U.S.-China startup aims to grow role in Toyota parts supply chain

Aerlyte sees opportunity with strong, lightweight composite material

20240124N Tacoma bed

Aerlyte produced a prototype of a composite material cargo bed for Toyota's pickup truck. (Photo by Noriyuki Doi)

NORIYUKI DOI, Nikkei staff writer

SHANGHAI -- A multinational startup co-founded by U.S., Chinese and European engineers is looking to expand business with Toyota Motor for composite material auto parts that are lighter and stronger than steel and aluminum.

Yang Heng, general manager for China at Aerlyte, expects its technology to be used this year in sport utility vehicles made by Toyota's U.S. arm. The SUV ranked high in global car sales by model from January to June 2023.

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