Spearheaded by the aluminum-heavy Ford F-150 pickup truck, aluminum is poised to dominate this vehicle category by 2025 according to a survey of automakers conducted by market analyst Ducker Worldwide (Troy, MI). By 2025, more than 75% of all new pickup trucks produced in North America are forecast to be aluminum-bodied. The study was commissioned by The Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG).
The study, which reportedly confirms a major breakthrough for automotive aluminum into high-volume vehicles, surveyed all major automakers and reports Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler will become the biggest users of aluminum sheet in the next decade. It also forecasts that the number of vehicles with complete aluminum body structures will reach 18% of North American production, from less than one percent today. Vehicle segments revealed as emerging aluminum content leaders are pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and both mid-sized and full-size sedans.
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| Aluminum is forecast to dominate the hood segment in autos moving forward; it will also make progress in fenders and doors. |
"The numbers tell a powerful story of aluminum's explosive growth across the automotive sector," said Tom Boney, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group and vice president and general manager of automotive for rolled aluminum product supplier Novelis (Atlanta, GA) in North America. "Within the next ten years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, and so too will be more than 20% of SUVs and full-sized sedans."
"Aluminum-bodied cars and trucks are coming in a big way - and soon. Consumers won't visibly notice a different metal under the paint, but they'll see greater savings at the gas pump and experience better performance and handling at the wheel," added Boney.
Additional findings from the "2015 North American Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study" include:
For 2015, pickup trucks will contain the most aluminum at 548.9 lbs. per vehicle, followed closely by E segment sedans at 546.9 lbs., SUVs at 410.3 lbs. and minivans at 396.5 lbs.
The average aluminum content in 2015 will be up 44 pounds per vehicle or 13% over 2012.
Total North American light vehicle aluminum consumption will increase 28% in 2015 over 2012.
Tesla, Mercedes, BMW and Ford will all exceed the average aluminum content and the average aluminum share of curb weight for 2015.
By 2025, 26.6% of all the body and closure parts for light vehicles in North America will be made of aluminum.
Total North American aluminum content in 2025 will be 10 billion pounds.
Aluminum hood penetration will reach 85% and doors will reach 46%; complete bodies will reach 18%, from less than one percent today.
Globally, light vehicle aluminum content will approach 35 billion pounds by 2025 making light vehicles the most important global market for aluminum.
