Alcoa Auto Wheels at North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show continues to be a premier Global automotive event each year. For 2009, many auto manufacturers brought new production and concept vehicles to Detroit and Alcoa Auto Wheels was proud to play a part. As auto manufacturers continue to seek solutions to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, forged aluminum wheels can help to reduce un-sprung weight thus improving driving efficiency while increasing performance. Auto manufacturers continue to recognize how forged aluminum wheels from Alcoa can contribute to their efficiency efforts.

Here are some examples of how Alcoa Auto Wheels works with leading manufacturers for new production and concept vehicles:

Chevrolet Volt Production Vehicle
GM displayed the production version of the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid, due in 2010. The Alcoa Auto Wheels team worked closely with GM through several iterations of wheel design to develop an optimized forged aluminum wheel that meets weight targets for increased driving efficiency.

Chrysler 200C Concept Vehicle
Chrysler debuted several production vehicles while also unveiling new concept vehicles equipped with alternative power systems for fuel economy. Production vehicles included the Challenger SRT8, Viper SRT10 and Dodge Ram fitted with Alcoa forged aluminum wheels. Chrysler also unveiled the 200C, a concept electric vehicle.

Alcoa Auto Wheels worked closely with the 200C platform team to deliver a polished split-spoke wheel design to complement the overall design of the concept luxury sedan while also reducing un-sprung weight by using an optimized forged aluminum wheel to extend driving range.

Chrysler Town & Country Concept Vehicle
An electric powered concept version of the Town & Country was fitted with 20” Alcoa forged aluminum wheels with Dura-Bright® technology. The lightweight wheel design is ideal for an electric vehicle and Dura-Bright® technology will allow families to enjoy the easy to clean benefits of this innovative wheel surface treatment.

Dodge Ram R/T Concept Vehicle
Dodge showed off an aggressive interpretation of their Ram R/T truck fitted with custom 22” forged aluminum wheels. The dynamic design of the wheel coupled with a two-tone look really sets this concept vehicle apart.


Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Production Vehicle
McLaren brought the limited production Stirling Moss version of the SLR to Detroit. Based on the SLR, the Stirling Moss edition increases the visual and performance impact of the production vehicle.

Alcoa Auto Wheels worked closely with McLaren to deliver a wheel that fits the sporting nature of this special SLR. Forged aluminum 19” wheels with a polished finish are lightweight for increased performance and manufactured with an open spoke design to increase air flow to cool the performance braking system behind each wheel.

Mercedes-AMG SL65 Black Series
The street legal, yet built for the track AMG SL65 Black Series, turned a lot of heads in Detroit.

The AMG Performance Studio looked to Alcoa Auto Wheels for lightweight forged aluminum wheels that provide aggressive design for increased performance while dissipating heat from the performance brake system hiding behind the 19” front/20” rear wheels.

Autocar Professional Article Features Alcoa Auto Wheels
Autocar Professional, a magazine dedicated to the automotive industry, with comprehensive coverage including vehicle and component manufacturers, recently published an article featuring Alcoa Auto Wheels. The article highlights how lightweight forged aluminum wheels are helping auto manufacturers reach CO2 reduction and fuel economy goals. The feature also covers the easy to clean benefits of Dura-Bright® technology.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:
The benefits of forged wheels are attracting growing interest in Europe, the most recent contract announced being for the one million Euro Lamborghini Reventón. Alcoa Wheel Products believes European OEMs are increasingly considering forged wheels to lower weight, increase performance or improve aesthetics. It is in this latter area that Alcoa Wheel Products is to announce further programmes with its Dura-Bright® technology.

Follow the link below or see the January issue for the full article.
http://autocarpro.in/contents/productsDetails.aspx?ProductID=41

Car and Driver Radio Discusses Dura-Bright® Technology
Broadcast on Satellite Radio and over 100 local radio stations nationwide, Car and Driver Radio reaches 600,000 car enthusiasts each week with targeted information on what’s new in the automobile industry. Host Alan Taylor and the team took a moment during the February 1st broadcast to chat about Dura-Bright® technology for aftermarket full size truck applications.

Click here to listen to the three minute segment.

Alcoa Automotive Corner
Modern Metals Covers Benefits of Aluminum in Vehicle Construction
Modern Metals, the magazine for metal service centers, OEMs and fabricators, recently published an article highlighting the expertise that Alcoa Transportation Structures has in utilizing aluminum components for vehicle manufacturing. In particular, the article highlights how the company uses aluminum spaceframe technology to reduce vehicle weight and increase performance for Ferrari.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“Typically, when you produce something out of aluminum, if it’s given the same design and the same production parameters, you’re going to have something that’s lighter weight,” he says. “If we can develop a spaceframe that’s optimized for weight, then we’re going to increase the performance of the vehicle. It’s also going to handle better, and it’s going to lower CO2 emissions and increase fuel economy or lower fuel usage.”

Follow the link below for the full article.
http://www.modernmetals.com/common/ArticleSearchDetail.asp?CurrentPage=7316

Alcoa in the News
Alcoa Again Named One of the World's Most Sustainable Corporations at Davos
Alcoa recently announced that it was named as one of the most sustainable corporations in the world in the fifth annual Global 100 ranking of the top role models in sustainable business practices, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Alcoa has attained the sustainability ranking every year since the Global 100 was launched in 2005. Alcoa is the only U.S. based company named to the list from the Materials sector.

Alcoa continues to be on the leading edge of sustainable practices. Alcoa is a proponent of legislation to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and recently joined with fellow members of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) in launching a climate protection initiative, called the Blueprint for Legislative Action, which includes policy recommendations on confronting climate change and supports a U.S. cap-and-trade program. The company is a founding member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which is seeking mandatory climate change legislation, and is a founding reporter of the Climate Registry. In addition, Alcoa invests in new technologies, such as the groundbreaking carbon capture technology, which delivers significant greenhouse benefits by locking up CO2 that is otherwise released into the atmosphere. In 2007, Alcoa opened its first smelter in 20 years in Iceland powered by sustainable hydropower, and is currently evaluating geothermal as a power source for aluminum smelting.

Alcoa Continues Leadership Position in International Ethical Reputation Ranking
Alcoa recently announced that it has achieved the top ranking in the Basic Resource category of the 2008 Covalence Ethical Ranking, a methodology that gauges the reputation of international companies. Alcoa was also chosen as one of the top ten ethical companies across all industries and companies. It has been ranked first in the metals and mining industry and in the top ten among all companies since the ranking began in 2005.

Covalence is a Geneva-based NGO that closely monitors 18 sectors comprising 541 companies that are included in the Dow Jones Sector Titans stock index. Its methodology has become the barometer of how multinationals are perceived in the ethical field. Data is classified according to 45 criteria such as labor standards, waste management, product social utility or human rights policy. This year, Covalence increased the number of sectors and companies it monitors to 18 sectors from 10 and 541 companies from 300 companies previously.

“Our values guide our behavior at every level across Alcoa worldwide. We are proud of the continued recognition of Alcoa as a company respected for our strong character and principles,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa President and CEO.

Aluminum Pricing

LME Summary
Ask prices as of 18-Feb-2009 12:40:46 (Eastern US)
	LME ($/MT)	Chg vs Prior Close	MW US ($/LB)
Cash	1,312	+7.75	0.6376
3 Mth	1,348	+8.00	0.6564
Avg 2009	1,381	+8.00	0.6742
Avg 2010	1,513	+10.83	0.7462
LME Warehouse Stocks (MT)		3,088,075	up 139,700