Aluminum Transportation Group Applauds EPA, NHTSA and CARB for Completion of Technical Assessment Report Related to 2025 Fuel Economy Standards

DETROIT, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Tom Boney, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG) and vice president and general manager, Automotive Value Stream, Novelis North America on the release yesterday of the draft Technical Assessment Report, issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and California Air Resources Board, examining a wide range of factors relevant to the 2022-2025 light-duty vehicle standards:

"Based upon a preliminary review, we are pleased the Technical Assessment Report recognizes the benefits of reducing vehicle weight by increasing the use of high-strength, lightweight materials like aluminum to boost fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. Mass reduction with automotive aluminum plays a critical role in helping automakers drive forward the next generation of vehicles. As automakers develop mobility solutions to meet the needs of a fast-changing world, the aluminum industry is supporting their efforts by developing advanced alloys that are stronger, more formable and manufactured with sustainability, efficiency and value in mind. We applaud the agencies for their rigor and foresight in building in a Midterm Evaluation of the previously agreed-upon 2022-2025 fuel economy and emissions standards. By revisiting original assumptions and current deployment of available technologies, including advanced materials like aluminum, this comprehensive Technical Assessment Report is a vital component to fact-based decision making. We will continue to evaluate the details of the report and look forward to offering more specific comments as may be appropriate as the process moves ahead."

Background:

Aluminum is Growing: Aluminum use in cars and trucks continues to rise on top of 40 years of consistent growth and that is projected to reach average content levels of 500 pounds per vehicle by 2025 (up from approximately 390 pounds in 2015).

Aluminum is Delivering: The breakthrough aluminum-bodied F-150 proves aluminum can thrive in mass market applications. In the pickup truck category, F-150 leads in safety (5-Stars from NHTSA, over the 4-Star-rated steel-bodied truck it replaced), best-in-class fuel economy for gasoline powered trucks, and continues to be a sales leader.

Aluminum is Innovating: Aluminum companies are partnering with automotive customers to develop holistic technology packages to achieve vehicle design and engineering objectives and deliver a continuous innovation flow to include developing and deploying higher strength alloys and closed-loop recycling technologies that add significant economic value.

Aluminum is Investing: Since 2013, the aluminum industry announced U.S. plant expansions and planned investments totaling more than $2.6 billion to meet increasing automotive customer needs (generating good, domestic manufacturing jobs for the long term). As use of automotive aluminum grows and opportunity continues to expand, the industry is prepared to make the appropriate investments required to meet that growing demand.

For more facts and research visit DriveAluminum.org and follow us on Twitter @DriveAluminum.

About the Aluminum Association

Through its Aluminum Transportation Group, the Aluminum Association communicates the benefits of aluminum in ground transportation applications to help accelerate its penetration through research programs and related outreach activities. The ATG's mission is to serve member companies and act as a central resource for the automotive and commercial vehicle industries on aluminum issues. Members of the ATG include: Alcoa Inc., Aleris, Aluminum Precision Products, Constellium, Hydro, Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Novelis Inc., Pennex, Rio Tinto and Sapa. Visit us online at DriveAluminum.org and follow us on Twitter @DriveAluminum.

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SOURCE Aluminum Association