A method for producing a hot dip galvanized/galvannealed steel sheet, the steel sheet consisting of the following elements by weight percent: 0.15-0.4% carbon; 1.5-4% manganese; 2% or less silicon, aluminum, or some combination thereof; 0.5% or less molybdenum; 0.05% or less niobium; the balance being iron and other incidental impurities; wherein the steel sheet has a microstructure consisting of generally martensite and austenite; the method comprising the steps of (a) heating the steel sheet to a first temperature T1, wherein T1 is at least above the temperature at which the steel sheet transforms to austenite and ferrite; (b) cooling the steel sheet to a second temperature T2 which is sufficiently low with respect to the martensite start temperature Ms to form an adequate amount of martensite to act as a carbon source to stabilize the austenite and avoid creating excessive "fresh" martensite upon the final quench and which is sufficiently high to avoid consuming too much austenite during the initial quench by cooling at a cooling rate, wherein T2 is below the martensite start temperature Ms, wherein the cooling rate is sufficiently rapid to transform austenite to martensite and to avoid the formation of non-martensitic transformation products; (c) subjecting the steel sheet to hot dip galvanizing or galvannealing while cooling the steel sheet to T2; (d) re-heating the steel sheet to a partitioning temperature, wherein the partitioning temperature is sufficient to permit diffusion of carbon within the structure of the steel sheet; (e) stabilizing austenite by holding the steel sheet at the partitioning temperature for a holding time, wherein the holding time is of a period of time sufficient to permit diffusion of carbon from martensite to austenite; and (f) cooling the steel sheet to room temperature. 0.15-0.4% carbon; 1.5-4% manganese; 2% or less silicon, aluminum, or some combination thereof; 0.5% or less molybdenum; 0.05% or less niobium; (a) heating the steel sheet to a first temperature T1, wherein T1 is at least above the temperature at which the steel sheet transforms to austenite and ferrite; (b) cooling the steel sheet to a second temperature T2 which is sufficiently low with respect to the martensite start temperature Ms to form an adequate amount of martensite to act as a carbon source to stabilize the austenite and avoid creating excessive "fresh" martensite upon the final quench and which is sufficiently high to avoid consuming too much austenite during the initial quench by cooling at a cooling rate, wherein T2 is below the martensite start temperature Ms, wherein the cooling rate is sufficiently rapid to transform austenite to martensite and to avoid the formation of non-martensitic transformation products; (c) subjecting the steel sheet to hot dip galvanizing or galvannealing while cooling the steel sheet to T2; (d) re-heating the steel sheet to a partitioning temperature, wherein the partitioning temperature is sufficient to permit diffusion of carbon within the structure of the steel sheet; (e) stabilizing austenite by holding the steel sheet at the partitioning temperature for a holding time, wherein the holding time is of a period of time sufficient to permit diffusion of carbon from martensite to austenite; and (f) cooling the steel sheet to room temperature. <EOS>