OREANDA-NEWS. On March 17, 2007. As per results of a recent study by the Institut fur Kraftfahrwesen Aachen (IKA) carried out in collaboration with EAA (European Aluminum Association). An aluminum concept for the front portion of a C-Class car decreases weight and outshines the structural performance. Apart from benefits in driving performance, there're considerable emission savings over the lifetime of the vehicle. The study examines the application of aluminum for the structural component of the front portion of a technologically advanced C-Class automobile. Numerical simulation shows that the weight reduction potential of the vehicle is 35% considering the accurate design space constraints of the reference automobile. Extending the design space to the maximum limit with respect to the key package components of the reference automobile shows a weight reduction potential of around 41%, with a considerable rise in stiffness and better energy absorption in case of an accident.


Also, keeping the power-to-weight ratio of the car constant, such reductions in weight also make it possible to downsize other components resulting in secondary weight savings.
The study reported that the introduction of an aluminum front portion in five million C-Class vehicles (cars) and weight reduction as per the Progressive approach alongwith secondary weight savings will cut down the CO2 emission by 2.2 Million Tons over the lifespan of the cars. This is equivalent to saving approx 770 Million Liter of fuel. Another study by European Aluminum Association in cooperation with Knibb, Gormezano & Partners (KGP) reports that European cars are getting heavier. The cars used to weigh 50 Kg in 1990 and become 132 Kg in 2005. The cars are expected to grow heavier by another 25 Kg by the end of this decade. In 2005, new passenger cars utilized 2 Million Tons of aluminum components. The attained weight savings will result in the fuel savings of one billion liter annually and will save about 40 Million Tons of CO2 emissions over the lifespan of the cars.  According to a recent report by RNCOS, "European Aluminum Market (2007)", Aluminum's practicality as a low-price, and high-performance structural material has lead to deep penetration in sectors such as automobile, commercial and military aircraft, and beverage can's sector. The research report also discusses the areas like trends in European aluminum market with respect to market value, production, consumption, capacity etc.