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Magna Touts All-Plastic Liftgate Program
Magna International Inc. is producing an all-thermoplastic liftgate for the 2014 Nissan Rogue crossover vehicle, the first such component made in North America.
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Magna International Inc. is producing an all-thermoplastic liftgate for the 2014 Nissan Rogue crossover vehicle, the first such component made in North America.
The completed assembly, which weighs 30% less than one made with stamped steel, was honored in November by the Society of Plastics Engineers as 2013's most innovative use of plastic in the auto industry.
Magna debuted its technology in Europe in 2001 to make thermoplastic liftgates for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class minicar.
Magna molds the liftgate at its plant in Carrollton, Ga. The factory also paints the component, equips it with support structure and such features as a rear window wiper assembly and fully trims it inside and out. Completed assemblies are then shipped on a just-in-time basis to Nissan Motor Co.'s assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
Magna says the liftgate is the first painted outer panel made from thermoplastic olefin.
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