Weight Reduction Vital to Helping Automakers Meet Proposed Fuel Economy Regulations

The following comment in response to the U.S. DOT’s proposed new fuel economy standards can be attributed to Buddy Stemple, Chair of the Aluminum Association’s Auto and Light Truck Group:

“For automakers to meet the U.S. DOT’s proposed fuel economy standards of a 35 mile-per-gallon average by 2020, powertrain advances alone won’t get the job done and cutting weight must be part of the solution. The status quo in the industry is dead and the days of heavy, standard gasoline-burning vehicles are numbered. Automakers are moving quickly on hybrids, clean diesels, ethanol and even fuel cells — and reducing vehicle weight with high strength, low weight materials like aluminum is vital to making each of those options even more efficient. ‘Smart weighting’ with aluminum is proven to reduce a vehicle’s weight to boost fuel economy and cut emissions, while making it larger for safety and comfort. Consumers win when lighter, safer — and sometimes even larger — cars drive further on a gallon of gas while emitting less from the tailpipe — aluminum makes it possible.”

Additional facts Mr. Stemple can address in interviews:

— Reducing vehicle weight is a safe, proven way to boost fuel economy

and cut tailpipe emissions.

— Leading automakers recently have stated the need to revisit

lightweighting options to improve fuel economy.

— Cutting weight with aluminum can make hybrids and clean diesels even

more efficient while reducing the payback period for consumers.

— A range of new concept cars from Jeep to Mitsubishi feature

all-aluminum frames and body panels

— Studies show aluminum can help pay for itself in terms of efficiencies

gained.

— Automakers and federal regulators agree that using advanced, high

strength, low weight materials like aluminum can save fuel and reduce

emissions without compromising safety.

— “Smart weighting” with aluminum lets automakers reduce weight for

better fuel economy and reduced emissions, while actually making the

car bigger for safety and comfort; Jaguar XJ is an on-the-road example

of smart weighting.

— New alloys and advanced processing technologies make aluminum easier

to use in high volume applications than ever before.

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