News and media

When we decided to "drive" our new S-in motion concept into Detroit for a North American press event in early December, I knew it would be quite an undertaking, writes Blake Zuidema, director, automotive product applications, East Chicago research and development (R&D). But I thought about the years our global automotive division has spent developing these new product applications and knew we had to make it happen.

As you might guess, the "S" in S-in motion represents steel and its many benefits, including:
1. Steel
2. Saving weight
3. Saving costs
4. Sustainability
5. Safety
6. Service
7. Strength
8. Solutions

From my perspective, now we are embarking on a ninth "S" – sharing the secret.

What started in Europe in November 2010 with the first launch has now moved to North America. I have had the rewarding opportunity to share S-in motion with our North American customers and media over the past month.

S-in motion represents the culmination of a two-year R&D project by our global automotive division. It introduces current and future steels designed to help carmakers save weight and reduce costs, while providing innovative ideas to manufacture safer, stronger and more sustainable vehicles.

Projects like S-in motion secure our future as a leading supplier to the automotive industry because they enable ArcelorMittal to better understand how the steel we produce works with carmakers’ designs and manufacturing processes. This partnership guides us when developing the next generation of advanced steels to create lighter vehicles.

The S-in motion steels and new applications have the potential to deliver up to 19% weight reduction compared with the 2010 C-segment baseline vehicle modules they replace. Most importantly for our customers, when used together these products save substantial weight and reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions at no additional cost.

S-in motion is transforming tomorrow for both ArcelorMittal and our customers. I look forward to continuing to "share the secret".