The present paper reviews the present potential of magnesium and its alloys as structural light-weight material in transportation industry. An overview will be given on the state of the art in casting technologies of magnesium alloys in order to broaden possible applications in light weight construction. Further, wrought magnesium will be emphasized as a challenge for developing magnesium towards a competitive constructional material. Future needs in all regards involve further alloy development which has to need the special requirements for each process. An overview on actual research activities in Europe and also especially in Germany will be given.