Report Claims Increased Aluminum Use in Vehicles

The Aluminum Association released a report that indicated automakers are using more aluminum in automobile body panels and other vehicle components.

According to Richard Klimisch, vice president of the association, "This report details how high strength, yet low weight aluminum technologies are making tremendous gains in automotive applications. That's great news for consumers, since aluminum can boost the environmental, safety and driving performance of their cars and trucks."

Ducker Research Co., on behalf of the Aluminum Association, conducted the survey, titled, 2002 North American Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study.

The report forecasts materials used for all passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and minivans expected to be manufactured in North America this year. According to the report, this year's average aluminum content for passenger cars and light trucks combined is 274 pounds, a 23-pound increase in the estimated amount automobiles had in 1999. For light trucks, the aluminum usage, on average, increased by 22 pounds to 279 pounds per vehicle.

Much of the growth in aluminum’s use can be attributed to large increases in aluminum engine blocks (38.8 percent in 2002, up from 22.5 percent in 1999) and cylinder heads (85.8 percent in 2002, up from 69.4 percent in 1999). 

The study also concludes that aluminum content in North American cars and light trucks is expected to continue growing at its current rate well into the foreseeable future. This study is consistent with related aluminum industry research that shows total auto industry usage of aluminum (as measured in tons procured) more than doubled for cars and even tripled for SUVs, pickups and minivans over the past decade.

Several facts were highlighted in the report:

• Highly recyclable aluminum can make cars and trucks lighter, requiring less fuel for travel and producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The most fuel-efficient car in the U.S. -- the 70-mpg Honda Insight -- is all-aluminum.
• Cars made lighter with aluminum can have improved acceleration, braking and handling. Many of the world's top performance vehicles -- like the Ferrari 360 Modena -- are all-aluminum.
• Pound for pound, aluminum can be up to two-and-a-half times stronger than steel and can absorb twice as much crash energy. The Audi A8 -- which earned a perfect five star government crash test rating -- is all-aluminum.