SOS: Carbon Fiber in Short Supply

Carbon fiber has always been the material of choice when it comes to high-performance auto exotica. The woven synthetic is lighter and tougher than metal, helping to reduce overall car weight and improve rigidity. Because of its cost, carbon fiber use in the automotive industry has been limited only to high-end models, but that selection of cars could soon become much more exclusive. According to a recent report from USA Today, the wholesale price for the high-tech material has quadrupled in the last year, going from $5 to $20.

The main reason behind the price surge is the emergence of next-generation airliners from Boeing and Airbus that use composite materials to reduce the weight and therefore minimise the cost of flying the plane. The price savings aren’t insignificant, either. In an industry that works hard to shave points of a percent off the operating cost, these planes offer decreases of up to 20%. Carbon fiber manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with demand as order books for both companies become longer than those at Ferrari or Lamborghini.

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AMGC55 - 6/8/2007 6:39:14 PM

+2 Boost

dumb civic tuners stole it all fast and the furious style

Rupert - 6/8/2007 6:48:19 PM

+3 Boost

It's all the crashing Enzos that need it for repairs...stupid bus, Eddie Griffin or whoever or whatever caused the last one.

Flight152 - 6/9/2007 10:55:49 PM

+2 Boost

<<Everything will eventually return to normal, but in the mean time, idiots are robbing the public blind.>>

The entire carbon fiber market is being directed to building various components worldwide to the new Boeing 787, a plane changing commerical air travel, and at over 600+ orders before rollout, its doubtful things will change. Do a little research, idiot.

egog - 6/11/2007 10:40:48 AM

+1 Boost

Oh snap what am I going to use on those 1/4 scale model F1 Cars! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!