Aluminum-Intensive Cars Dominate North American Auto Show in 2018

The augmented use of aluminum in the automotive industry is becoming more accepted and we have been following this trend closely. An increasing number of automakers are opting for this lightweight metal for their models. Just recently, we published an article that highlighted the benefits of using lightweight materials when building automobiles.

As manufacturers of a secondary A356.2 substitute, we are pleased to report that vehicles designed from aluminum, a lightweight metal, dominated the 2018 North American Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Lincoln all aluminum-bodied 2018 Navigator was dubbed North American Truck of the year. As well, the Honda 2018 Accord with aluminum chassis won the award for North American car of the year. As per Aluminum Association statistics, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator’s all-aluminum body dropped the car’s weight by 200 pounds. The 2018 Honda Accord, on the other hand, dropped 110 lbs. and now stands at 176 lbs., depending on the trim.

Both awards were given out at the North American Car Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY), which were announced on January 15, 2018. This is the second year in a row that an aluminum-intensive vehicle received such impressive rewards, signifying an agreement among automakers that lighter vehicles are the better choice for driving.

Multitudes of automakers, besides Honda and Lincoln, have also chosen aluminum as the material of choice for their 2018 vehicles. For instance, the 2018 Ford Expedition boasts a new aluminum body that dropped the weight of the vehicle by 300 lbs. and achieves the best fuel economy in its class with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. The 2018 Kia Niro’s tailgates, assorted suspension components and brake motors are also made from aluminum, which helped boost the vehicle’s fuel economy to 52 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. Another stunner is the 2018 Lexus LC500 that features an aluminum hood, shock towers, and outer doors; a first for Lexus.

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2018 Lexus LC500 (NACTOY Car of the Year semi-finalist) Image via www.lexus.ca

For more info on which cars dominated the auto show with its aluminum make click here.

Does It Make Sense to Make Vehicles out of Aluminum?

One of the best ways to make vehicles more energy efficient is to make them lighter. Aluminum is frequently used to do that because it can be as sturdy as or sturdier than traditional metal while weighing a lot less. Initially, aluminum was mostly found in luxury vehicles and models, like the Audi A8, but recently more of it has started to appear in mass-market automakers, such as Ford, Honda, Lincoln, and Kia.

Aluminum is one of the most recyclable metals in the world, and recycling aluminum uses approximately 90% less energy than making primary from bauxite ore. Over the last five years there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of recycled aluminum used in automotive vehicles. As the use of aluminum in the automotive industry increases, so will the demand for an A356.2 recycled product. This trend will likely continue and will bring down the costs of vehicle purchasing for the consumer. Read on to learn more about the benefits of recycling aluminum.

Discover Eccomelt Quality – Lightweight Foundry Alloy Substitute – Secondary A356.2

Eccomelt is a division of House of Metals Co. Ltd., founded in 1953 and has achieved recognition as being one of Canada’s best-known aluminum processors.
Alongside Alcan R&D, we have developed an eco-friendly substitute for A356.2 from aluminum wheels. Our product is the material of choice for many consumers because it is chemically pure and environmentally-friendly. Its shredded form has achieved higher melting rates than Ingot, Sow or T-Bar. Environmental testing has also proven the process eliminates all coatings.
As manufacturers of a secondary A356.2 substitute, we have firsthand experience with the benefits of recycled aluminum, in terms of quality, reliability, performance, and economy. Eccomelt356.2 is an economical recycled A356.2 substitute. We are committed to working with automakers in order to make vehicles more affordable and environmentally friendly by helping them source quality and affordable materials.

Our customer support specialists would be delighted to speak to you about your aluminum alloy needs. For more information about our products, please visit our about us page. Alternatively, please contact us at (888) 356-9557 for more information on our Eccomelt356.2 product.