Cars are made from a variety of metals, each chosen for its specific properties to meet the demands of different parts of the vehicle. The most common metals used in car manufacturing include:

1. Steel
Applications: Body panels, chassis, and structural components.
Why It’s Used:
High strength and durability.
Cost-effective.
Can be engineered into lightweight high-strength variants (e.g., high-strength steel) for improved fuel efficiency.
2. Aluminum
Applications: Engine blocks, wheels, body panels, hoods, and transmission cases.
Why It’s Used:
Lightweight, reducing overall vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency.
Corrosion-resistant.
Good thermal conductivity, making it ideal for engine components.
3. Magnesium
Applications: Some engine parts, wheels, and structural components.
Why It’s Used:
Extremely lightweight (lighter than aluminum).
Strong for its weight, improving fuel efficiency.
Used in limited quantities due to higher cost and lower strength compared to steel.
4. Copper
Applications: Electrical wiring, motors, and connectors.
Why It’s Used:
Excellent electrical conductivity.
Durable and corrosion-resistant.
5. Zinc
Applications: Protective coatings (galvanization) and die-cast components (e.g., locks, handles).
Why It’s Used:
Corrosion resistance when used as a coating.
Cost-effective for intricate casting.
6. Titanium
Applications: High-performance or luxury car parts (exhaust systems, engine components).
Why It’s Used:
Lightweight and extremely strong.
Corrosion-resistant and durable.
Primarily used in high-performance applications due to cost.
7. Nickel
Applications: Stainless steel components, batteries (for electric vehicles).
Why It’s Used:
Corrosion resistance.
Key component in lithium-ion batteries.
8. Lead
Applications: Batteries (lead-acid batteries in conventional cars).
Why It’s Used:
High energy storage capacity and durability.
Used less frequently in newer electric and hybrid vehicles.
9. Chromium
Applications: Stainless steel components and chrome plating (decorative and corrosion-resistant finishes).
Why It’s Used:
Adds corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
Strengthens alloys.

Specialty Alloys

Applications: Turbos, performance engines, and lightweight body parts.
Why They’re Used:
Custom properties like heat resistance, strength, and weight savings.

Trends in Car Manufacturing

Increasing use of lightweight materials: Aluminum and magnesium are being used more frequently to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency.
Focus on recycling: Many metals used in cars, especially steel and aluminum, are recycled to reduce environmental impact.

Advanced composites: While not metals, carbon fiber and reinforced plastics are being used in combination with metals to optimize performance and weight.
By combining these metals strategically, manufacturers balance cost, performance, safety, and sustainability.