Sumitomo Electric Strengthens Aluminum Wire Harness

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. has developed a new aluminum wire harness that is twice as strong as the aluminum system it launched in 2010, according to multiple media reports. Aluminum wiring weighs about half as much as traditional copper wire harnesses.

Company officials say the increased strength and improved heat and vibration performance will allow the new wire harnesses to be used in place of copper units in 70% of vehicle applications, including under the hood. The first-generation aluminum system could be used only in about one-third of a car's wiring.

Sumitomo Electric will launch production of the new aluminum wire harnesses later this year in Japan for an unnamed Japan-based carmaker, The Nikkei reports. Production in Thailand is expected to be added in 2017.

The company has tripled its market share over the last 15 years and now accounts for about 25% of vehicle wire harness applications worldwide, The Nikkei says. With the new aluminum technology it aims to surpass market leader Yazaki Corp., which currently has a 30% share.