Nippon Steel Corporation and Mazda Motor Corporation have applied the results of their co-creation partnership to develop an optimized body structure for the all-new Mazda CX-5, unveiled in July. The collaboration redefines the traditional automaker-supplier relationship by integrating materials expertise early in the design phase.
Leveraging Nippon Steel’s NSafe-AutoConcept ECO3 and Mazda’s model-based development, the new CX-5 achieves a 10pct reduction in steel weight compared with the previous model, while maintaining body strength and performance.
The partners also streamlined the supply chain by sourcing steel from a Nippon Steel plant near Mazda’s assembly facility, cutting transportation costs, CO2 emissions, and geopolitical risks. Both companies plan to extend the collaboration to future vehicle models to build a more resilient and efficient value chain.
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