Aluminum to Replace Traditional Automotive Materials in 2009

The credit crunch and the current economic situation of the automotive market changed the industry a lot, with people becoming more interested in hybrids, electric and low fuel-consumption cars. In order to create more advanced fuel-efficient models, automakers around the world turn to all kinds of gas-saving technologies, including the use of aluminum which can be basically inserted in almost every single components, such as wheels and engines.

A new study by Ducker Worldwide and commissioned by The Aluminum Association unveils that automotive aluminum use is expected to an all-time high in 2009, as more and more car manufacturers aim to reduce the curb weight of their models.

In North America for instance, the use of aluminum is already at an all-time high, with an average of 8.6 percent of vehicle curb weight in 2009 calendar year vehicles, up from just 2 percent in 1970 and 5.1 percent in 1990.

Globally, the use of aluminum for light vehicles is 7.8 percent of the average worldwide light vehicle curb weight of 3,185 pounds in 2009, with a projected growth of four to five pounds per vehicle per year.

"The data demonstrates that automakers in North America and around the globe continue to recognize the value of automotive aluminum," said Buddy Stemple, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group. "As automakers seek to innovate and differentiate themselves with more fuel efficient cars and trucks with a reduced carbon footprint, the time to use advanced materials like aluminum is now - and this study shows that automakers agree."

Honda and BMW are the companies that use the most aluminum with an average of 340 pounds per vehicle. General Motors, Honda, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai and Volkswagen all increased their percentage of North American vehicles from 2006 to 2009, the study unveiled.