General Motors, Ford and Chrysler said they...

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler said they will conduct the U.S. auto industry’s first joint research into using plastic composite materials in the structure of cars and trucks. The 12-year joint research agreement is the first established by the major auto makers under the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984, which was passed by Congress to encourage research and development by U.S. industries. The venture will investigate polymer-based composite materials, which analysts say have major potential for structural use in cars and trucks.