The lean forming technology for auto sheet metal has been proposed, which consists of a proper material selection method considering the forming characteristic, a hybrid optimization methodology for effective drawbead force design and an experiment platform with the control of variable blank holder force. Aiming at decreasing the forming sensitivity to variation in materials and process, a forming robust design methodology has been studied. The technical framework for auto sheet metal lean forming was constructed based on the idea of proper material selection, process optimization and robust control. Through more than 10 years of application in Baosteel and some automobile plants, 50 % market sharing has been targeted for Baosteel auto steel sheet, which effectively promotes the development of application technologies for home-made auto sheet metal.