U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Touts Aluminum Benefits to Boost Automotive Fuel Economy

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2006 -- In a visit yesterday to the Livonia, Mich. headquarters of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta promoted automotive aluminum applications as a fuel- saving technology to be used by automakers in response to demands for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

According to the Associated Press, Mineta, "promoted fuel-saving technology such as lightweight aluminum parts and brakes that can harness energy and power hybrid motors."

The following statement is from Steve Larkin, President of the Aluminum Association:

"Transportation Secretary Mineta clearly recognizes the value aluminum delivers in terms of fuel economy and the environment and we applaud him for his leadership and vision. As fuel prices remain high and global warming concerns grow, innovative automakers are at the forefront of using advanced materials and technologies to boost fuel economy and reduce green house emissions, and aluminum is leading the way.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recognized the value of aluminum and other high strength, low weight materials as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed structural changes last year to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations, using vehicle size, instead of weight, to determine the standards which regulate fuel economy and safety. The final rule is expected to be issued in the next few months and NHTSA officials were quoted as saying they chose size based standards, in part, to create incentives to use these high-strength, low weight materials, which ensure vehicle safety while improving fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions.

The Aluminum Association has been tracking the phenomenal growth of this material and will be making an announcement on March 7th documenting the worldwide movement by automakers to greatly increase aluminum use in automotive applications -- no doubt due to aluminum's environmental, safety and performance advantages."

The Aluminum Association provided docketed comments and comprehensive safety research to NHTSA as part of their CAFE rulemaking.