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I agree with you entirely. Ford has made an investment in the aluminum process of over $1 Billion so far. They have done extensive research and understand the lifecycle and durability of the aluminum versus the steel in all types of environment. They already have plans in place to recover much of that $1B investment through more lucrative salvage and reclamation contracts with Alcoa and other suppliers.
The typo is amusing though. Picture Ford testing the aluminum in the men's room...
Planes are aluminum, as are many yachts! Both of those vehicles go through a hell of a lot more stress then any wheeled vehicle will. Aluminum will hold up just fine.
Aluminum panels have been utilized on vehicles, both foreign and domestic, for quite a while now. The F150 isn't the only one.
Some are saying parts need to be replaced? Well, my dad backed into the door of my truck (Ram, so not aluminum). The estimate at several different shops was close to the same whether they would pull/fill the dent or whether I opted for a new door skin. So what difference would it have been if it was aluminum and I needed a new skin? Body shops replace panels all the time. Have done so for years. If you have a totally crumpled up fender on your older steel F150, do you really think they are going to try and pull it and fill it? You'd get a new fender!
Night and day. Ever handle aircraft quality aluminum? Be nice if cars were built to the same standards. Hint. They are not. Remember "crash resistance of a Japanese lantern" ?
Night and day. Ever handle aircraft quality aluminum? Be nice if cars were built to the same standards. Hint. They are not. Remember "crash resistance of a Japanese lantern" ?
I'm guessing aircraft aluminum is a lot lighter and thinner than Ford truck aluminum? I can't imagine there is an concern about collision repairs with a plane.
Don't know if aluminum is better, do know it does not rust away like steel.
I guess if you're attacked by a bear it's better to be in a steel truck.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PDD
I'm guessing aircraft aluminum is a lot lighter and thinner than Ford truck aluminum? I can't imagine there is an concern about collision repairs with a plane.
Don't know if aluminum is better, do know it does not rust away like steel.
I guess if you're attacked by a bear it's better to be in a steel truck.
Remember that silly commercial when in a few years Chevy and GMC trucks are also made of aluminum.
Makes sense and GM can take advantage of lessons learned at Ford. There are a ton of advantages with steel: Toughness, Ease and cost of repair, Paint adhesion, etc. When you factor weight in there Al goes way up in the advantage column.
I'm guessing aircraft aluminum is a lot lighter and thinner than Ford truck aluminum? I can't imagine there is an concern about collision repairs with a plane.
Don't know if aluminum is better, do know it does not rust away like steel.
I guess if you're attacked by a bear it's better to be in a steel truck.
Just an FYI, bear cages are typically made out of aluminum.
Very hard to do any bodywork. That it will be lighter that will be for sure. And more expensive. But buddy owns body shop and worked on 3 Teslas, that are a lot of aluminum. He says it's parts replacement only, you can not do any usual bodywork on that metal.
I don't mean to offend anyone but working on aluminum is not that much more difficult than steel for shops experienced and trained enough to do it. Sounds like to me your buddy is not well-versed in aluminum repair.
Most heavy duty truck cabs these days are made primarily of aluminum (Freightliner, etc) and these trucks are repaired all the time. I deal with it every day - no issue there. Aluminum is great as it saves weight, can be made to be just as strong as steel, and it won't corrode in the salt.
Makes sense and GM can take advantage of lessons learned at Ford. There are a ton of advantages with steel: Toughness, Ease and cost of repair, Paint adhesion, etc. When you factor weight in there Al goes way up in the advantage column.
GM has never been rewarded for being first to market: Corvair, Aztek, Etc.
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Aircraft Aluminum
