Proposed NHTSA CAFE Structure Will Benefit Safety and Fuel Economy, Aluminum Industry Says

August 23, 2005 (Washington, DC) -- Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is releasing its proposed rule to create a size-based standard for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), using size-based criterion to set fuel economy regulations for SUVs, pickups, vans and minivans. The following statement is from Tom Gannon, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group:

"The aluminum industry was an early and vocal champion of size-based CAFE standards because of the safety and fuel economy advantages such an approach offers society. While we will review the details of NHTSA's specific proposal, there is an emerging body of knowledge confirming that vehicle size -- more than weight -- is a better determinant of vehicle safety. As such, size-based standards may create incentives for automakers to make even greater use of aluminum and other low weight, high strength materials to keep or even increase vehicle size for safety, while decreasing their weight for better performance and fuel economy. Under that scenario, everybody wins."

The Aluminum Association provided docketed comments and comprehensive safety research to NHTSA as part of this rulemaking. For more information, to obtain a copy of the safety study, or to arrange an interview on how NHTSA's proposal may affect automotive design and safety, as well as the lightweight materials industry, please contact John Fitzpatrick at (202) 289-2001 or Caroline Jeffs at (248) 649-8000.