Abstract
In the automotive industry laser applications have been expanding from small machined parts of engines and transmissions to larger pressed parts of car body. One reason behind the increase of laser applications in the automotive industry is that the high performance and flexible solid state lasers have been developed. Another reason behind is that laser technology offers the potential to meet new vehicle requirements originating from environmental issues and societal demands, which ordinary processing techniques are unable to satisfy. This paper describes recent laser applications as typical examples of the use of lasers by the Japanese car industry to meet the requirement for lighter vehicles and improved fuel economy, which is one of the most critical vehicle issues facing car companies today.
