Auto Aluminum Creates Environmentally-Friendly, Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Today’s consumers have a number of concerns when choosing an automobile, especially as it relates to the environmental “footprint” it is leaving behind. Automotive aluminum continues to be an environmentally-friendly car material choice because its lightweight quality results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. In addition, auto aluminum can help to increase gas mileage, serving to lessen consumption and reduce operating costs. Automotive aluminum is also highly recyclable, which significantly saves on the emissions associated with primary aluminum production.
Automotive Aluminum Use at Record-Breaking High
As automakers continue to make improvements to their fleets, they are still looking to auto aluminum for its fuel efficiency, automotive safety and vehicle performance benefits. Auto aluminum represents 7.8 percent of vehicle curb weight internationally in today’s family cars, trucks and minivans. Forty years of continued growth is credited to the many cost and fuel efficiency benefits that automotive aluminum offers.
Experience Increased Acceleration and Improved Breaking with Auto Aluminum
Bentley. Jaguar. Audi. All high performance vehicle manufacturers and producing high aluminum content vehicles. Coincidence? Not at all.
All other factors equal, vehicles made lighter with automotive aluminum accelerate quicker and require shorter stopping distances than heavier vehicles. Auto aluminum also delivers improved stability and turning response. Overall, lightweighting with aluminum increases vehicle performance, driving satisfaction and – best of all – maintains or even improves automotive safety and fuel efficiency.
Aluminum Enhances Automotive Safety
Automakers and policymakers alike understand that size, not weight, is a better determinant of vehicle safety. Automotive aluminum can make a vehicle safer by extending crush space for crash protection, while also reducing weight to boost fuel economy. The automotive safety benefits also extend to the other driver in an accident because aluminum-intensive vehicles carry less mass and deliver less crash energy.
Interested in more than just automotive aluminum?
Learn more about weight-saving strategies to meet the challenges facing the trucking industry. Join us for a FREE webinar on Tuesday, December 8 from 1:30-3 p.m. EST when experts will discuss the benefits of lightweighting with aluminum in commercial vehicle applications. Register today!
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Auto Aluminum News 
- Greenlings: How does weight affect a vehicle’s efficiency? Oct. 29, 2009
- Aluminum Use in Electric Vehicles will Reduce High Cost of Battery Power for Plug-Ins and Hybrids, New Study Confirms Oct. 20, 2009
- Lighter cars, more efficiency, aluminum makers say Oct. 20, 2009
- High Strength, Low Weight Materials Critical to Future of Commercial Vehicle Industry, Aluminum Association Tells SAE Conference Oct. 6, 2009