Editor's Note: A hypertext-enhaneed version of this article appears on theJOMWorid Wide Web site. Itean be found at http://www.tms.org/pubs/journalsIJOM/9607 / Alvarado-9607.html.As weight and cost savings drive changes in performance criteria for automotive materials, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are taking a harder look at the historically terne-coated steel used for gas tanks. This article compares steel and plastic for gas tank uses according to performance attributes and a competitive analysis. Legislation issues and current OEM activity are included.