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One of the more interesting things about the big auto shows is how companies check out the competition. Few markets are as competitive as pickup trucks and with Ford's introduction of the 2015 F-150, 700 pounds lighter than the outgoing truck because of the use of aluminum for many body panels, the other companies were bound to take notice.
Bob Lee, who is in charge of powertrains for the Chrysler Group, called the new Ford truck "an interesting step in this evolution" toward the 2025 CAFE rules. With the high take rate on the V6 Ecoboost engine and the new lighter F-150, Ford's pickup trucks may be "CAFE neutral" or even "CAFE positive", meaning they won't need some sort of high mileage vehicle in the lineup to offset pickup trucks' usual relatively poor gas mileage when calculating corporate average fuel economy. Lee acknowledged that right now Ford's use of the lightweight alloy is a major advance, "I think when we look back, in retrospect, this will be a very noticeable step," but he also cited Ram's introduction of the V6 EcoDiesel in their fullsize pickups. "But by the time we get to 2025, I think you're going to see a lot of these things all coming together."
At the GMC Canyon reveal, GM global product chief Mark Reuss was asked if he was afraid of the new development in the most important vehicle segment to the domestic automakers. "Am I scared? That's a different word," he said while acknowledging "concern". He pointed out that the recently introduced Silverado/Sierra trucks weigh 200 lbs less than the ones they replaced, without needing to use aluminum and that if consumers want even lighter trucks they have the option of GM's new midsize pickups, the Canyon and Chevy Colorado, which weigh about half a ton less than full size pickups.
Should consumer demand and fuel economy drive a move to aluminum Reuss said, "We know how to join aluminum really well." The new C7 Corvette has a frame that is made entirely of aluminum hydroformings, castings and extrusions, joined together with a variety of methods. GM has also developed what they claim is a proprietary aluminum spot welding method that eliminates the need for rivets, which saves time and additional weight.
from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA
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