Chinese cars are currently 5% to 10% heavier than competing models, and reducing the weight will shave off 6% to 8% of fuel consumption. Wang Li, head of auto sheet research and development at Shanghai-based Baoshan Steel, supplier of half of China’s auto steel requirements, reports the company is working with Chinese carmakers to cut vehicle weight by as much as 10%. Automobile sales in China surged 46% last year, and rising sales add to pollution and fuel consumption. "To cut the car weight and make them more energy-efficient is to make the industry stronger in competition with their European and Japanese rivals. China wants its car models to catch up with global peers in five to 10 years," said Tianshu Xin of consulting company IHS Global Insight. Bloomberg reported that of the top 10 car models in August, three are designed by domestic automakers.
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