'Don't Shrink it, Rethink it' with KVA's New ms² Technologies to Reduce Automobile Weight

Press release
Source: KVA (USA)

Escondido, California -- "Don't Shrink it, Rethink it" with KVA. Consumers don't want smaller cars; they want to be comfortable and safe while driving their automobiles. KVA's materials and process will allow auto manufactures to meet mandated fuel efficiency requirements without having to sacrifice size, affordability or safety NOW!

KVA's ms² advanced high strength steel is capable of providing automakers with an immediate solution to improve crashworthiness of their vehicles, while reducing overall curb weight without sending sticker prices through the roof. KVA's patented technologies enable safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles at a price consumers can afford.

The use of KVA processed martensitic stainless steel (ms²) can reduce a vehicle's structured weight by as much as 40% percent. "With KVA's ms² ™automakers can develop vehicles that are safe and meet all environmental requirements with cost-effective, lightweight advanced high strength steel technology." Says KVA's Business Development Officer.

President Barack Obama's administration, in cooperation with the automotive industry, environmental activists and members of state governments, recently released new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks, raising the required industry average to 35.5 miles-per-gallon (mpg) by 2016. Under the new rules, passenger vehicles will have to meet an average 39 mpg, while light trucks will be required to meet 30 mpg. This will require manufacturers to reduce an average weight of 350 pounds, estimated to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and raise the average fuel efficiency of a new car by 30 percent.

KVA's Team can effortlessly implement and retrofit existing plants with their proprietary process which provides automakers immediate solutions to reduce the weight of cars to meet the 35 miles-per-gallon fuel economy standard. KVA's patented ms² process provides a low-cost martenstic stainless steel with excellent mechanical properties - strength, toughness and fatigue performance (in addition to atmospheric corrosion resistance) while remaining easy to form, fabricate and process.

"With sky-high fuel costs expected over the long term and the new administration fuel economy standards, the time has come to rethink the basics of vehicle design," said Laurie McCrink, Vice President of KVA Inc. "We believe Advanced High Strength Steel designs and our proprietary breakthrough of ms² (Martensitic stainless steel) will build a better car, and the KVA process provides an alternative for the next generation of vehicles.

KVA recently completed tests with several major automotive manufacturers as well as suppliers on several structure and safety components using KVA's ms² ™. Tests done by Ford Motor Co. demonstrated a lighter KVA ms² front bumper beam with increased strength. KVA's Business Development department is presently interviewing potential strategic partners, ventures, licensees, OEM's and manufactures.