Engineering Plastics and Plastic Composites in Automotive Applications Over the last 30 years, plastics have replaced traditional materials and emerged as a significant engineering application within the automotive industry. Plastics have proven to be cost effective while providing automakers with the design freedom to accommodate safety, styling, and comfort. This book provides industry executives and decision-makers with an overview of the use and advantages of plastics in applications such as instrument panels, seat systems, door handles, steering wheels, air bags, fenders, hoods, bumpers, cooling systems, engine covers, valve covers, oil filters, fuel tanks, hoses, and much more. New and future plastics applications in the automotive industry are also examined.