Aluminum: The Material of Choice for Future Generation Cars?

    HOUSTON--Oct. 31, 2001--The following is an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Inc.; Houston, Texas). Aluminum manufacturers are challenging steel manufacturers' claims that steel and steel products alone can help automakers manufacture lighter weight vehicles. In this challenge, the aluminum industry has the backing of automobile manufacturers who are increasingly incorporating aluminum and aluminum products in their vehicles to reduce weight, enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions without sacrificing safety or structural strength.
    Automotive applications of aluminum and aluminum products range from wheels to engines and hundreds of other components. Although aluminum today accounts for only 10 percent of a vehicle's total weight, it represents 35-50 percent of the total material scrap value at the end of its useful life. These numbers are expected to increase, as the automobile industry is increasingly adding aluminum and aluminum products in automobiles. For example, recently General Motors (GM) announced that it would be producing all aluminum V-8 truck engines in North America by 2005. GM joins the ranks of Ford Motor Company, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Company, Jaguar, BMW, Chrysler, and Audi AG who have all made similar announcements in favor of aluminum in their quest to reduce car weight and fuel consumption.
    Aluminum production in the U.S. decreased by over 25% from 2000 to 2001, mainly due to the energy crisis and its effect on the availability of electricity in the Northwest. Some of that capacity loss has been replaced by other facilities, but the overall decrease can be attributed to the downturn in aluminum markets such as automotive, and other extruded or forged products.
    Despite the recent automotive market downturn, aluminum has a bright future. The automotive industry is embracing aluminum because aluminum has roughly one third the density of steel and can absorb twice as much energy as steel of the same weight. Because of these characteristics, aluminum can enhance a vehicle's acceleration, handling, noise reduction and vibration. In addition, unlike steel, which must be coated, aluminum is corrosion resistant.
    Industrialinfo.com provides daily news related to the industrial market place including industry alerts and databases for the energy and industrial markets. For more information on trends and upcoming construction activities in the Metals and Minerals industry as well as other industrial sectors send inquiries to metalsandmineralsgroup@industrialinfo.com or visit us at www.industrialinfo.com.