Novelis is supplying high strength, military grade aluminum for the upcoming Ford F-Series Super Duty lineup of trucks, the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever.
Following the launch of the 2015 Ford F-150, the aluminum-intensive F-Series Super Duty trucks also feature Novelis aluminum alloys in the body and bed, reducing overall vehicle weight by up to 350 lbs. This weight reduction enables the use of tougher underbody components such as an all-new, fully boxed high-strength frame, stronger axles and springs, larger brakes and driveline parts for superior performance. The truck series will represent the second highest volume aluminum application in automotive to date, surpassed only by the F-150, which saved up to 700 lbs. of weight for increased capability, performance and efficiency.
Novelis will produce the aluminum sheet for the F-Series Super Duty trucks at its plant in Oswego, New York. The plant is in the process of commissioning its third automotive sheet finishing line, which has been contracted to support production of the Super Duty and will begin shipping product in spring 2016.
Novelis forecasts the global demand for aluminum automotive sheet will continue to grow and that automotive aluminum will represent approximately 25 percent of Novelis’ total shipments when all 5 of its new global automotive lines are fully utilized. Since 2011, Novelis has invested more than $550 million globally to triple its automotive sheet capacity. Demand for aluminum is rapidly increasing as automakers strive to design a new generation of lighter, higher-performing vehicles with improved fuel economy and reduced life-cycle emissions.
Published in the February 2016 Edition of American Recycler News
