Whether you are pushing a shopping trolley or powering a road train we can all appreciate that the lighter something is the less energy you need to propel it.

Unfortunately for mass produced vehicles this simple logic quickly becomes complicated when we consider manufacturability, safety, reliability and cost even though lightweight structures are universally recognised as a key to future low CO₂ emission vehicles.

Put simply in high volume markets the use of super-strong lightweight structures which take advantage of the latest in materials technologies is in its infancy with most cars still built predominately from steel.

The ARC Training Centre in Lightweight Automotive Structures - ATLAS - exists to help Australia capture the opportunities provided by light weighting.  We bring together academic and industry technical leaders across three continents with lead partner the Ford Motor Company to train commercially focused researchers and develop innovative practical solutions in lightweight multi-material structures obtained through the latest advanced manufacturing methods.

I invite you to come with us on this exciting journey and get involved in the many initiatives the Centre will lead.