Following BMW, Daimler announces carbon fiber future ahead for Mercedes

It seem like just a minute ago that BMW said its use of carbon fiber on upcoming vehicles would become a high-volume deal. Now, Green Car Advisor is reporting that Daimler, never willing to be a step behind, has also announced plans to increase its investment in the material. Daimler has enlisted the help of Toray Industries, a Japanese textile company, to help make carbon fiber body parts for Mercedes-Benz vehicles beginning in 2012. The parts will reduce vehicle weight and help the company meet upcoming CAFE regulations. The first Mercedes product to be adorned with carbon fiber will be the SL-Class.

Daimler choose Toray Industries due to its expertise in carbon fiber. Though not a common name to many, Toray is actually a dominant force in the industry, controlling 34 percent of the global market. This will be Toray's first venture into making car parts out of carbon fiber. The company's current automotive-related experiences with the material has been limited to supplying carbon fiber yarns to Ferrari and various aftermarket companies. Daimler and Toray will work together on development of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body parts and production will be carried out at a Toray facility in France.