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Plastics Make it Possible April Newsletter: Cars & Transportation

mckaym — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:15:42 +0000

We are pleased to share with you the April edition of the Plastics Make it Possible Newsletter! This month we chose to focus on the innovations in plastic materials that make cars lighter, safer and more stylish.

Plastics Make it Possible April Newsletter: Cars & Transportation

BMW Showcases Innovative Dashboard That Improves Fuel Efficiency

mckaym — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:33:22 +0000

A tailor-made long glass fibre polypropylene (LGF-PP), is behind BMW’s new 20% lighter, single material dashboard for its 7 Series models.

Plastics Make It PossibleSM Teams with Auto Alliance to Highlight Innovation in Cars and Trucks

mckaym — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:51:36 +0000

Plastics Make It Possible^SM, an initiative of the plastic industries of the American Chemistry Council, has teamed with Auto Alliance to showcase how plastics and composite materials help make cars and trucks lighter and more fuel efficient, yielding significant benefits for the environment.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Auto Alliance) launched the Auto Innovation (www.AutoInnovation.com) campaign during the Washington, D.C. Auto Show and continues this campaign to give drivers a behind the scenes look at the work of scientists, engineers and others who work to make today’s vehicles safer, smarter and better.

“The Auto Alliance is the voice on innovation and policy in the automotive world,” said Steve Russell, Vice President of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division. “We’re delighted that the Auto Alliance has teamed with Plastics Make It Possible^SM to highlight the continuous improvements in vehicles made possible through the innovative uses of plastics.”

The Auto Innovation campaign highlights exciting new developments from automakers, as well as diverse suppliers from various industries, universities and federal laboratories. “The safety, environmental and technological advances made by the auto industry not only drive innovation in vehicles but have dozens of other applications in every sector of the marketplace and American lives,” said Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

The campaign singles out exciting innovations in today’s cars and trucks, including many made possible by plastics.

For more information about how plastics are playing a role in auto innovations, please visit the Auto Alliance’s Partner’s Page.

Plastics Drive Hybrid Innovation

mckaym — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:23:13 +0000

How plastics continue to play a major role in advancing hybrid technology and vehicles.

Hyundai’s New Hybrid Relies on the Latest in Eco Plastics

mckaym — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:29:52 +0000

Hyundai’s Blue-Will hits the market with the latest in ecoplastics and recycled materials.

Audi’s Next Generation Electric Car

mckaym — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:14:04 +0000

Thanks in part to carbon fiber technology, Audi takes electric cars to the next level.

Plastic Composites and Boeing Make Flying a Dream

mckaym — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:43:57 +0000

Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft took off on its maiden flight near Everett, Washington on Tuesday while collecting industry accolades for being more environmentally friendly and using less fuel. Though the Dreamliner’s passengers might not realize that the plane is almost entirely constructed of light but incredibly strong plastic, they will notice how much less it will cost them to fly on it.

[Video Feature] CleanMPG Explains That Light Doesn’t Mean Flimsy

mckaym — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:09:50 +0000

When it comes to light vehicle technology, CleanMPG really knows what works. In fact, the folks at CleanMPG made a name for themselves by coining the phrase “hypermiling” to describe a practice they similarly innovated. Wayne Gerdes, founder of CleanMPG, explains that “hypermiling” is the practice of driving a vehicle beyond its EPA fuel economy rating. Plastics Make it Possible caught up with CleanMPG at the LA Auto Show to talk about the many ways plastics make cars lighter and more energy efficient. In the video below, CleanMPG debunks the idea that “lighter” means “flimsy”:

Light is Not Flimsy from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Lauren Fix the Car Coach Talks Plastics Innovation at the LA Auto Show

mckaym — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:46:54 +0000

Lauren Fix was onsite at this year’s autoshow to demonstrate safety, design and fuel efficiency features in the innovative new cars features on the auto show floor. CNN’s Campbell Brown caught up with her to learn more, follow the link to see the live interview.