Learning All About Auto Body Restoration

Learning All About Auto Body Restoration

The New Auto Weight Loss Program: What You Should Know About Vehicles Made From Aluminum

Cody Wade

If you plan on purchasing a pickup truck in the next 10 years, chances are good that all or part of that truck's body will be constructed of aluminum. As many as 75% of trucks will be made of aluminum by 2025 according to one study.

Why are  automakers switching from steel to aluminum?

Rising federal fuel efficiency standards are motivating vehicle manufacturers to find ways to improve gas mileage without sacrificing vehicle power or durability. Automakers are required to achieve fleet wide averages of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Some design engineers have developed electric cars and hybrids to address fuel economy. Other automakers have chosen to focus on lowering the weight of vehicles. That's where the aluminum helps.

Using aluminum for body components cuts vehicle weight significantly. In the first substantially aluminum pickup truck produced, the formerly steel-bodied vehicle dropped 700 pounds of weight merely by using aluminum in its manufacture.

Aluminum use involves huge changes for automakers.

Converting auto plants to accommodate aluminum manufacture requires vast retooling and retraining of employees. Workers who are familiar with the properties and assembly processes of steel panels must be retrained. Rather than using spot welders to join panels, they'll be assembling vehicles with rivet guns, no-spark welders and glue machines.

Finding supplies of aluminum could become an issue, but fortunately aluminum is nearly 100% recyclable. Plants will return scrap aluminum to be recycled and reused, which is a sustainable practice that helps ensure a supply of raw materials.

What are the pros and cons for drivers?

The new aluminum made trucks should be able to haul heavier load because of their reduced weight. Drivers will have increased fuel mileage with the lighter vehicles.

Body panels made of aluminum won't rust as steel does, so cars and trucks will be on the road longer. The vehicles will be valuable as scrap when they have served their time.

On the negative side, some worry that the vehicles themselves will become attractive to thieves. There is also the massive retraining of auto body repair professionals involved, so that they become proficient in repairing aluminum body damage.

Repairs will become more expensive. Not only is aluminum pricier than steel, but auto body shops will have to invest tens of thousands of dollars to upgrade their body shops.

As with any innovation, using aluminum for vehicle bodies is an interesting development. Automakers will have a learning curve as they discover which processes and techniques work best. Auto repair shops will have the same challenges as more aluminum cars hit the road.  


Share

2017© Learning All About Auto Body Restoration
About Me
Learning All About Auto Body Restoration

Hi guys, the name is Phyllis. I'm here to teach you all there is to know about auto body repair. I grew up watching my dad strip down cars and restore them to new with beautiful coats of paint. Between coats, I loved to see how the sanding process removed imperfections and readied the surface for more paint. I grew to love the hobby enough to try it out for myself. My journey started with bicycle frames. The frames easily hung from the ceiling to make sanding and painting a breeze. Eventually, I took my sander and sprayer to the finish of my old car to restore its beauty. You can learn about the auto body repair and restoration process by visiting my site each week. I'll share information about traditional and modern techniques, tools and parts you can use to improve the finish on any vehicle. Thanks for visiting!

Archive
Tags