SMC Announces 45 New Car and Truck Components
24 February 1998
45 New SMC Car and Truck Components Debut in 1998
TROY, Mich., Feb. 24 -- Over 45 new SMC components are found
on 1998 cars and trucks, a 64% increase in the number of total SMC components
introduced since 1993.
The number of SMC components on 1998-model cars and trucks has increased
8% since 1997, expanding from 438 SMC components used in 1997 to 472
applications debuting on cars and trucks in 1998.
The pounds of SMC used also has increased during the past five years --
from 156 million pounds used in 1993 to 237 million pounds projected for use
in 1998. "Much of the growth is because of the continued popularity of SMC
for body panels -- especially on trucks -- and the proliferation of the
composite for high-volume structural and drivetrain components," says Don
Kossak, SMC Automotive Alliance chairman and director of exterior sales at
Cambridge Industries in Madison Heights, MI.
SMC will be used on over 10 million l998-model year cars and trucks. It is
currently used on more than 130 domestic and import passenger cars and trucks
produced by 28 manufacturers.
Body panels like hoods, decklids, roofs, doors and spoilers, remain the
largest market for SMC, representing approximately 70% of the applications (by
volume) currently on cars and trucks.
SMC Tooling Costs Half That of Steel on 1998 Lincoln Continental
SMC is helping Lincoln Continental offer its second distinct new look in
four model years. The hood, decklid and fenders have been made from SMC since
1995. This year, the Continental enjoys a makeover at tooling costs half that
of producing these large parts in steel. These parts combined weigh 25 lbs,
(11.4 kg) less than if made from steel.
"SMC provides automakers the ability to lengthen fenders, enlarge grilles,
reshape hoods and make styling changes quickly and affordably on the
Continental, at a price where steel and aluminum can't compete," says Mike
Dorney, SMCAA member and manager of North American sales and marketing for
Troy-based Budd Plastics Div., which molds the components. "In addition,
automakers enjoy the increased performance found by taking the weight out of
the front and rear ends." The front fenders are molded from "Hi-Flex" SMC,
designed as a tough, lightweight alternative for vertical body panels that
experience a high number of impacts.
Lincoln Navigator Has SMC Hood
The hood on the 1998 Lincoln Navigator sport utility is SMC. This adds to
the more than 25 hoods made from SMC on current production cars and trucks,
including the Lincoln Continental, Dodge Viper, Ford Econoline and several
heavy trucks. SMC provides the design flexibility and surface finish
required, has lower tooling cost than steel and is up to 30% lighter than a
comparable hood made of steel.
Chevrolet Corvette Adds SMC Decklid and Tonneau Cover
The Chevrolet Corvette's entire body has been made almost entirely of SMC
since 1972. Dramatically restyled for the first time in 13 years, the
convertible version adds an SMC decklid and tonneau cover to its repertoire of
components for the '98 model year.
Freightliner HN 177 and H 190 Heavy Trucks Have SMC Hood and Fenders
Freightliner introduced several body panels made from SMC in 1998. In
addition to hoods and fenders on its HN 177 and HN 190 heavy trucks, the HN
177 has an SMC grille and accent bar. SMC aids in aerodynamic styling, lowers
tooling cost and cuts weight from these large components.
SMC Growth for Structures and Drivetrain Applications
SMC has been used for drivetrain components like valve and cam covers, oil
pans, and engine fan shrouds for more than a decade. Among the most
significant drivetrain applications for the '98 model year are fuel tank heat
shields made from SMC. This SMC component is used on over a dozen cars and
trucks in 1998, including the Ford Contour, Windstar and F-250 light truck;
and the Mercury Mystique and Lincoln Navigator, Continental and Jaguar. SMC's
NVH (noise vibration and harshness) properties and heat resistance make it
ideal for this application.
SMC's use for structural applications -- like grille opening
reinforcements, bumper beams, cross-vehicle beams and integrated front end
assemblies -- has also increased dramatically in the past five years. A
first-ever composite windshield frame is used on the l998 Plymouth Prowler. It
consolidates 10 to l4 stamped steel parts into two adhesive-bonded composite
parts that form a structurally loaded assembly with a Class-A finish on both
sides.
The SMC Automotive Alliance, established in 1998 as an activity of the
Society of the Plastics Industry's Composites Institute, is comprised of 26
molders and composite materials suppliers that provide the automotive industry
with SMC exterior panels, interior trim and engine structural components.
SOURCE SMC Automotive Alliance