The Next Generation Vehicle Project gave a
press conference in Frankfurt on September 12.
For the first time, three years of joint research was presented to the public. It was a successful launch. Before an audience consisting of researchers
and journalists, the project´s results and their implications were introduced to general acclaim. The main speaker, Project Director Roland Gustafsson, presented how the vision for tomorrow´s cars could soon be reality.

He was accompanied by three equally important speakers, representing the project´s stainless steel
partners: Alfred Otto (ThyssenKrupp), Jean-Yves Gilet (ArcelorMittal Stainless), and Juha Rantanen (Outokumpu).

The Next Generation Vehicle Project revolves around a crucial issue: weight. By using stainless steel, cars can be made much lighter. And this can be done without compromising safety, or any other significant feature of a modern car. As the project now enters Phase III, tomorrow´s cars are about to see the lightof day. Research will continue, in close co-operation with the steel and car industries. The press conference itself was filmed, and is available for viewing on this website.

Click here to view press conference


Project Introduction

Environmental threats are a reality we all must face. Now. We need to do everything we can to
turn the situation around. Cars, trucks, and buses produce enormous amounts of emissions, causing severe and obvious climate alterations. The car industry is very aware of its responsibility, and is now mobilizing its research and development in order to find sustainable solutions.

Next Generation Vehicle is a research project with the objectives of improving sustainability in car manufacturing. The starting point is a simple one: weight. Most of a car´s weight derives from steel. This means that research into the production of lighter steel components might be a planet saver. Radical weight reduction means radical emission reduction.