GM's Campaign Against Aluminum

Seen a few headlines on this. Never bothered to read any of the articles.

Neat commercial though.

Corvette has an aluminum frame. Makes me wonder why Ford didn't use aluminum on the new Mustang.

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

Neat commercial.
But, it starts with two people and then shows several different people in the steel cage.
I think it would be more realistic if they used the two original people.

Sound like GM is grasping at straws instead of building a competitive Truck.

jbarkley wrote:
Sound like GM is grasping at straws instead of building a competitive Truck.

Sort of agree but widespread use of Aluminum has not been proven just yet in the pick up market. GM is just playing on the differences betwen them and the other guys hoping to gain a marketing edge.
If aluminum proves to be a success . I'm sure GM will jump on the band wagon. But for now devise a marketing strategy that implies steel is better and let the other guys be the Guinea pigs

Funny thing is that GM has been using aluminum in some of the rear hatches, hoods and doors already. They even have plans to increase the use of it in future vehicles. The main difference is they plan on trying to spot weld it were Ford is using the bonding method.

Almost all the major truck and transit buses have been using aluminum for a while. Main fire truck builders use aluminum for there bodies and fire ladders. Almost all modular ambulance bodies are aluminum from the framing to the external skins. Also guess none of those GM people have ever flown on a airplane. Made of aluminum.

Heck I guess I have to worry about all the aluminum framed trailer trailers and RV's that we are going to see falling apart on the highways.

I still wonder how aluminum will hold up. Corrosion, accidents etc. If I recall several years ago another industry went aluminum. Wiring in mobile homes. Lots of mobile homes burned down until they got it right. Aluminum won't rust but have you ever seen aluminum skirting on mobile homes in the AZ desert? It just disappears where it comes close to certain soils. Deteriates faster than rusted steel. Like to see the chassis in 5 years. Take a look at some of the first horse trails built with aluminum. Falling apart. A PU gets used off road where these harsh dirts etc. get up underneath. Not like a Corvet driving down highways. Maybe that is GMs plan. Wait and see. I only buy Fords but I'll wait and watch.

Going to look silly by 2018 when they switch over as well.
Aluminum corrosion?
-go to hardware store
-paint section
-look for sandpaper
-read back
aluminum oxide ! imagine that !
ever see iron oxide as a tough material?

LowRyter wrote:
Corvette has an aluminum frame. Makes me wonder why Ford didn't use aluminum on the new Mustang.

I don't know, but I suspect it has something to do with price.
Mustang starts at about 24 grand. Vette starts around 55 grand, well more than double the base mustang price.

To OP.
The ad by GM is genius marketing. Just hope it doesn't turn out like Ram's commercials in ~2012 when they were bragging their trucks didn't need DEF. Then, a few months later the 13's required DEF.

Ram Commercial