Study Finds Seven Out of 10 New Pickup Trucks Produced in North America Will be Aluminum-Bodied by 2025

DETROIT, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- By 2025, more than 75 percent of all new pickup trucks produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a survey of automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide. The study, which confirms a major breakthrough for automotive aluminum into high-volume vehicles, surveyed all major automakers and reports Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler will become the biggest users of aluminum sheet in the next decade. It also forecasts that the number of vehicles with complete aluminum body structures will reach 18 percent of North American production, from less than one percent today. Vehicle segments revealed as emerging aluminum content leaders are pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and both mid-sized and full-size sedans.  

The study finds that every leading automaker will have numerous aluminum body and closure programs by 2025. As the material mix for body and closure parts continues to change dramatically in the years to come, use of aluminum sheet for vehicle bodies will increase to 4 billion pounds by 2025, from 200 million pounds in 2012.

"The numbers tell a powerful story of aluminum's explosive growth across the automotive sector," said Tom Boney, chairman of the Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group and vice president and general manager of automotive for Novelis in North America. "Within the next ten years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, and so too will be more than 20 percent of SUVs and full–sized sedans."

The Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG) commissioned global consulting and research firm Ducker Worldwide to conduct the "2015 North American Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study." Through detailed in-person interviews with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), component suppliers and regulators, Ducker Worldwide maintains a comprehensive material use database to track material and mass of individual components for every vehicle model manufactured in North America. The findings of the "2015 North American Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study" were compiled using data updated and verified between October 2013 and April 2014.

"Aluminum-bodied cars and trucks are coming in a big way – and soon. Consumers won't visibly notice a different metal under the paint, but they'll see greater savings at the gas pump and experience better performance and handling at the wheel," added Boney.

Additional findings from the "2015 North American Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study" include:

• For 2015, pickup trucks will contain the most aluminum at 548.9 lbs. per vehicle, followed closely by E segment sedans at 546.9 lbs., SUVs at 410.3 lbs. and minivans at 396.5 lbs.
• The average aluminum content in 2015 will be up 44 pounds per vehicle or 13% over 2012.
• Total North American light vehicle aluminum consumption will increase 28% in 2015 over 2012.
• Tesla, Mercedes, BMW and Ford will all exceed the average aluminum content and the average aluminum share of curb weight for 2015.
• By 2025, 26.6% of all the body and closure parts for light vehicles in North America will be made of aluminum.
• Total North American aluminum content in 2025 will be 10 billion pounds.
• Aluminum hood penetration will reach 85% and doors will reach 46%; complete bodies will reach 18%, from less than one percent today.
• Globally, light vehicle aluminum content will approach 35 billion pounds by 2025 making light vehicles the most important global market for aluminum.

Visit www.drivealuminum.org for the full Ducker study, a supporting infographic, as well as other facts and research. Please also follow us on Twitter: @DriveAluminum.

About Ducker Worldwide
Ducker Worldwide, a premier consulting and research firm, is driven to help its clients achieve their most ambitious growth goals. Custom market intelligence, strategic consulting and financial advisory services are delivered by fully-engaged Ducker principals and a diverse team of global talent. With exclusive access to industry leaders and opportunities, Ducker applies robust analytics and critical thinking to every engagement, delivering unique, fact-based solutions for our clients – solutions which produce confident decisions to advance growth. Ducker is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with offices around the world, including Paris, Berlin, London, Bangalore and Shanghai. Founded by William H. Ducker in 1961; Ducker celebrates over 52 years in business.

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., Novelis Inc., Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Sapa Group, Rio Tinto Alcan, Aluminum Precision Products Inc., Hydro, Aleris and Pennex Aluminum. Visit us online at DriveAluminum.org, and follow us on Twitter @DriveAluminum.

SOURCE Aluminum Association