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The article focuses on the carbon fiber composites used in the assembly of the all-electric, four-door passenger car known as i3 from BMW Group. It discusses the two primary structures such as the aluminum Drive Module and the Life Module. It mentions that every carbon fiber part manufacture made for the i3 has started in Otake, Japan.

Some scientists have said that alloy development is a mature field with little room for improvement. This week, however, researchers report a new method for making titanium-based alloys with many qualities far superior to those in any alloy previously known. The team originally intended to develop materials for automobile parts, says Takashi Saito of Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories in Nagakute, Japan. Instead, he and his coworkers wound up with materials that Saito says are too expensive for mass production in automobiles but have unusual properties suitable for a new generation of precision screws, eyeglass frames, medical devices, sporting goods, and spacecraft parts. Engineers can also readily mold or bend the materials at room temperature into various shapes, a property called superplasticity.

The article reports on the large-scale effort announced by automaker Honda Motor Co. Ltd. to recycle rare earths, wherein, the company establishes a mass-production process to recapture rare-earth metals from used Honda parts in April 2012 as part of a joint effort with Japan Metals & Chemicals Co. in Japan. The company claims that it can recover 80% of rare-earth metals from used nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The article reports on the plan of advanced material manufacturer Toray Industries Inc. of Japan to mass-produce carbon fibre parts for cars by 2010. Toray will open an $18 million R&D center at Nagoya by 2008 and will work with Japanese carmakers including Nissan Corp. and Toyota Corp. The center will make technologies for automotive body panels and chassis structures out of carbon fibre. Meanwhile, it states that the company will review its manufacturing facilities.

The article reports on the development of a double-pipe internal heat exchanger that fits in a confined spaces by components group Denso Corp. in Japan. According to the company, the new air conditioning system has been introduced in the Middle East and Near East markets on the Toyota Prado and in North America on the Lexus GX470.

Reports that Matsushita Automation Controls has created in 2004 the digital type UZF-41, a new UZF sensor with a 'jog' switch.

Reports that a revolutionary extractable seat, described by Professor Sid Watkins, president of the FIA Medical Commission, as an enormous breakthrough in Formula One driver safety, was unveiled at the Japanese Grand Prix in early November 1998. Key features and specifications; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on the automotive engineering sector.

Reports on the hesitation of Japan to open its market to American automobile parts. Increase of the trade deficit of Japan with the United States.