Fun Facts from Classic Toyota: All About Metal and Fabrication in Automotive Industry

Nov 11, 2021

It’s National Metal Day, and we’re highlighting the use of metal and fabrication in the automotive industry on today’s blog. Check out some of these fun facts to learn more about how metals are used in vehicle manufacturing, and how the industry has changed and evolved over the years.

Did You Know: Facts About Metal and Manufacturing

There were over 8 million vehicles manufactured in the US in 2020, and over 77 million total manufactured worldwide.
In 1942, US manufacturing of automobiles came to a screeching halt so that metals and other materials could be diverted to military purposes and war efforts.
- On January 1st 1942, the US halted all sales and delivery of cars via the government’s Office of Production Management.
- All production stopped in February 1942 through October 1945.
- There were 520,000 vehicles available for the duration of the war and rationed for use by “essential drivers.”
- The automotive industry diverted its manufacturing and metal materials to create tanks, trucks, jeeps, airplanes, steel helmets, ammunition, bombs, and other goods for military use to aid war efforts.
Commonly Used Metals in the Automotive industry include:
- Aluminum
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Steel
- Titanium
- Copper
- Lead
Metals such as Nickel, Aluminum, and Iron are expected to increase over 10x the current usage between 2019 and 2030.
Metals like Lithium and Graphite are expected to increase in demand since they are used to make electric car batteries.
Use of metals such as Nickel, Aluminum, and Iron are expected to increase over 10x the current usage between 2019 and 2030.
The average passenger vehicle is 65% steel and iron, with 25% of the steel being made from recycled/reclaimed metal.
Advanced High Strength Steel accounts for about 60% of the average vehicle.
Aluminum is the second most used metal in the automotive industry, and the fastest growing market for metal. In 1975, around 80-84 pounds of aluminum were used to make a vehicle, but that figure rose to over 460 pounds in 2020, with a projection of over 550 pounds being used by 2028!
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles are expected to account for an increase in use of lightweight metals and materials to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Automotive recycling accounts for 14 million tons of recycled steel, or the equivalent of more than 13 million cars.
The market for automotive metals is projected to grow to $226 Billion by end of 2026.