Ford F-150 Sparks Aluminum Demand Spike
Ford may be one of the first automakers to use aluminum on the majority of one of its mainstream models, but it surely won’t be the last.
Ford’s willingness to use the lightweight material on its best-selling F-150 pickup has caused the rest of the automotive industry to take a closer look at automotive-grade aluminum, in hopes that it too can help put their vehicles on a diet. Novelis, the world’s largest supplier of aluminum sheets for the auto industry, is seeing a huge increase in demand.
“There isn’t an automotive manufacturer that makes vehicles in North America that we’re not talking to,” Novelis head of north american business Tom Boney said.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Ford F-150 Sheds 700 Lbs., Gains New 2.7L Engine
Ford has locked up much of the supply of the aluminum used on automotive vehicles for its 2015 F-150 and aluminum manufacturers, such as Novelis, are looking to add capacity. The material is already the number-two material used in automobiles, but with now with aluminum-bodied vehicles on the horizon, usage and demand is expected to increase at a record pace.
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[Source: Detroit News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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