Abstract: Lightweighting of automotive is an important measure for energy conservation and emissions
reduction with significance for sustainable development of automotive industry. This paper summarizes the
current research and future trends of automotive lightweight technology in China and in the world from three
aspects: the structural optimization, the lightweight materials, and the advanced manufacturing technology.
The review includes the basic principles and research developments of structural size optimization, shape
optimization, to pological optimization, and multidisciplinary design optimization. And it introduces the
applications of high-strength steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, plastic material, composite material;
as well as the applications of hydroform and laser welding in automotive industry. The authors think that the
lightweight technology future research area are the improvement of automotive structural optimization theory,
the multi-material integration, the lightweight components, and the systematization and integration of lightweight
technology.

Key words: automotive lightweight technology, structural optimization, high strength steel, alloy, hydroform, laser welding