Lightweighting

By Colin Windell

There is new buzzword in the light commercial and SUV market. Known as ‘lightweighting’ it is a design emphasis on reducing the vehicle mass to increase its maximum payload, towing capacity and to improve overall fuel economy.

Mostly driven by the American market, the results were starkly evident at this year’s North American Motor Show in Detroit.

The 2019 Ram 1500 pickup debuted by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is 102 kilograms lighter than the model it replaces. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado introduced by General Motors is 204 kilograms lighter than the previous generation. The redesigned 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class shed 170 kilograms.

Much of the lightweigthing comes from increased use of aluminium in the body of the vehicle with components such as the hood and tailgate made from the metal, while the frame is made from high-strength steel

By 2020, the average vehicle on the market will have an estimated 211 kg of aluminum, according to some analysts and the average new pickup truck will contain 249 kg of aluminum.

“Automakers can afford to invest in advanced materials for light trucks because those vehicles generate higher profit margins than cars,” says Jody Hall, vice president of the automotive market for the Steel Market Development Institute.

The redesigned 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a symbol of rugged toughness. It has permanent all-wheel drive and three locking differentials for maximum capability. Yet the latest version of the luxury off-road SUV uses aluminum instead of steel in areas prone to scratching or dents. The hood, doors and fenders are now aluminum.