BMW limits carbon fiber use to protect profits

Carbon fiber is used in the passenger frame for the BMW i3 electric car, pictured, and BMW i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. (BLOOMBERG)

By:

Edward Taylor and Alexandria Sage

October 28, 2016 05:00 AM

LANDSHUT, Germany -- BMW Group is limiting its use of costly carbon fiber and turning to cheaper lightweight materials such as aluminum and steel for its biggest-selling cars to keep profit margins high.

Featured Stories

GM promotes Duncan Aldred to president of North America

The automaker said Aldred’s appointment is effective immediately. He will report to Rory Harvey, GM’s president of global markets.

By:

Lindsay VanHulle

GM promotes Duncan Aldred to president of North America

Manufacturing

In the shadow of China’s military, Taiwan’s globally critical suppliers keep working

After years of stalling out, autonomous driving appears to be on the comeback trail

Parts tariffs are now in effect. Here’s how they work

Manufacturing

By:

John Irwin

Parts tariffs are now in effect. Here’s how they work

Latest News

Online car-buying bump in the road? Credit applications

Rivian ups its Illinois investment with $120 million supplier park

GM promotes Duncan Aldred to president of North America

3 ways F&I managers can streamline the auto financing experience

Staying current is easy with newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.

See More in Newsletters

Guest commentary: For Akio Toyoda’s sake, he must listen to Toyota’s dissatisfied shareholders and reform strategy

Top 5 stories of the week: Women in auto; Birchwood’s latest buy; GM improves profit; more

Staying current is easy with newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.