Worldwide, the automotive industry is being challenged to make dramatic improvements in vehicle fuel economy. In Europe there are CO2 emissions penalties prorated by the degree to which vehicles exceed mandated CO2 levels. In the United States, vehicle fuel economy targets set by Congress in 2007 for 20 per cent fuel economy improvement by 2020 are now being accelerated by the Obama administration to 35.5 mpg by 2016 for a passenger car. Taking...