GM's Campaign Against Aluminum

thomasmnile wrote:
I drove a number of aluminum body fire apparatus. Emergency One of Ocala, Florida introduced them to the market in the mid 1970's. In the beginning, I recall issues with paint adhesion to the body panels, corrosion issues with fasteners where the body panels attached to the steel truck chassis, and cracking of the hose body section of the truck. Over time all have must have been addressed since E1 is still in business and sells a lot of fire apparatus. My former department has been purchasing them for over 30 years now and they hold up well.

Think GM is just trying to stop the bleeding in their half ton market share since all the auto media I read says Ford can't build F-150's fast enough to meet demand.............

You may want to catch up on current events. Market share is increasing and they are currently putting the wood to Ford in sales.

You can take this for what you paid for it, but my salesman at my dealership keeps me supplied with the latest Ford market info and he says Ford is in deep with aluminum. They have a complete facility from Bauxite to finished product and they have jerked the supply rug out from under several other producers.

link

"If Iam a GM engineer Iam saying to the marketing people you know we are working on a alloy body too right?"

Here's another funny video. Chevy is definitely on the attack campaign like it was against Fords "Man Step" and RAM "Heated Steering Wheel" before the bail out days which were hilarious too. A few years later GM introduces a "Step on the Bumper" and a "Heated Steering Wheel".

Link

Bionic Man wrote:
The body shops need to do something to reduce the repair time, but I am sure that will come as more manufactures turn to aluminum.

That's called a "Learning Curve".

I understand it from a marketing stand point.

But I expect that a few years from now all the manufactures will be looking at different materials to reduce the weight of their vehicles to meet more stringent CAFE standards.

Personally, I think Ford is ahead of the game on this one.

The one that gives me pause is where they compare repair costs and repair time with the same accident. The body shops need to do something to reduce the repair time, but I am sure that will come as more manufactures turn to aluminum.

I work for Alcoa and big wig types from GM and FCA have been on our plant site numerous times over the past few months.

Supply isn't there to support another truck platform and couldn't be for 2-3 more years. I assume they're evaluating what to do for their next truck model change or cars.

coolmom42 wrote:
This is a very informative article from Car & Driver Magazine:

F-150 aluminum

There are a lot of different types of aluminum alloys, and Ford has used different types for different components in the F-150.

The ladder frame, anti-intrusion pillars, and tailgate base are still steel.

Too bad GM got out of the HDT market as it's major non North American competition is doing very well in the HDT truck business

Me Again wrote:

larry barnhart wrote:
Who makes a Titan truck? new name for me.

chevman

I thought you were the "chevman"???

never heard of or maybe even looked at that truck. It would seem to be hard on the body sitting over the tires. The other post explained it so I thank him. Someday I will know everything.

chevman

TomHaycraft wrote:
I saw that. Gave me the impression that GM doesn't have plans to use aluminum (in the same way) any time soon!

I wouldn't bet on it. GM has a history of highlighting their competitions technology in advertisements only to follow suit later.