Chrysler thinking of fantastic plastic

By Russell Williamson

CHRYSLER in the United States could one day produce cars with a one-piece plastic molded body.

According to the U.S. publication Automotive News, the carmaker is investigating the possibilities of producing a blow- molded car body that would be simple to produce and not require painting.

Chrysler vice-chairman Robert Lutz said: "We want to gain experience with this plastic body molding technology to the point where we can essentially do a whole body in one shot out of the mold."

Lutz said by using a body with molded-in color, Chrysler could cut about 25 percent off the cost of a car.

The company is already looking into the possibility of using plastic body parts for its China Concept Vehicle.

This car was unveiled last October and is being touted as Chrysler's low-cost car for developing markets.

It features a full-steel frame with a plastic body of recyclable composite materials. Power comes from an 800cc, air- cooled, two-cylinder engine, providing fuel figures of 4.7 liters per 100km.

The car has a fabric roof and a design with striking similarities to early Citroens and Renaults. It has removable rear seats to allow increased luggage capacity.

Chrysler has yet to decide if the car will go into production.

Lutz said the idea of plastic-bodied cars was still just that and there was a long way to go before they became a reality.

"It's a research project at this point," he said.

Lutz said there was still debate about whether customers would accept the flat look of plastic, as opposed to the glossy paint of a steel-bodied car.

"If you think about the implications -- if it's a good molding color and if you can get the customer at that end of the market away from the need to have glossy paint -- it becomes a gigantic plastic toy that has an engine and a transmission that you can sit in and drive," he said.

"And that technology is worth pursuing."

But according to the report, an executive from a major plastics company said present plastic technology would be unable to cope with the extremes of temperature in a car.

"To achieve this goal, a new material must be developed," he said.

Lutz said Chrysler would work with a consortium of materials and mold suppliers to develop the technology.