The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) awarded its Automotive Excellence Award to General Motors, Magna and Shape Corp. for their innovative application of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) in the GMC Hummer Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The award was presented at the 22nd annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) symposium at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.
General Motors design release engineer Stephen Dissler, Jr., General Motors staff design release engineer James Veal, Jr., Magna Department manager William Perry and Shape Corp. product development leader David Seiter received the award for their 2023 GDIS presentation titled “GMC Hummer EV SUV Body Structure.”
The GMC Hummer SUV has an innovative steel-intensive body structure architecture with a well-integrated rechargeable energy storage system. It leverages a wide range of steel grades from mild to ultra-high strength steels to guarantee occupant safety, ensure battery system integrity and achieve excellent off-road capability while providing an open-air roof design. The body-in-white is comprised of 37 percent high-strength steel and 26 percent ultra-high-strength steel, seven percent AHSS, along with press hardened steel and mild steel.
The GMC vehicle design team used a variety of joining technologies such as traditional spot welding, metal inert gas welding, remote and tactile laser welding, and extensive adhesive applications to meet structural performance targets guaranteed to enable a safe and excellent vehicle driving experience. The team demonstrated the power of collaboration which included early planning, development and process design among the automaker and its supplier partners.