Detroit-based Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT) today announced Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) has joined the institute to advance the company’s research into lightweight metals to reduce the weight of future vehicles. Comprised of Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Bugatti, VWGoA is now a LIFT silver member and is the first automotive OEM to join the institute.
Based in Detroit’s Corktown district, LIFT is a public-private partnership that develops and deploys advanced lightweight metal manufacturing technologies and implements education and training programs to prepare the automotive industry’s workforce.
“We are thrilled to have VWGoA, along with their other high performing brands on the market, join LIFT,” says Lawrence Brown, executive director of LIFT. “Bringing an automotive OEM into membership alongside our present auto suppliers and industry OEMs members creates an enhanced robust ecosystem, allowing participants from across industries to work together and learn from each other.”
VWGoA is primarily interested in working on research related to making internal components lighter while improving performance and power for the vehicle, while reducing manufacturing costs.
“Light-weighting is critical for the future of our vehicles, not only to improve on fuel economy, but also to help improve vehicle performance,” says Hagen Seifert, head of materials for Audi AG. “The innovative research being done and the network of industry and academic experts available at LIFT were keys drivers in our decision to join.”
