2026-09-21T11:10:33Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/578692022-01-13T07:54:33Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131024
Randolph E. Kirchain.
Feng, Jennifer C
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
2010-08-31T16:16:43Z
2010-08-31T16:16:43Z
2009
2009
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/57869
618716234
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2009.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-33).
The following study examines how the costs and benefits of improving fuel economy of vehicles via lightweighting with aluminum closures change with gas price. A process-based cost model is used to evaluate the costs of lightweighting with aluminum for six representative vehicles, and an industry choice-based conjoint decision analysis market model is used to evaluate the benefits of lightweighting given a 0.5mpg increase in fuel economy. Vehicles were examined by class size. Compact car owners were observed to be willing to pay for improved fuel economy but consumer preferences indicate insufficient willingness to pay to cover the costs of lightweighting with aluminum for a representative compact car, the Toyota Corolla. However, no conclusion can be made as to whether larger car owners are or are not willing to pay for improved fuel economy.
by Jennifer C. Feng.
S.B.
47 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by
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http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Materials Science and Engineering.
The influence of fuel price on an automaker's decision to lightweight cars via materials substitution
Thesis
application/pdf
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Publication
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<Abstract>The following study examines how the costs and benefits of improving fuel economy of vehicles via lightweighting with aluminum closures change with gas price. A process-based cost model is used to evaluate the costs of lightweighting with aluminum for six representative vehicles, and an industry choice-based conjoint decision analysis market model is used to evaluate the benefits of lightweighting given a 0.5mpg increase in fuel economy. Vehicles were examined by class size. Compact car owners were observed to be willing to pay for improved fuel economy but consumer preferences indicate insufficient willingness to pay to cover the costs of lightweighting with aluminum for a representative compact car, the Toyota Corolla. However, no conclusion can be made as to whether larger car owners are or are not willing to pay for improved fuel economy.</Abstract>
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