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Automotive components designed and manufactured with lightweight materials are becoming a means whereby the CO2 emission reduction targets in the use phase can be met. On the other hand, such alternative materials might generate higher environmental impacts and a greater energy consumption in the production phase. As a consequence, the use phase is becoming less critical than the manufacturing phase; moreover, the choice of lighter materials might be or not a winning solution depending on several other factors, which can be managed and compared only through the use of dedicated softwares, like the one developed in Fiat Auto.

In the last few years the cost analysis methodologies have progressively become indispensable tools for the administrative management of a firm. In parallel, the need to integrate them to the quantification of the environmental impacts is getting stronger and stronger. One of the most innovative approaches of integration is “Life Cycle Costing” (LCC), which determines the costs associated to the life cycle of products and processes, including also the ones deriving from their environmental impacts. An example is shown here, with reference to the economical and environmental costs related to the life cycle of a metallic vehicle component.