Nissan unveils cost-saving process in producing car material

Nissan achieved a cost savings breakthrough in producing molding carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) by shortening the production time from three to four hours to just two minutes with a new casting procedure for the poured resin.

CFRP is used in jets and racing cars because of their lighter weight and strength.

Consequently, the world’s top automakers are boosting CFRP use.

The hurdles have been in cost, which is often about 10 times that of steel, and the long time it takes to mold the parts.

According to Executive Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto, CFRP parts will be used in mass-producing sport-utility vehicles within four or five years.

He added that vehicle weight is crucial in producing ecological models.

Nissan’s efforts are important because much of the cost of a car comes from its production, not raw materials, said

University of Tokyo associate professor Junya Inoue noted that the cost and shaping of CFRP parts, as well as creating a recycling system for them is more challenging than with metals.

He added that while innovation in production remains hidden, Nissan boasts great engineering technology to uncover it.