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SMC Use For Structures and Drivetrain Components On Cars and Trucks Increases 400% in Five Years

24 February 1998

SMC Use For Structures and Drivetrain Components On Cars and Trucks Increases 400% in Five Years

    TROY, Mich., Feb. 24 -- The pounds of Sheet Molding Composite
(SMC) used for structures and drivetrain components on cars and trucks has
increased 400% since 1993, according to the SMC Automotive Alliance, an
automotive trade association that monitors the growth of the composite
material.
    "SMC has long been known as a composite used for automotive body panels
such as hoods, fenders and decklids," says Don Kossak, the SMCAA's chairman
and director of exterior sales for Cambridge Industries.  "Automakers are now
also realizing the suitability of SMC for structures and drivetrain components
-- such as grille opening reinforcements, bumper beams, valve covers and fuel
tank heat shields -- because in many cases, SMC helps consolidate several
steel stampings into a few.  SMC can reduce manufacturing complexity, lower
program costs and, depending on the application, make sense for high-and
low-volume applications."
    "Five years ago, there were 22 SMC structural and drivetrain components on
cars and trucks, representing 13% of the 156 million pounds of SMC used by
automakers," says Kossak.  "In 1998, the number nearly tripled with 71 SMC
structures and drivetrain components used by automakers, representing
approximately 35% of the 237 million pounds produced for use."
    In 1998, much of the growth of SMC for structures and drivetrain
applications is in fuel tank heat shields on the Ford Expedition, F250,
Windstar, Ranger and Contour, and also on the Lincoln Navigator.
    "The growth in the use of SMC for structures and drivetrain components
reflects the desire by automakers to find increasingly better ways to cut
costs, simplify assemblies and enhance quality," says Kossak.
    Automotive body panels remain the key market for SMC, representing over
65% of the pounds used in 1998.  New-for-'98 SMC body panels include the hood
on the Lincoln Navigator; decklid and tonneau cover on the redesigned Corvette
Convertible; hood, decklid, fenders and sunshade on the Lincoln Continental;
and the hood, fenders, grille and accent bar on the Freightliner HN 177
heavy-duty truck.
    The total number of SMC components used on 1998-model cars and trucks has
increased 8% since 1997, expanding from 438 SMC components used in 1997 to 472
applications found on 1998-model cars and trucks.  SMC is currently used on
more than 130 domestic and import passenger cars and trucks produced by 28
manufacturers.
    The SMC Automotive Alliance, established in 1998 as an activity of the
Society of the Plastics Industry's Composites Institute, is comprised of 26
SMC molders and composite materials suppliers that provide the automotive
industry with SMC exterior panels, interior trim and engine and structural
components.

SOURCE  SMC Automotive Alliance