Abstract
Keywords - Weight Reduction, Crash Resistance, Formability, Springback, Weldability..
Abstract - The use of HSS and UHSS steels has increased in the recent Fiat models. In the memory we show the main characteristics of HSS and UHSS steels. Thanks to the introduction of these materials and a consequent design, we can reach significant weight reduction (requested by the new emissions requirements) and an increased crash resistance (increased attention of the customers for Euro-Ncap evaluations). We cooperated with the steel mills and the steel component suppliers that usually supply Fiat. Their resident engineers have chosen the materials with Fiat Technical Direction, so we avoided some problems that caused the failure of these steels of the past projects. Furthermore, the increased technical information given by Fiat Materials Engineering and the steel mills, allowed Fiat Technical Direction to build a reliable virtual model. In the memory we describe the work done till today and our efforts to introduce more HSS and UHSS steels in our models, facing the increased spring back problem. Well show an example in order to explain the importance of the involvement from the beginning of the suppliers that before were not part of the decision process.