Application of economic evaluation techniques to automotive lightweighting materials research and development projects

This paper presents the results of a program evaluation, using two economic analysis techniques (benefit-cost ratios and person-years/cost savings), conducted on nine research and development projects funded in four lightweight materials areas by the Phase II Automotive Lightweighting Materials effort of the US Department of Energy (DOE). The results suggest that a collaborative effort between DOE and the private-sector automotive industry has potential for introduction and market penetration of lightweight vehicles. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.