August 14, 2008 - ...technologies provide for that." Materials matter, too As the industry works on technologies under the hood, producers of each of the industry's three main raw materials -- steel, aluminum and plastic -- are feverishly trying to help automakers reduce vehicle weight, while competing for a bigger share of the overall materials that make up a vehicle. Today's steel, for example, is stronger, more rust resistant and lighter than in the past, and more advances are expected,...