Autoblog

Tata Motors has disclosed that it is working with General Electric's plastics division to develop solutions for its forthcoming ultra-low cost small car.

Widely referred to in India as the "Rs 1-lakh" (100,000 rupees) car, the Tata project could be a breakthrough product for the company, with potential domestic sales of 1 million units per year. The four-door, rear-engine car will sell for only $2,200 - less than half the price of current entry level cars in the Indian market.

Tata chairman Ratan Tata has stated that the small car will make extensive use of plastics for the body, replacing welding with adhesives to decrease assembly costs. In an effort to cut down on distribution costs, the company is considering shipping modular car kits to small, local business units combining assembly, sales and service under one roof.

GE plastics are already in widespread use by automakers, primarily with a view to reducing weight (thereby increasing fuel efficiency). The Smart ForTwo makes extensive use of plastic body components, and BMW's 6-Series uses GE plastic front fenders.

[Sources: Reuters, Hindu Business Online, GE PLastics]

Mazda Motor Corp. and an industrial consortium are partnering with the Japanese government and the academic community to develop a new bioplastic made through a fermentation process using natural materials such as fermented starches and sugars derived from corn.

Not only is the new bioplastic carbon-neutral (with only 12 percent petroleum content and reduced energy requirements for manufacture) but it is stronger and more heat-resistant than other bioplastics, making it a viable candidate for a wider range of automotive applications.

The prototype bioplastic is made of 88 percent corn and 12 percent petroleum, and requires 30 percent less energy to produce than conventional petroleum-based polypropylene plastics. Its higher rigidity may make it a superior material to polypropylene plastics for mass production of injection molded parts, like the complex shape shown at right.

According to Mazda, the Hiroshima-based research effort has greatly benefited from the region's fermentation expertise, based on its rich tradition of sake brewing...

[Source: Mazda] Thanks for the tip, amp!