Lightweight Wheels Help Vehicle Deliver Hybrid-Like Fuel Efficiency
CLEVELAND–Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation
Products, announced today that it has been awarded the wheel program for
the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The lightweight wheels help the vehicle to
achieve outstanding fuel efficiency. Chevrolet recently announced a
segment-leading estimated 40 mpg on the highway for the Cruze Eco when
equipped with a manual six-speed transmission.
“Alcoa is pleased to supply forged aluminum wheels for Cruze Eco.
Closely following the launch of our Volt wheel program, the Chevrolet
team pursued a wheel providing light weight performance that would
further extend fuel economy for this latest vehicle,” said Victor
Marquez, Vice President and General Manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels.
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) focused on design, engineering and production techniques
to lower the overall weight of the wheel. Forged aluminum wheels by
Alcoa provide increased strength and durability gains and are typically
greater than 20 percent lighter than a comparable cast aluminum wheel.
The seventeen-inch wheels fitted to Cruze Eco weigh just 17.8 lbs.
Light weight forged aluminum wheels not only have a mass reduction
effect that reduces emissions and fuel consumption but also further
improves driving performance and efficiency by reducing unsprung weight.
Less rotational inertia is required to accelerate and decelerate the
wheels. Additionally, less mass in the wheel allows for mass reduction
in adjacent, unsprung components such as brakes, steering and
suspension. Forged wheels offering light weight benefits are the
catalyst for a paradigm shift in mass reduction and continued
improvement in fuel economy and emissions.
“Alcoa is honored to be working closely with Chevrolet to continue to
provide light weight wheel solutions that benefit the consumer, the
economy and the environment. If we can also enhance the driving
performance, then it’s a success on all fronts,” concluded Marquez.
The application is the latest of a growing number of Global OEMs
converting to forged aluminum wheels from Alcoa. Wheels for the 2011
Cruze Eco are forged at Alcoa’s Cleveland, Ohio (US) Works Plant. For
more information on Alcoa forged aluminum wheels, visit www.strongwheels.com.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland,
Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets
with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum
wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products,
niche products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels and
M-Series™ medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum
components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions:
Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive
Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active
and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa
serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction,
commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design,
engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa’s businesses to
customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including
flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also
markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment
castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the
top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. More information can
be found at www.alcoa.com.