When people think about the relationship between a steel company and a car manufacturer, they often imagine something quite simple: we provide the steel, they stamp it into shape, and the job is done. But that’s far from the full story. For ArcelorMittal, the automotive industry has been one of our most exciting and demanding partners for more than 40 years. It is a relationship that has shaped the way we innovate, collaborate, and think about the future of mobility.

Our journey with automakers began with one of the industry’s oldest challenges: corrosion. Decades ago, car bodies were prone to rust, and carmakers were desperate for a solution that would improve durability and reduce warranty costs. We didn’t wait for the problem to worsen, we anticipated it. Our metallurgists developed new coatings that could resist corrosion far better than before. That marked the start of a new kind of partnership, one built on collaboration and co-development rather than just supply and demand.

By the early 2000s, the conversation had shifted. Safety and crash resistance became top priorities, followed by weight reduction and, more recently, sustainability. Each new challenge pushed us to rethink the role that steel could play. The steels we use in cars today are five times stronger than those used 30 years ago, yet they’re lighter and more cost-effective. That’s the result of decades of R&D and a constant drive to stay ahead of our customers’ needs.

Driving simplification and accelerating vehicle time to market through innovative steel solutions

One of the biggest steps forward in recent times has been what we call ArcelorMittal Multi Part Integration®. In simple terms, we combine several grades of steel with different properties, different strengths, thicknesses, and coatings into a single tailored piece. Imagine a patchwork quilt of steels, each one chosen for a specific purpose. In the front of a car, for instance, you need steel that can absorb energy in a crash, while the cabin area needs the strongest possible protection. We laser weld these pieces together into one part before it ever reaches the carmaker. Instead of dealing with fourteen separate parts for something like a double door ring, they now receive two parts. The result is a lighter, safer, and simpler process with less wastage.

Whilst simplification matters more than ever, so too does time to market. When I started my career, the time to develop a new vehicle was six years. Today, some carmakers are taking new electric vehicles from concept to launch in only two years. Computer simulation has replaced much of the physical testing, which means our engineers now work side by side with automakers during the design phase to model how our steels will behave under stress. Anticipation rather than reaction has become the key to success.

Supporting the shift to electrification

The shift to electrification is another transformation reshaping everything we do.  Electrical steel, a special type of steel designed to efficiently conduct magnetic fields with minimal energy loss, is a key component in electric motors. The thinner and more precisely engineered the steel, the better the range and performance of the vehicle. That’s why we’re building new electrical-steel facilities in Europe and the U.S. to ensure we can supply these high-performance materials wherever our customers build their vehicles.

Leveraging the power of our unique global presence

Working globally gives us a unique perspective on how the automotive landscape is evolving. In China, for instance, the speed of innovation is staggering. When I first visited Shanghai more than a decade ago, the air was thick with pollution and the streets roared with combustion engines. Today, half the cars on the road are electric, the city is quieter, and the industry moves at a breathtaking pace. China has now emerged as a global leader in automotive technology, driving innovation in electric vehicles, battery systems, and smart mobility solutions.  Today, automakers around the world, including those in Europe and the U.S., are exchanging ideas with Chinese companies, learning from their expertise in digitalisation and agile production.

Our global presence allows us to spot these trends early. Operating in every major automotive region means we can share these insights across continents helping our partners anticipate what’s coming next. Often, a solution developed for a European customer turns out to be exactly what a Chinese automaker needs, or vice versa, creating a win-win for everyone.

Shaping cars of the future

Looking ahead, the challenges continue to evolve. Passive safety and high-strength steel remain essential, especially as vehicles become increasingly autonomous. At the same time, simplification and cost efficiency are more important than ever, not only to reduce expenses but also to adapt to shifting demographics. In Japan, for example, simplification is driven in part by the need to reduce reliance on a shrinking workforce. Whilst across all regions, carmakers face the pressure to build vehicles faster, more affordably, and more sustainably.

The beauty of steel is its adaptability. From corrosion resistance to crash performance, from lightweighting to electrification, steel has continued to reinvent itself. And at ArcelorMittal, we’ve learned that staying relevant in this industry isn’t just about making stronger steel, it’s about creating smarter solutions and stronger partnerships. The automotive world is changing faster than ever, but one thing remains constant: our commitment to helping shape the cars of the future, one innovation at a time.