BMW to use carbon fiber across its lineup

BMW announced last week that its Megacity Vehicle will launch in markets in 2013. The Megacity Vehicle will be a zero-emission urban vehicle and will use extensive amounts of carbon fiber to reduce weight. The German automaker also plans to use carbon fiber across its lineup.

“We will be the first manufacturer to take carbon fiber to effectively high volume,” global sales head Ian Robertson said.

He said that carbon fiber technology shows the promise for use outside the new Megacity and could help generate better economies of scale.

BMW and SGL Group plan on building a $100 million carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Washington state to supply parts for its vehicles. The plant will produce carbon fiber and a plant in Germany will mold it into paneling for the Megacity vehicle.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)