Volkswagen Group placed an order for aluminum extrusions from ST Extruded Products Group (STEP-G) in Germany — representing the largest single order in the company’s history. “With this major order and the corresponding investment volume, STEP-G realizes the largest project in the company’s history,” said Michael Zint, Managing Director of STEP-G. “This challenge is an extra ordinary opportunity for […]
By Lynn Brown, Contributing Editor. In order for automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers to develop aluminum applications for cars and trucks, they need to understand the capabilities of existing designs, whether sheet, extrusions, or castings, etc. Analyzing the use of aluminum in existing production vehicles to see how they compare is one way for a […]
On February 5th, Constellium announced that it is supplying BMW with aluminum structural components for the new X model sports activity vehicles, X4 and X5. The aluminum parts will be supplied from Constellium’s White, Georgia plant, which opened in 2017 to serve automakers in the Southeast U.S. Constellium has been a partner of BMW Group […]
The 2020 Toyota Supra A90 — the first edition of the sports car in 21 years —will hit the streets in 2019 with a mixed-material body design involving a number of aluminum parts. The A90 is the fifth generation of Supra, and its rear wheel drive design provides a low center of gravity and 50:50 weight […]
Curtiss Motorcycles is accepting reservations for two models of its new all-electric Zeus motorcycle. Both Zeus motorcycle models, named the Bobber and Cafe, feature carved aluminum billet and carbon fiber construction and can be ordered in raw or anodized black finishes. “We are working with our proprietary technology now, so our hands have been untied […]
Jeep presented its new mid-size pickup truck, the 2020 Gladiator, at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show 2018. The Gladiator incorporates aluminum throughout its design along with a steel underframe. The hood, hinges, fenders, windshield frame, and tailgate are made of aluminum, helping to curtail weight while boosting fuel economy. The versatile truck boasts best-in-class […]
Jaguar recently introduced its first all-electric vehicle, the I-PACE. The vehicle features a strong and stiff lightweight aluminum construction to reduce weight and increase battery range up to 470 km while delivering superior driving dynamics and safety. Novelis Inc. is a major supplier of aluminum sheet for the body and battery frame of the vehicle. While at […]
The automotive industry relies on the stamping process for rapid production of deep drawn sheet components for its mass-market vehicles. However, as automakers develop increasingly advanced components, aluminum sheet is challenged compared to steel due to its lower formability. The superplastic forming process is a potential solution as it provides the ability to produce deep […]
