Here is the professional English translation of the automotive engineering plastics report.

Key Automotive Engineering Plastic Applications & Technological Breakthroughs

01 Body & Structural Components: Lightweight & High-Strength Solutions

Ultra-High-Strength Steel (UHSS): Widely used in NEVs (e.g., Xiaomi SU7 utilizes 2200 MPa hot-formed steel, offering a 40% increase in tensile strength compared to traditional 1500 MPa steel and a 52.4% improvement in door anti-intrusion beam load capacity). The domestically developed "Roller Quenching" process (jointly researched by Northeastern University and Yucaitang) enables weight reduction while ensuring safety.

Aluminum Alloy: Proven by cases like the Audi A8's all-aluminum body, aluminum alloys significantly reduce vehicle weight and improve energy efficiency. Their thermal conductivity, fatigue resistance, and recyclability enhance component reliability.

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP): High specific strength/stiffness and corrosion resistance make it ideal for critical components (body/chassis/powertrain) in premium vehicles. Cost currently limits wider adoption, but technological advancements will unlock greater potential.

Magnesium Alloy: The lightest engineering metal (offering substantial weight savings), suitable for engine parts/frames. Overcoming high-temperature and corrosion limitations is key to broader application.

02 Exterior Components: Functional & Weather-Resistant Integration

Lighting Systems:

Polycarbonate (PC): Widely used for lenses and charging ports due to high light transmittance (90% @ 2mm thickness), impact resistance (e.g., Audi A3 grille), and lightweighting.

Heat-Resistant PBT/PPS (withstands 120°C+): Used for housings, brackets, and reflectors.

PBT + >70% Glass Fiber: Excellent mechanical properties; used for fog lamp housings.

PPS: Preferred for high-strength, heat-resistant parts.

Body Panels:

Long Glass Fiber Polypropylene (LGFPP): Glass fibers 10-25mm long enable 20%-50% weight reduction vs. metal, with mold costs only 20% of metal's and production energy consumption at 60%-80% of steel parts. Applied to instrument panel carriers, battery trays, etc.

Innovative Coatings: Chery's 0.3mm coating technology enhances vehicle performance, securing orders exceeding 1 million units.

03 Powertrain & Chassis Systems: Materials for Extreme Conditions

Engine Components:

Intake Manifolds: 30%-35% Glass Fiber Reinforced PA6/PA66 replaces aluminum, achieving 40% weight reduction, 20%-30% cost reduction, and smoother internal walls for improved airflow.

Oil Pans: PA66+GF35 / PA6+GF35 injection molded parts offer 30%-40% weight savings vs. aluminum.

Underbody Protection:

Brands like SAIC Roewe, Audi, IM Motors, and Hongqi utilize Huachang's MERICAN 3317 A/B Epoxy Composite, formed via High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding (HP-RTM):

>30% Weight Reduction

IP67 Waterproof & Seepage Resistance

Impact Resistance (Run-Over) + Stone Chipping Resistance

04 Interior Systems: Eco-Friendly & Healthy Upgrades

Seats & Trim Panels: By 2024, 45% of NEV brands (a 30% increase vs. 2020) will use recycled/bio-based materials. Plant-fiber seats and recycled plastic door panels (reducing harmful gases by 30%-40%) enhance occupant well-being.

Instrument Panels & Functional Parts:

Borouge Fibremod™ WE380HPC: Solves warpage issues in glass fiber reinforced parts, improving surface quality.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE): Preferred by Mercedes-Benz & Geely for closed-loop sustainability:

Raw materials comply with REACH/ROHS.

Bio-based TPE (castor oil-derived) reduces carbon footprint by 60%.

BMW i3 carpets achieve 100% recycled content & recyclability.

05 Sustainable Material Innovations

Recycled Plastic Technology: SK Chemicals' SkyPET CR enables "closed-loop recycling" via chemical depolymerization. BMW's 2025 NEUE KLASSE models will use recycled material containing 30% ocean plastic waste, reducing carbon footprint by 25%.

Bio-Based Materials:

Hemp Fiber: Used in BMW i3 door panels & Ford Focus interiors, offering lightweighting and strength.

Mycelium Leather: Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX features Mylo™ mycelium-based seats.

BASF Recycled Plastics: Mercedes EQE/S-Class bow-shaped door handles incorporate pyrolysis oil from used tires & agricultural waste.

06 Future Trends

China leads globally in intelligent connected NEVs. The 2024 Government Work Report explicitly mandates "consolidating and expanding our leading position" in this industry. As vehicle curb weight increases and load-bearing architectures evolve, lightweighting will become a core competitive advantage in the smart EV market, necessitating a strategic restructuring of technology deployment based on the new landscape.