 To meet these challenges, automotive manufacturers are turning to lightweight metals as a solution[1-3].Aluminum engine blocks, suspension components, body panels, and frame members are increasingly common, in addition to the use of magnesium in components such as instrument panels, valve covers, transmission housings, and steering-column components.Combining or replacing these efforts with the use of advanced metal-matrix micro- and nano-composites (MMCs) not only reduce mass, but can also improve reliability and efficiency[4,5].