Japan-based Teijin Limited has announced that it has established mass production technologies for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) that reduces the cycle time for molding automobile frames to less than one minute. In other words, by the time you're done reading this post (or maybe this and another one), Teijin could have made you a lightweight car frame.

This achievement, the company says, represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in the CFRP industry, calling it a massive step forwards to the adoption of the lightweight, fuel-saving carbon fiber composite in mass-produced vehicles.

To demonstrate its cutting-edge technology, Teijin has developed an electric concept car featuring its thermoplastic CFRP. The concept's frame weighs in at a mere 47 kilograms (104 pounds), which is approximately one fifth the weight of a conventional automobile frame, according to Teijin. The battery-powered four-seater is capable of hitting speeds of up to 37 miles per hour and can cruise along for 62 miles on a full charge. The concept embodies Teijin's ultimate vision of a super-lightweight, CFRP-framed electric city car of the future.

Source: Autoblog Green