Crisis: Carbon fiber in short supply

Carbon fiber has always been the material of choice when it comes to high-performance auto exotica. The woven synthetic is lighter and tougher than metal, helping to reduce overall car weight and improve rigidity. Because of its cost, carbon fiber use in the automotive industry has been limited only to high-end models, but that selection of cars could soon become much more exclusive. According to a recent report from USA Today, the wholesale price for the high-tech material has quadrupled in the last year, going from $5 to $20. The main reason behind the price surge is the emergence of next-generation airliners from Boeing and Airbus that use composite materials to reduce the weight and therefore minimise the cost of flying the plane. The price savings aren't insignificant, either. In an industry that works hard to shave points of a percent off the operating cost, these planes offer decreases of up to 20%. Carbon fiber manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with demand as order books for both companies become longer than those at Ferrari or Lamborghini. The increase has already affected at least one carmaker – Saleen, who builds the S7 supercar in California. According to the article, prices of the $580,000 car have been raised by $25,000 to cover the extra cost. Lately, we’ve seen the use of carbon fiber filter down to models such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes CLK Black Series, but this could soon end if the cost keeps increasing. There is some hope in the form of carbon manufacturers increasing production, but this could take years, by which time the damage will already be done.

By James #1, Posted: 6/7/2007

Let's see. People who are already filthy rich have to pay a small percentage increase for an already ungodly expensive car, while the masses get (hopefully) to pay a little less for air travel through reduced fuel burn. Sounds like a winner to me.
By Josh #2, Posted: 6/2/2008

What ingredients in carbon fiber are in short supply? Carbon? Fiber? Why can't the CF makers simply producer more carbon fiber? Unless it's a matter of limited materials (and it very well could be for all I know), then there's no reason it couldn't be manufactured in greater quantities, at lower cost, and be put in everything from jumbo jets to economy cars.
by Uncle B #3, Posted: 7/24/2009

Where is the rampant, unregulated, vulture capitalism, and exploitative corporate power when we need it? Goddamn! Teach the Chinese to make it - they overproduce and under-price everything else! Dumb bastards just don't know how to make a buck! Jump in that company jet, grab a translator, and get to Beijing! Last I heard, they were open for business? If not, land anywhere in India with and airport and wave Yankee green-backs out the plane as you disembark, shouting "Carbon fiber! carbon Fiber! Goddamn stupid complacent Yankee Doodle fatp-assed commission boys, get out from under the fvcking air conditioner and do business as G d and the constitution intended!