# Lightweight Sustainability Luxury auto brands seek to offer agile eco concepts for urban living. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Feb 26, 2016 | Category: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/auto-and-motor-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/lightweight-sustainability ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Lightweight Sustainability trend? **Lightweight Sustainability:** Luxury auto brands are adapting their vehicles to comply with changing consumer expectations around eco-consciousness. In addition to exploring electric avenues, many automotive brands are opting for alternative sources and methods of harnessing energy while maintaining as light a weight as possible. Beyond sustainability, the premise of such concepts speak to a desire to better and more successfully navigate congested urban environments. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 15, 2015 to May 18, 2017 - Published: Feb 26, 2016 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Lightweight Sustainability trend ### Lightweight Materials Luxury auto brands are opting for alternative, lighter weight materials and methods of harnessing energy to comply with eco-conscious consumers' changing expectations. Opportunities abound for developing new sustainable cars that achieve design sophistication and performance in even the smallest urban spaces. ### Alternative Power Sources A number of luxury auto brands are exploring alternative power sources like hydrogen, solar, and fuel cell technology to produce vehicles that run cleaner, more quietly, and with you guessed it: zero emissions. This opens up vast opportunities to develop and offer more fuel-efficient cars without compromising performance. ### Innovative Design Given the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options, motorcycle and auto designers are increasingly focusing on more futuristic, and lightweight designs that can make everyday transportation more eco-friendly. Design innovations like hollow chassis, carbon fiber exteriors, and sleek aerodynamic shapes offers endless disruptive potential for creating new lightweight, eco-friendly cars and motorcycles. ## What the Lightweight Sustainability trend means for industry ### For Automotive Manufacturing The automotive manufacturing industry has vast creative and technological potential for producing sustainable and highly efficient models that can be mass-produced, fuel-efficient and cost-effective. ### For Energy Production The energy production industry heavily impacts the automotive industry and offers opportunities to both harness new power sources and to improve access to existing ones in order to ensure sustainable, zero-emissions cars first become popular and eventually, the norm. ### For Sustainable Technology The sustainable technology field has a tremendous potential for breakthroughs that can propel zero-emission vehicles from being a novelty to becoming more widely used. Investing in this field could make a significant difference in developing eco-friendly and efficient transportation worldwide. ## Workshop question What non-traditional methods can you use to improve your brand's sustainability? ## Trend signals for Lightweight Sustainability Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 43%, activity 59%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 43% - Activity: 59% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Lightweight Sustainability trend 6 featured examples from Aug 15, 2015 to May 18, 2017. - [Aerodynamic Solar Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immortus): The Immortus Sports Car is Capable of Providing Unlimited Range (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating solar power and aerodynamic designs into mainstream vehicle production for improved efficiency and sustainability. - [Hollow Chassis Motorcycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorcycle-concept): The BMW 'i Motorrad Beta|R' Motorcycle Concept Has Futuristic Touches (Category: Autos) Implication: Automakers can explore innovative solutions that combine lightweight materials, hollow chassis designs, and magnetic suspension systems for better urban mobility and user experien… - [Eco Carbon Fiber Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrogen-fuel-cell-car): The Riversimple 'Rasa' Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Provides Enhanced Range (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integration of hydrogen fuel cell technology in automotive manufacturing. - [Hydrogen-Powered Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrogenpowered-car): This Innovative Vehicle Offers Fuel Economy and Lightweight Structure (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunity for automakers to invest in research and development of hydrogen-powered cars, fuel-efficient technologies, and lightweight structures for vehicles. - [Compact Hydrogen Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrogen-car): The New Honda FCV Vehicle Gives Off Water Vapors Instead of Emissions (Category: Autos) Implication: The development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Honda FCV offers disruptive innovation opportunities for automakers by providing a more sustainable and eco-friendly mode o… - [Limited Edition Lightweight Coupes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/m240i-m-performance-edition): BMW Will Only Make 750 of the New M240i M Performance Edition (Category: Autos) Implication: Automotive manufacturers can explore limited edition production and the integration of carbon fiber in vehicle exteriors to offer unique and high-performance options to consumers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Racing Homage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/racing-homage) (Autos) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Autos - [French Retro City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/french-retro-city-cars) - [Factory-Backed Performance Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heritage-performance-centers) - [Flexible Luxury Motorhomes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flexible-luxury-motorhomes) - [Electric Luxury Grand Tourers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-price-ev-sedans) All articles: [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos)