Lightweighting Vehicles Using Aluminum Delivers Impressive Fuel Economy Gains for...

Lightweighting Vehicles Using Aluminum Delivers Impressive Fuel Economy Gains
for Less Cost When Combined With Advanced Powertrains, New Study Confirms

Consumers could save fuel and money while reducing carbon emissions through
greater use of low weight aluminum in hybrid- and diesel-powered vehicles,
according to a new study released by The Aluminum Association, Inc.

It is well known that diesel and hybrid powertrains provide better fuel
economy, but at an increased cost to the consumer. In addition, at equivalent
vehicle performance levels compared to a gasoline engine, the advanced
powertrains have a payback period of several years. The study titled, "Benefit
Analysis: Use of Aluminum Structures in Conjunction with Alternative
Powertrain Technologies in Automobiles," specifically demonstrates that by
reducing the weight of the vehicle, the power requirements can be
correspondingly reduced, leading to a more affordable powertrain and vehicle,
with a shorter payback period.

"With sky-high fuel costs expected over the long term and intense consumer
pressure demanding long-term solutions, the time has come to rethink the
basics of vehicle design," said Steve Larkin, president of the Aluminum
Association. "Aluminum builds a better car, and this study demonstrates that
high-strength, low-weight aluminum offers safe and affordable alternatives for
the next generation of vehicles, compared to the heavier, less-efficient
vehicles on the road today. If automakers opt to reduce the weight of vehicles
with next-generation hybrids and diesels through greater use of aluminum,
consumers will be 'paid back' faster at the gas pump compared to the payback
time associated with the added costs of today's heavier hybrids and diesels."

The study, conducted for the aluminum industry by IBIS Associates, was
released during a panel discussion with the Washington Automotive Press
Association. The study analyzed the impact of vehicle mass reduction on the
cost and power requirements of modern diesel and hybrid powertrains.

"Our study revealed impressive fuel economy gains of 46 percent in
diesel-powered vehicles and 51 percent in hybrid-powered vehicles complemented
by aluminum structures when compared to existing gasoline-powered vehicles,"
Larkin added. "While the aluminum-bodied hybrids' upfront costs would be more
than the aluminum-bodied diesels, they offer significant potential for fuel
economy gains and related consumer payback at the pump."

Generally, all new fuel-saving technologies come with an added cost. An
aluminum vehicle platform on its own costs more than a current platform.
However, by reducing the horsepower and torque requirements of the new
powertrain and hence cost, the overall costs almost balance out. The increased
cost of the aluminum platform is almost balanced out by the decreased cost of
the powertrain and other components. For example, a smaller fuel tank is
required for the same driving range. The fuel savings gained offsets the
additional cost of the platform and powertrain within one to four years.

Thanks to aluminum, automakers today can make cars lighter while maintaining
or even increasing the size of the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda, and others have
publicly stated that a vehicle's size, not its weight, is the better
determinant of safety. Case in point is the Jaguar XJ. Jaguar designers
upgraded the original, heavier steel model to one with a high-strength,
low-weight aluminum platform and body panels. The resulting car is longer,
taller and wider, but is a full 400 pounds lighter. Lighter cars save fuel
and reduce global-warming emissions. The lighter Jaguar gained an additional
four miles per gallon and earned a top insurance rating. Additionally, the
all-aluminum Audi A8 has received a five-star crash test rating in federal
safety tests.

The use of automotive aluminum continues to expand after more than three
decades of uninterrupted growth, with an estimated average of 327 pounds of
aluminum in North American vehicles in 2007. From engines and hoods, to wheels
and bumpers, aluminum can be found across all vehicle segments, including
family sedans and SUVs, with more than 80 different models on the road today
containing 400 pounds or more of aluminum.

According to U.S. Advanced Materials Partnership (USAMP), over the life cycle
of a vehicle, nearly 70 percent of its environmental impact occurs during the
use phase. The increased application of aluminum can considerably reduce the
mass -- and therefore the emissions - of the vehicle, providing a significant
cumulative benefit. In fact, every pound of lightweight aluminum replacing 2
pounds of heavy steel saves the planet more than 20 pounds of CO2 over the
life cycle of a vehicle. Additionally, more than 90 percent of automotive
aluminum is recovered and recycled, providing ongoing sustainability benefits
through energy reduction and solid waste disposal.

"In terms of fuel economy, hybrids and diesels are proven to be superior to
the conventional gasoline engines on the road today," said Larkin. "The next
logical evolution in auto design should be to match powertrain advances with
improvements in vehicle structures by reducing their weight. Moving to lighter
vehicles with materials such as aluminum will help save consumers money at the
pump, help save fuel overall and even help save the planet through reduced
emissions."

The complete study is available online at www.autoaluminum.org.

About The Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group
The Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group (ALTG) communicates the
benefits of automotive aluminum to help accelerate its penetration through
research programs and related outreach activities. Its mission is to serve
member companies and act as a central resource for the automotive industry on
aluminum issues. Member companies include: Alcoa Inc., Novelis Inc., Alcan
Inc, Aleris International Inc., Aluminum Precision Products Inc., Indalex
Aluminum Solutions, and Kaiser Aluminum Corporation.

About IBIS Associates
IBIS Associates is an engineering consulting firm that helps
technology-focused organizations understand the competitive position of
materials, processes, and products. A spin-off from MIT's Materials
Processing Center in 1987, IBIS has worked in a wide range of industries, with
emphasis on automotive and electronics, assisting clients in their
understanding of how alternative manufacturing and materials system
technologies compete on the basis of cost and market conditions.

CONTACT: Dan Reid, +1-248-824-8200, dreid@stratacomm.net, for The Aluminum
Association, Inc.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- June 19/

SOURCE The Aluminum Association, Inc.