We are in a multi-material world where no single material dominates the automobile. Aluminum is the rising material of choice, offering the fastest, safest, most environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way to boost fuel economy and cut total carbon emissions. Reducing vehicle weight—without reducing vehicle size—will be vital as automakers develop next generation cars and trucks.
Aluminum is Growing
Aluminum use in cars and trucks continues to rise on top of 40 years of consistent growth and that is projected to reach average content levels of 500 pounds per vehicle by 2025 (up from approximately 390 pounds in 2015).
Aluminum is Delivering
As automakers respond to global demands for higher fuel economy, better performance and reduced emissions (full life cycle), without compromising size or capability, manufacturers more and more rely on aluminum to deliver on all fronts.
Aluminum is Innovating
Aluminum companies are partnering with automotive customers to develop holistic technology packages to achieve vehicle design and engineering objectives and deliver a continuous innovation flow to include developing and deploying higher strength alloys and closed-loop recycling technologies that add significant economic value.
Aluminum is Investing
Since 2013, the aluminum industry announced U.S. plant expansions and planned investments totaling more than $2.2 billion to meet increasing automotive customer needs (generating good, domestic manufacturing jobs for the long term). As need arises, aluminum companies will invest even more.
Since 2013, Aluminum Association member companies have announced U.S. plant expansion investment totaling more than $2.6 billion and creating nearly 1,000 permanent and temporary jobs:
- In November 2015, Kobe Steel, Ltd. announced that it’s U.S. joint venture, Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products (KAAP), will invest $56.6 million to expand its North American production facility, creating more than 100 jobs.
- In October 2015, Tri-Arrows Aluminum, in conjunction with Logan Aluminum, announced it will invest $240 million in the Logan facility in Russellville, KY to increase capacity to meet automotive demand, adding nearly 200 jobs.
- In October 2014, Constellium announced a planned investment of $750 million by 2022 to create more than half-a-billion pounds of new auto sheet capacity.
- In September 2014, Aleris announced a $350 million expansion of its aluminum rolling mill in Lewisport, Kentucky.
- Constellium and Tri-Arrows Aluminum (a subsidiary of UACJ) announced a joint venture in July 2014 to build a new, $150 million plant in Bowling Green, KY, creating 80 full-time positions.
- In January 2014, Alcoa completed a $300 million expansion of its Davenport, IA facility, which is creating 150 new full-time jobs and an additional 150 jobs during the construction phase. In November of 2014, Alcoa announced an additional $190 million investment at the same facility to expand its product offerings in the aerospace and industrial markets. In addition, Alcoa completed a $300 million expansion of its facility in Alcoa, TN in the fall of 2015 which will create 200 new full-time jobs.
Aluminum Builds a Better Vehicle
Here are all the reasons why.
Aluminum Builds a Better Vehicle
Safety
Every aluminum-bodied vehicle crash tested by federal regulators earned a 5-star safety rating.
Durability
The U.S. military trusts high-strength aluminum in the Humvee and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
