Follow the latest developments on just-auto's QUBE research platform.

Aboutjust-auto.com

Established in 1999, just-auto is a leading online resource for the global automotive industry, publishing around 50 news articles, analysis features and insights every working day. Under the direction of Managing Editor David Leggett, its experienced team of journalists, consultants and analysts provide a unique blend of automotive news, interviews and research that is delivered to over 90,000 business executives per month.

Via its website, webinars and QUBE, CONSULT and PLDB research platforms, just-auto offers insight into OEM and supplier corporate strategies, manufacturing developments, in-depth management briefings, supplier technologies and innovations, component market trends and forecasts and current/future car model programmes.

For details of how just-auto is "helping decision makers make decisions" visit http://www.just-auto.com.

For further information and images please contact Kate Varvedo, Marketing communication manager at Aroq Limited on +44(0)1527-573-616, alternatively email kate.varvedo@aroq.com