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Aluminum Association Salutes Ford's Fuel Economy Announcement Today

27 July 2000

Industry Pledges to Work Together With Ford to Help Meet Goal

        
    DETROIT - Statement by Dr. Richard Klimisch, Vice-President, Aluminum 
Association:

    The aluminum industry congratulates the Ford Motor Company on its bold
fuel economy announcement, made today in Washington, D.C.  "Ford's pledge of a
25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the next five years signals a
growing role for lightweight materials such as aluminum."  The aluminum
industry is committed to continuing its work with Ford and other automakers to
provide their customers with even cleaner, safer cars for the future.  Over
the last decade, the use of automotive aluminum has doubled across the board,
and tripled in the fast-growing light truck category.

    As a high-performance metal, aluminum allows automakers to maintain the
size, strength and safety of vehicles while reducing weight and improving fuel
economy.  Many of today's advanced technology vehicles are built on aluminum
structures and many of the world's high-performance cars, such as the Audi A8,
Ferrari 360 Modena, Acura NSX, Chrysler Prowler, GM EV1, Honda Insight and
Lincoln LS, make extensive use of aluminum.

    "The aluminum industry, through the Auto Aluminum Alliance, has been
working with car manufacturers in North America and around the world to
develop innovative solutions for the next generation of cars and trucks.  It's
no wonder that it is the fastest growing automotive material."