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Trend of Automobile Vehicles and the Joining Technologies

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Abstract

In the past two decades, average curb weight of light-duty vehicles has risen by 20 % in Europe, and 25 % in the US due to the legislative requirements for enhanced safety to add reinforcements of vehicle body structure, airbags, and seatbelts for all passengers. The fuel economy was improved only by the engine combustion improvement including hybrid vehicle technologies. The Fuel Cell Technology is not expected to improve the fuel economy and CO2 emission problems for the next 20–30 years. However, the fuel economy and CO2 emission problem are required to be resolved with the current technologies as legislative requirements. Therefore, this article reviews the history and present state of improving fuel economy, prospects of automobiles and oil use for the next 20 years, possible alternative fuels, and the expected welding/joining technologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smart Welding Technologies, USA

    K. Matsuyama

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  1. K. Matsuyama
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Matsuyama, K. Trend of Automobile Vehicles and the Joining Technologies. Weld World 51, 50–60 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03266560

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