Johnson Controls is to develop a lightweight automotive design concept to reduce vehicle weight and aid fuel economy.
Known as CAMISMA – carbon fibre amid metallic structural interior component using a multi-material approach – the project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The project funds research that seeks to replace steel and light alloys with fibre-reinforced composites, including carbon fibre in automotive designs. Partner
organisations include Evonik Industries, Jacob Plastics, Toho Tenax Europe and the Technical University Aachen. The CAMISMA project has an initial time-line of three years.
“As a result of climate change and the declining reservoir of fossil fuels, a key challenge for the automotive industry is to develop fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles,” said Johnson Controls automotive experience VP technology management Andreas Eppinger.
“Vehicle weight is a key factor in determining fuel consumption, so it is important for projects like CAMISMA to help accomplish this goal.”
The CAMISMA project focuses on using multi-material systems in lightweight designs. Traditionally, using thinner sheets of steel reduced component weight.

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By GlobalDataThis technology cannot be further developed so the need for new materials and design is more important. The CAMISMA project focuses on the use of fibre-reinforced composites (FRC), particularly those based on carbon fibre to replace steel.