Mexican Media Brands
China Poised for Aluminum-Body Cars?
China's demand for sheet aluminum to make car bodies could surge to 1.8 million tons by 2015 from almost zero today if the country can develop sufficient technical expertise, says Beijing-based CCID Consulting Co.
#aluminum
Share
China's demand for sheet aluminum to make car bodies could surge to 1.8 million tons by 2015 from almost zero today if the country can develop sufficient technical expertise, says Beijing-based CCID Consulting Co. Ltd.
The firm notes that demand for greater fuel economy is pushing interest in lightweight materials. It points out that an aluminum passenger car body weighs 46% less than the same shell produced in steel.
But CCID says domestic producers have been reluctant to consider aluminum because of the cost of developing the necessary skills in shaping, bonding and painting. The firm describes the aluminum alloy sheet stock currently available in China as thick, expensive and inadequate to meet automotive performance standards.
CCID predicts China's vehicle market will expand an average 8.1% annually over the next three years, reaching 25.3 million units by 2015. It says stable sales growth for the country's auto industry will help drive interest in aluminum-body vehicles.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Aluminum Sheet for EV Battery Enclosure
As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) is about to increase almost exponentially, aluminum supplier Novelis is preparing to provide customers with protective solutions
-
Increasing Use of Structural Adhesives in Automotive
Can you glue a car together? Frank Billotto of DuPont Transportation & Industrial discusses the major role structural adhesives can play in vehicle assembly.
-
Light Rider
When you think of the forthcoming LA Auto Show and Los Angeles in general, you may think of (1) very expensive, very large vehicles being piloted by very egotistical stars and (2) very jammed freeways full of the aforementioned, as well as numerous other vehicles of a less ostentatious variety.