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| December 19, 2008
GM Selects Alcoa Forged Aluminum Wheels for Chevy Volt
Lightweight Wheel Improves Electric Vehicle Driving Range and Economy
CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation
Products, announced today that it has been awarded the wheel program for
the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle.
“Alcoa is pleased to supply forged aluminum wheels for the Volt. Working
closely with the GM team resulted in a wheel designed, engineered and
manufactured for light weight performance that will further extend the
range of this alternative propulsion vehicle,” said Mike Parnell, Vice
President and General Manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels.
General Motors has targeted the Chevy Volt to deliver up to 40 miles of
gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving with the extended-range
capability of hundreds of additional miles. Removing unnecessary weight
from the vehicle platform was a major goal of the program.
"The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... just
the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to
today's and tomorrow's energy and environmental challenges,” stated Rick
Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO, during the GMnext Centennial Broadcast
held on September 16, 2008.
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) focused on design, engineering and production techniques
to increase strength and durability while lowering the overall weight of
the wheel. Forged aluminum wheels by Alcoa provide increased strength
and durability gains and are typically greater than 20 percent lighter
while doubling strength as compared to a similar cast aluminum wheel.
Lightweight wheels not only have a linear effect on reducing emissions
and fuel consumption but can further improve driving performance and
efficiency from a lower rotary inertia. As the energy used to accelerate
and decelerate the wheel is reduced, less mass is required in adjacent,
un-sprung components such as brakes, steering and suspension. Lowering
overall un-sprung weight compounds the benefits of fuel economy and
reduces emissions.
General Motors unveiled the production version of the Volt during their
recent 100th anniversary celebration in Detroit. Volt
production is expected in late 2010.
“Alcoa provides the benefits of lightweight forged aluminum wheel
programs for many global manufacturers and is honored to be working
closely with GM on the Volt. Optimizing wheel weight enhances vehicle
performance increasing driving range and economy while lowering
emissions,” concluded Parnell.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland,
Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets
with products used in a range of applications including cast and forged
aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast
products, niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels
and M-Series™ medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other
aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three
divisions: Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and
Automotive Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined through its active
and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa
serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction,
commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design,
engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to
customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including
flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also
markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment
castings, structures and building systems. The Company has 97,000
employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most
sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
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