Enthusiasm wanes for aluminum cars.(Cover Story)

Automotive News Europe,  January, 2003  

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Byline: Wim Oude Weernink Automotive News Europe

Aluminum construction may not spread as far from luxury cars to mass-market vehicles as first expected.

Plans for widespread use of aluminum bodies are giving way to selected aluminum panels and steel-aluminum hybrid structures. For example, Audi decided to build its next-generation A6 from steel even after designing the aluminum-bodied A2 and A8. BMW's new 5 series will be a hybrid structure: aluminum; front, steel rear.

The expected benefits of aluminum - lighter vehicles that pollute less and burn less fuel - have been ...

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