Main innovations since the introduction of composite materials
Composites in the automotive industry

The main vehicles with noteworthy innovations were the following:

• 1955: the chassis and body panels of the Chevrolet Corvette and the Alpine Renault sedan are made from contact polyester/fiberglass. Styling effects and cost savings (no stamping tools or presses) were the main motivations;

• 1955: the roof of the Citroën DS 19, made of polyester/fiberglass, with the introduction of non-metallic panels in mass production;

• 1957: the Trabant 601, whose body is made of thermosetting phenolic resin reinforced with cotton fibers used mainly to cope with the steel...