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As the use of aluminum in automobiles increases, opportunities exist to improve the resource and environmental impacts of the automobile over its life cycle. This paper documents initial life cycle assessment results and actual improvements which have been made over the past several years to reduce life cycle energy and environmental impacts of automobiles and automotive aluminum. The use of a time-based, strategic analysis process to supplement life cycle inventory data and drive improvements at the process level is highlighted. New tools, based on emerging geographic information technology, are introduced to help overcome current life cycle limitations related to local impacts, global perspectives, and stakeholder communications.