Motivated by a doubling in government fuel efficiency requirements in the next decade, automotive manufacturers are converting parts to such lighter weight materials as advanced high-strength steels and aluminum at a rapid pace. This begs the question of what auto-related toll processors need to do to get ready for this influx of new materials. Domestic automakers are facing a monumental task to raise the average fuel efficiency of their vehicles to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 from about 29 mpg today. To meet that new government standard calls for a 4-5 percent improvement each year, says Ronald Krupitzer, vice president of automotive applications for the American Iron and Steel Institute's Steel Market Development Institute in Washington.
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