Alcoa Opens New Automotive Center in Detroit; Announces Several New Applications

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--Oct. 5, 2004--Alcoa formally opened its new Automotive Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, today and announced that it has been awarded more than a dozen new product applications by some of the most respected brands in the automotive industry. The new Alcoa Automotive Center has been created to integrate the efforts of Alcoa's automotive resources around the world to provide different new product and process solutions for some of the largest automakers.

More than 300 design, engineering, sales and marketing specialists began moving into the new 86,000 square feet office building earlier this year. The new facility joins Alcoa's North American automotive businesses into a single location and consolidates Alcoa offices located in Southfield, Livonia and Allen Park, Michigan.

The Center brings together Alcoa's seven automotive businesses, including Alcoa Fujikura, Advanced Transportation Systems, Automotive Castings, Cast Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels, Engineered and Mill Products.

Speaking during the opening ceremonies, Alcoa Vice President and Chairman of Alcoa Fujikura, Bob Alexander said: "Housing all of Alcoa's automotive businesses together will enable us to provide more customer-centered, consumer-targeted solutions faster. These businesses manufacture automotive products ranging from electrical distribution and crash management systems to body structure, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, chassis and suspension components to drive shafts, closure panels and aluminum wheels. These Alcoa products generate annual revenues of nearly $3 billion in 2003."

New product applications

During the event, Alcoa also announced a number of new automotive applications. They are:

-- Agreement with Ferrari to provide an aluminum spaceframe for the latest Ferrari F430, which will replace the 360 Modena.

-- The successful launch of a new family of forged aluminum wheels for the 2004 Ford Super Duty truck line. Alcoa Forged Specialty Wheels also achieved a new "time-to-market" milestone when it reduced the launch cycle on a new forged wheel for Chrysler Corporation from the normal 38 weeks to 5 weeks.

-- Alcoa Extruded Products announced it is part of a Visteon team supplying the first, large-scale commercial application of an aluminum "Slip-in-Tube" driveshaft technology used on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

-- Alcoa Automotive Castings will produce the front and rear subframes for GM's 2006 Corvette and Cadillac XLR.

-- Alcoa aluminum closure panels were announced on four hot new Chrysler Corporation models: The 2005 Chrysler 300C has an Alcoa aluminum hood and decklid; the Dodge Magnum, redesigned Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler Pacifica all feature hoods made from Alcoa sheet.

-- Alcoa has successfully produced eight new cast aluminum wheels for Nissan and Chrysler Corporation vehicles.

New Automotive website

Alcoa Automotive also launched a new website http://www.alcoa.com/lnk/auto, which focuses on how Alcoa helps its automotive customers deliver the features consumers want in their cars, including safety, performance, comfort and convenience, and styling. The website includes comprehensive product catalog and product information, and offers solutions for Alcoa automotive applications. The new site is a powerful tool for researching, locating and specifying Alcoa aluminum components on customers' vehicles. An interactive format allows users to click on a vehicle image and see all solutions Alcoa provided for a customer. Other content includes news, customer profiles, market information, and a complete list of Alcoa Automotive contacts.

About Alcoa Automotive

Alcoa automotive products are designed to enhance driving experience by improving a vehicle's performance, comfort and convenience, safety and styling. Alcoa's automotive products also have helped customers create revolutionary advances that have successfully repositioned entire brands. Easier opening and closing, electronic distribution systems, improved functionality, better visibility, reduced squeaks and rattles and more interior room are benefits car makers gain from Alcoa's innovative automotive products. In addition, many of the safest autos in the world feature Alcoa products in their crash management systems and crumple zones, side-impact beams and engine cradles. Alcoa automotive products also offer customers the opportunity to differentiate their products with fresh design and eye-catching appeal

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 42 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com