Textron Trend Report
31 August 2000
Textron Trend Report
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Aug. 30, 2000--The Textron Trend Report provides information on trends that affect businesses where Textron operates. With four major business segments, more than 40 companies and 250 locations around the world, Textron creates competitive advantage by anticipating, recognizing and executing early on trends.The drive to plastic fuel tanks
In the drive to reduce fuel consumption, global auto makers face two challenges: fitting components and modules into the available space and reducing the vehicle's overall weight. One innovation from automotive component suppliers that has quietly helped auto makers solve both of these challenges is plastic fuel tanks. These tanks provide a lighter, more malleable alternative to steel tanks, are just as safe and even help reduce pollution. Many new cars now have plastic tanks and the speed of conversion is increasing rapidly.
Plastic fuel tanks have already replaced steel tanks in about 50% of cars manufactured in North America. That number is expected to reach 75% by 2003. Europeans made the switch earlier and faster -- 90% of cars there have plastic tanks. In Asia and South America, however, the market remains largely untapped: penetration in the Asian market stands at only 15% and is expected to grow to about 25% by 2003; in South America, penetration is expected to grow to about 50% by 2003 from its current 35% level.
What's driving the switch to plastic? Plastic fuel tanks are just as safe as steel - performing extremely well in vehicle impact tests and burn resistance tests -- and provide many more benefits. Plastic is lighter than steel, doesn't corrode, can help reduce pollution and is much more malleable. This last point has become one of plastic tanks biggest selling points.
"Auto makers are faced with trying to fit more technology, gadgets, creature comforts and, of course, the parts that make a car run, into less and less space as consumers demand more interior and storage space," said Andy Puempel, vice president, research and product development at Kautex Textron, one of the world's leading manufacturers of plastic fuel tanks. "More pliable than steel, plastic fuel tanks can be easily molded to accommodate tight fitting areas, and with the blow-molding technology available today, those tanks can be made into almost any shape or form."