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The seating system in an automobile is one of the larger contributors to the overall vehicle mass, typically 10% to 15%. Consequently, OEM's and their seat system suppliers are focusing on seating system mass reductions. Johnson Controls, Inc., (JCI) is one such supplier that is committed to developing light-weight seat technology through alternative materials and enhanced designs. Over the last ten years JCI has developed light-weight seat concepts using carbon fiber, plastics, aluminum and magnesium materials as alternatives to steel. The project under study in this paper considers magnesium as a substitute for steel to achieve a lightweight seat for 1997 model year production. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether defined project objectives can be attained using magnesium as an appropriate material for a 1997, light-weight automotive seat project.