VW Joins Lightweighting Research Incubator LIFT

The Detroit-based Manufacturing USA picks up its first major automotive sponsor, the Volkswagen Group of America, to assist in the institute’s research and development of lightweight materials for future vehicles.

The institute and its not-for-profit, public-private technology incubator, LIFT – Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow – study lightweighting solutions for everything from aerospace to military applications.

But a majority of LIFT’s focus is on projects aimed at cutting pounds from automobiles through pilot-scale testing of innovative methods for joining materials, making thin-wall castings, welding dissimilar metals and extruding aluminum.

The work at LIFT is key to helping the German automaker meet its ambitious plan to introduce 50 battery-electric vehicles and 30 plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles across its 12 global brands between 2019 and 2025. As part of the effort, the automaker is laser-focused on taking weight out of its vehicles.

“Lightweighting is critical for the future of our vehicles, not only to improve on fuel economy, but also to help improve vehicle performance,” says Hagen Seifert, head of materials at VW Group’s Audi brand. “The innovative research being done and the network of industry and academic experts available at LIFT were keys drivers in our decision to join.”

Specifically, the VW Group is interested in researching how internal components can be made lighter while improving performance and power for the vehicle while reducing manufacturing costs.

“Bringing an automotive OEM into membership alongside our present auto supplier and industry OEM members creates an enhanced robust ecosystem, allowing participants from across industries to work together and learn from each other,” says Lawrence Brown, executive director-LIFT.

[email protected] @bobgritzinger