Steel and aluminum will continue to compete for market share in the next decade, but mixed materials are becoming increasingly more common as light-weight vehicles begin to dominate.
The emerging pattern has more aluminum added with each model changeover over a 10-15 year period until all closures are aluminum and at least 50 percent of the body is aluminum. This is a much different timing pattern than Ford exhibited on the F-150.
Steel, magnesium, CFRP and polycarbonate additions are critical. Aluminum BIW and closure parts, however, are the key to achieving both regulatory and OEM goals for vehicle improvements over the next 10 to 15 years.
To read the full Automotive Engineering article about the impact of aluminum on vehicle efficiency in 2020 and beyond, please click here and refer to page 28.
DuckerFrontier’s Automotive team is at the forefront of key trends impacting the industry. We are the premier provider of market, customer and competitive insights to Fortune 1000 industrial organizations. Thus, our goal is to help clients deliver growth solutions to support critical business decisions and growth strategies. How can we help you deliver better outcomes for your business? Contact us here to connect with a team member.