Alcoa Wins Contract from Hyundai to Supply Cast Aluminum Component Using Leading Edge Vacuum Riser-less and Pressure Riser-less Technology for 2007 Santa Fe Vehicle.

PITTSBURGH -- Alcoa announced today that Hyundai Motor Manufacturing America (HMMA) will use an Alcoa cast aluminum rear upper control arm for the Korean automakers all-new 2007 Santa Fe crossover vehicle. The 2007 Santa Fe made its North American debut recently during the 2006 North American International Auto Show. It is the first Alcoa component to be used by Hyundai Automotive. The Santa Fe combines the best attributes of an SUV with the driving character of a mid-size sedan.

"Alcoa Automotive Castings is excited about the use of our products on a Hyundai key structural component and looks forward to strengthening our relationship in the future," said Misha Riveros-Jacobson, President, Alcoa Advanced Transportation Systems and Alcoa Automotive Castings. "This component is produced using Alcoa's Vacuum Riser-less and Pressure Riser-less (VRC/PRC) permanent mold castings process. VRC/PRC permanent mold casting is a superior technology that produces high quality structural castings."

The VRC/PRC process produces higher mechanical properties compared to conventional permanent mold processes. The improved mechanical properties allow for lighter designs (yielding at least a 40% mass reduction when compared with a fabricated steel design) and improved performance. VRC/PRC can also manufacture hollow designs creating thin-walled castings, which allows an additional 30% reduction compared to solid aluminum designs. Alcoa received casting of the year on the hollow design in 2004 from the American Foundry Society. Aluminum components improve vehicle ride and handling by reducing un-sprung mass.

The 2007 Santa Fe will be built at HMMA's new plant in Montgomery, Alabama. Production is schedule to begin in the second quarter of 2006, with vehicles arriving in dealerships during the summer.

About Alcoa Automotive Castings

Alcoa Automotive Castings (AAC) is headquartered at the Alcoa Automotive Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, with design offices in Frickenhausen, Germany, Alcoa Center, Pa., as well as at the Automotive Center. It has production facilities in Fruitport, Michigan, where ACC will produce the Hyundai control arm, as well as in Farsund, Norway. AAC is the premier manufacturer of components for the suspension and chassis markets and produces sub-frames, cradles, knuckles, brackets and control arms. Alcoa castings are found on numerous automobiles, light trucks and other products worldwide, including products for Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Jaguar, Toyota, BMW and Volvo.

About Alcoa

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 42 countries and has been named one of the top three most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com