Toyota may integrate carbon fiber after Lexus LFA shut-down

Toyota could integrate carbon-fiber components into some of its future models after shutting down production of its Lexus LFA supercar last month, Automotive News reports.

Carbon fiber is both stronger and lighter than traditional vehicle-body materials. It makes sense for Toyota to take advantage of the carbon-fiber production facility, especially now that the company's become an expert of sorts in how the material can be used in cars. Still, using carbon fiber remains cost-prohibitive because it remains in limited production and molding process is labor intensive.

Toyota produced its 500th and final $375,000 Lexus LFA in December, about two years after opening its carbon fiber factory. Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini are among other automakers that use carbon fiber. In 2011, BMW partnered with SGL Group to open a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plant in Washington State.