More than 60 steel intensive vehicles have debuted at major automotive shows across the country in 2017. These vehicles represent every major vehicle segment and size, including the high-demand SUV and CUV market.
“With so many new steel intensive vehicle debuts across key vehicle segments, it truly reinforces how advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) is driving innovation across the industry and helping automakers reach their lightweighting targets,” said Jody Hall, vice president of the automotive market for the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI). “There are more than 200 grades of innovative AHSS available to automakers today. This allows engineers to apply the right grade in the right location for exceptional occupant protection, durability and crash energy management.”
Over the past 4 years, the amount of AHSS used each year in automotive applications has been 10 percent higher than forecast, according to a study conducted by Ducker Worldwide. AHSS continues its growth trajectory with approximately 254 pounds per vehicle in 2014, surpassing estimates by more than 20 pounds per vehicle.
Notable vehicle debuts from 2017:
2018 Chevrolet Traverse – It is 300 pounds lighter through use of high-strength steels.
2018 Honda Odyssey – A-, B- and C-pillars, roof rails, floor rails, front body area, and front subframe are composed of high-strength steel.
2018 Toyota Camry – High-strength steel-intensive.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas – Built on the MQB chassis architecture, the body is made of stamped steel and the chassis boasts a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel.
2017 Buick Lacrosse – Composed of 26 percent high-strength low-alloy steel, 23 percent mild steel, 16 percent ultrahigh-strength steel, 15 percent advanced high-strength steel, 9 percent bake-hardenable steel and 8 percent press-hardened steel.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica – Body structure is composed of 72 percent high-strength steel.
2018 Genesis G90 – Body is comprised of fully galvanized steel panels.
2017 Nissan Titan – The body-on-frame and chassis are composed of corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel.
2019 Infiniti QX50 – Use of super high-formability (SHF) 980 Megapascal (MPa) high-tensile steel enhances safety and driving performance, while offering a 23 percent improvement in rigidity.
2018 Jeep Wrangler – B-pillars, quarter panel, sport bar are comprised of steel. The frame is also steel and made of higher-strength steels than previous generations.
2018 Kia Stinger – Composed of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel.
2019 Subaru Ascent – Built on the Subaru Global Platform using extensive use of high-strength steel improves fuel economy and crash protection.
Published in the February 2018 Edition