|
|
Article: High-volume cars test aluminum ; Aluminum cars are lighter and use less fuel, but they cost a lot. Can aluminum find mass-market acceptance?
- Article from:
- Automotive News Europe
- Article date:
- December 31, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Crain Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The number of aluminum structural components and modules on mid-range models will increase over the next five years.
But no high-volume, mid-range model with an all-aluminum body is likely to arrive on the market in the near future.
"Aluminum components and modules for structural areas such as sub-frames and longitudinal beams and rails will start to appear on high-volume cars," said Wolfgang Guth, executive vice president, product and process development, for Norwegian aluminum supplier Hydro Automotive Structures.
Fiat, Volkswagen and PSA, in particular, are moving toward aluminum-intensive structures, said Jean-Louis Mazodier, director of the ...