Alcan Partners With Ford to Support a New Generation of Vehicles.Business Editors/Automotive Writers &Columnists NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos are available in a Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com DETROIT--(AutomotiveWire)--Jan. 10, 2000 Alcan Global Automotive Products' aluminum engineering - &uot;alumineering&uot; - solutions have assisted Ford in the creation of a fuel-efficient, family-sized concept car that achieves more than 70 miles per gallon Noun 1. miles per gallon - the distance traveled in a vehicle powered by one gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel unit, unit of measurement - any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange; "the dollar is the United States unit of . The Prodigy, an aluminum-structured hybrid electric vehicle A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle which combines a conventional propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle without being hampered by range from a charging unit like an , was previewed to journalists today at the North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. International Auto Show. In designing this innovative sedan, Ford aimed for safety, strength, stiffness, durability and positive ride and handling - with minimum weight. Ford's choice of Alcan's unibody technology resulted in a vehicle structure weighing just 310 pounds - a 50 percent weight savings. This, in turn, enabled secondary weight savings such as smaller and lighter suspension components. With a curb weight of 2,387 pounds, the Prodigy is about 1,000 pounds lighter than today's typical sedan, without compromising on passenger comfort and space or on luggage capacity. &uot;The Prodigy takes excellent advantage of Alcan's automotive aluminum solutions - what we call `alumineering',&uot; said Donald W. Macmillan, president of Alcan Global Automotive Products. &uot;The lightweight platform uses Alcan's patented technology for aluminum unibody structures, and is enclosed by aluminum body panels constructed of proprietary Alcan sheet alloys. The car also features an aluminum-intensive engine, and other major powertrain and suspension components of aluminum.&uot; In addition, the Prodigy uses front rotors and rear brake drums made of Alcan's patented DURALCAN(R) aluminum metal-matrix composite, a light-weight performance material that enhances brake performance, extends component life and virtually eliminates rotor/drum corrosion issues. &uot;The Prodigy goes a long way toward meeting our goal of an extremely fuel-efficient family car,&uot; says Neil Ressler, Ford's vice-president, Research and Vehicle Technology and chief technical officer. &uot;The vehicle's light-weight structure developed in collaboration with Alcan - is a key factor in helping us achieve our vision for extremely fuel-efficient vehicles with mass appeal.&uot; Prodigy is the latest generation of aluminum-intensive prototypes developed by Ford as part of the automaker's initiative in the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles was a cooperative research program between the U.S. government and major auto corporations, aimed at establishing U.S. leadership in the development of extremely fuel-efficient (up to 80 mpg) vehicles while retaining the features (PNGV PNGV Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles PNGV Partnership for New Generation of Vehicles ) program. PNGV is a collaboration between automakers, the federal government and others aimed at producing a prototype family car that can achieve up to 80 mpg without compromising passenger needs. &uot;The Prodigy's high-performance aluminum platform is the result of a decade of aluminum research by Ford,&uot; said Macmillan, &uot;with Alcan participating at every step. This is a real partnership for progress between Alcan and Ford.&uot; Alcan Global Automotive Products is an affiliate of Alcan Aluminium Limited (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange , TSE See Tokyo Stock Exchange. TSE 1. See Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). 2. See Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE). : AL), one of the world's most international aluminum companies and a leading producer of both primary metal and fabricated aluminum products. Alcan is currently in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of a proposed three-way merger with Pechiney (NYSE, PARIS Paris, in Greek mythology Paris or Alexander, in Greek mythology, son of Priam and Hecuba and brother of Hector. Because it was prophesied that he would cause the destruction of Troy, Paris was abandoned on Mt. : PY) and algroup (SWX SWX Swiss Exchange (trademark of SWX Swiss Exchange) SWX SolidWorks (3D solid modeling CAD software) SWX Splitter / Wave Division Multiplexer : ALUN), to create one of the world's largest aluminum companies. In the automotive industry, the fastest growing aluminum market, the company will be a leader in serving customers in both North America and Europe. |
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