You will hear from three experts on the materials side of the automotive industry about their excitement of how advanced and complex materials are rapidly developing in many of today’s leading vehicles. You will also hear some of their concerns about the materials evolution in the automotive industry. Each of our panelists raise interesting points on how these new advance materials are a major benefit in the automotive industry: Jody explains how her company, Steel Market Development Institute in Southfield, Michigan, works closely with automotive companies to provide a better opportunity to deliver more performance and light weighting vehicles. Michael, of Abaris Training Inc. in Reno, Nevada, notes how the automotive industry is edging out the aerospace industry in advanced technology to make quicker and less expensive vehicles. And Doug, of the Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Transportation Group, explaines how advanced technology and new materials have played a major role in how cars have become safer and more comfortable and handled better on the road.

We'll also touch on a few of their concerns in the industry – from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to the lack of proper training in handling these new, advanced materials for collision repair technicians, as well as the need to have these trained technicians accessible at collision repair shops in smaller, suburban communities.