Released on = March 15, 2007, 3:29 am

Press Release Author = Shushmul Maheshwari

Industry = Industrial

Press Release Summary = With swelling fuel prices and vehicle weights, application
of lightweight materials in automobile engineering is a very talked about strategy
for enhancing automobile economy.

Press Release Body = As per results of a recent study by the Institut fur
Kraftfahrwesen Aachen (IKA) carried out in collaboration with EAA (European Aluminum
Association). An aluminum concept for the front portion of a C-Class car decreases
weight and outshines the structural performance. Apart from benefits in driving
performance, there're considerable emission savings over the lifetime of the
vehicle. The study examines the application of aluminum for the structural component
of the front portion of a technologically advanced C-Class automobile.

Numerical simulation shows that the weight reduction potential of the vehicle is 35%
considering the accurate design space constraints of the reference automobile.
Extending the design space to the maximum limit with respect to the key package
components of the reference automobile shows a weight reduction potential of around
41%, with a considerable rise in stiffness and better energy absorption in case of
an accident.

Also, keeping the power-to-weight ratio of the car constant, such reductions in
weight also make it possible to downsize other components resulting in secondary
weight savings.

The study reported that the introduction of an aluminum front portion in five
million C-Class vehicles (cars) and weight reduction as per the Progressive approach
alongwith secondary weight savings will cut down the CO2 emission by 2.2 Million
Tons over the lifespan of the cars. This is equivalent to saving approx 770 Million
Liter of fuel.

Another study by European Aluminum Association in cooperation with Knibb, Gormezano
& Partners (KGP) reports that European cars are getting heavier. The cars used to
weigh 50 Kg in 1990 and become 132 Kg in 2005. The cars are expected to grow heavier
by another 25 Kg by the end of this decade. In 2005, new passenger cars utilized 2
Million Tons of aluminum components. The attained weight savings will result in the
fuel savings of one billion liter annually and will save about 40 Million Tons of
CO2 emissions over the lifespan of the cars.

According to a recent report by RNCOS, "European Aluminum Market (2007)", Aluminum's
practicality as a low-price, and high-performance structural material has lead to
deep penetration in sectors such as automobile, commercial and military aircraft,
and beverage can's sector.

The research report also discusses the areas like trends in European aluminum market
with respect to market value, production, consumption, capacity etc.

About RNCOS:

RNCOS, incorporated in the year 2002, is an industry research firm. It has a team of
industry experts who analyze data collected from credible sources. They provide
industry insights and analysis that helps corporations to take timely and accurate
business decision in today\'s globally competitive environment.

For more information visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM090.htm
Current Industry News: http://www.rncos.com/blog


Web Site = http://www.rncos.com

Contact Details = RNCOS
Shushmul Maheshwari
Head of Business Development
29, 1st Floor, Patparganj Industrial Area, Delhi 92
91-11-4214-1229
info@rncos.com