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Race for high-strength, lighter weight vehicles advances GM's aluminum research

GasBuddy Blog -- As the government pushes the automobile industry to develop greater fuel-efficiency in marches toward the 54 mpg CAFE mandate, competition increases among high-strength steel, carbon and aluminum to overcome the obstacles of physics.

The New York Times says more efficient engines and electric powertrains can’t carry the whole load, so carmakers and the federal government are pouring resources into “lightweighting” auto platforms to meet the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards.

Right now, advances in aluminum are at the forefront. GM recently annpunced that it has invented an industry-first aluminum welding technology that it expects to enable more use of the lightweight aluminum on future vehicles.

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Submitted Jan 19, 2013 By: PD

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Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,635 Points:2,078,315 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 10:24:58 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Is aluminum better than space-age plastic?
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:6,988 Points:1,108,420 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 3:04:49 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Give buyers an option of three engines per model.....1) best gas mileage; 2) more power but still goo mileage; 3) More power
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:6,988 Points:1,108,420 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 3:02:36 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Sad how many people seem to hate cars getting good gas mileage....
garywa01 Sophomore Author Alberta Posts:130 Points:377,565 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 8:03:27 AM Ignore garywa01 Report Abuse interesting
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2013 4:51:14 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse otherdave: ROFL. Good one!
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,378 Points:1,266,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2013 9:39:29 AM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse If this story hangs around much longer I'm going to claim it as a dependent.
ciimike Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,638 Points:1,061,310 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2013 9:17:41 AM Ignore ciimike Report Abuse Make the vehicle too light, and you might lose the maneuverability of the vehicle.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 22, 2013 4:59:52 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we know that engines are capable of getting well above 50 mpg even with current settings. Let's not put sand into people's eyes.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 11:32:52 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Really dated news.
wang91554 Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,150 Points:1,197,805 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 9:53:38 PM Ignore wang91554 Report Abuse lighter and lighter, stronger and stronger
mycar2 Champion Author Akron Posts:2,090 Points:2,354,115 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:56:24 PM Ignore mycar2 Report Abuse keep them safe
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,430 Points:714,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:36:16 PM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse good.
Paw5X Champion Author Gary Posts:9,888 Points:2,264,505 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:18:55 PM Ignore Paw5X Report Abuse ain't that nice!
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,656 Points:865,370 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:15:48 PM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse ok.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,789 Points:1,840,525 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:10:47 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse COMMON MAN. THis story is so old it is considered an antique.
trekmanKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,085 Points:356,285 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:10:04 PM Ignore trekmanKY Report Abuse Oh no! Not this again!
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:988 Points:210,005 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:07:14 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse I vote safety first fuel economy next.
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:7,236 Points:1,616,335 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:06:36 PM Ignore srchr Report Abuse gov't motors at work - make cars more expensive my dad used to rant when he was forced to pay for seat belts when he bought a new car
NO_SWEAT Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,330 Points:1,076,390 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:05:17 PM Ignore NO_SWEAT Report Abuse Vintage post.
tarheelcoastie Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,181 Points:1,108,230 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:02:55 PM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse Better late than never for GM!
camaro_man Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,216 Points:608,100 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:00:52 PM Ignore camaro_man Report Abuse gm still rocks,,,but old news
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,562 Points:597,295 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:00:38 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse Old news.
Hybrid923 Sophomore Author Ottawa Posts:198 Points:142,160 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 5:00:33 PM Ignore Hybrid923 Report Abuse ok
ou812again Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,299 Points:666,135 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:53:59 PM Ignore ou812again Report Abuse Old news!
unloquacious Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,673 Points:1,036,740 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:44:21 PM Ignore unloquacious Report Abuse Ditto... Yawn.
hallows Champion Author St. Louis Posts:4,678 Points:2,800,620 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:42:54 PM Ignore hallows Report Abuse Old news!
Liberty2000 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,739 Points:280,520 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:42:16 PM Ignore Liberty2000 Report Abuse Bring back dirigibles.
FortVancouver01 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,160 Points:284,495 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:41:15 PM Ignore FortVancouver01 Report Abuse They need to take advantage of the new space age materials.
Buickdriver7 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:972 Points:728,110 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:40:45 PM Ignore Buickdriver7 Report Abuse Aluminum is a bad idea!
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:7,193 Points:1,487,965 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:40:37 PM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse A way to make nobama health plan work. More old people will die in car crashes.
Rt118E Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:9,470 Points:1,365,245 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:39:12 PM Ignore Rt118E Report Abuse This is the future now
1COR1533 Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,676 Points:312,260 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:34:17 PM Ignore 1COR1533 Report Abuse make sure the frames are strong
scubadaniel Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,406 Points:688,545 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:30:17 PM Ignore scubadaniel Report Abuse Ever try to crush an aluminium block with your foot?
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,559 Points:1,695,415 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:30:02 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse OLD ARTICLE!
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:6,518 Points:1,789,785 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:29:44 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse try other ways
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:11,813 Points:2,766,050 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:28:24 PM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse 3rd day
bowler360 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,955 Points:496,525 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:25:01 PM Ignore bowler360 Report Abuse This one's from Saturday.
no8c Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,794 Points:702,150 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:24:23 PM Ignore no8c Report Abuse Thanks for posting this article!
Taurus1 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,115 Points:1,670,700 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:23:48 PM Ignore Taurus1 Report Abuse Both positives and negatives for driving.
Bhmf4 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,014 Points:1,231,320 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:16:22 PM Ignore Bhmf4 Report Abuse Great mileage is great only if we can afford the car.
ron98146 Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,579 Points:963,355 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:15:41 PM Ignore ron98146 Report Abuse good observation WillyG
unemployed58 Veteran Author Montreal Posts:250 Points:64,145 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:14:39 PM Ignore unemployed58 Report Abuse we want cheaper
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,835 Points:1,468,020 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:13:36 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse We want stronger!
camk428 Rookie Author Kansas City Posts:37 Points:31,085 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:11:09 PM Ignore camk428 Report Abuse When their useful life is over you can crush them under your foot like a pop can.
dad2two Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,525 Points:746,620 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:10:19 PM Ignore dad2two Report Abuse Hopefully, it will protect occupants just as well as steel...
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:4,573 Points:2,414,070 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:08:53 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse Interesting.
NightRider Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,384 Points:75,395 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:03:06 PM Ignore NightRider Report Abuse Go-carts covered in cotton fabric are light.
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busdude2 Champion Author Florida Posts:7,934 Points:1,487,385 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 4:00:01 PM Ignore busdude2 Report Abuse 11122233
TimTim All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:553 Points:1,441,725 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2013 3:57:52 PM Ignore TimTim Report Abuse Good job, GM. :)